How I Motorized My NuCanoe Unlimited
If you’re a kayak angler who’s tired of paddling against current or wind, then motorizing your kayak might be your next game-changing upgrade. In this post, I’ll walk you through how I installed a Bixpy Jet motor on my NuCanoe Unlimited fishing kayak using the NuCanoe QuickConnect Transom Assembly and QuickConnect Motor Mount.
I picked up this entire setup here in Tampa Bay, Florida from Canoe Country Outfitters, and the install process was a lot easier than you might think.
Step 1: Installing the QuickConnect Transom Assembly
The first thing I tackled was mounting the NuCanoe QuickConnect transom assembly to the back of the Unlimited. The boat already comes with gear tracks installed, making the process super straightforward. If you’ve ever worked with track mounts before—like the ones on my older NuCanoe Pursuit—you’ll appreciate how modular and customizable these kayaks really are.
So far, the transom install has been smooth. I secured it to the rear gear tracks and moved on to the next step: mounting the motor.
Step 2: Attaching the QuickConnect Motor Mount
This is where things get fun. The QuickConnect motor mount is probably one of my favorite pieces in this setup because of how easy it makes motor removal. With just a pull of a pin, I can take the entire motor unit off of the kayak.
To fit the Bixpy Jet onto the motor mount, I used the included spacers/washers to clamp the shaft snugly. The design makes it simple to adjust motor height in the water, which is super helpful when dialing in performance.
Step 3: Setting Up the Motor Pulley System
One of the best features of this build is the paracord pulley system. If you’ve ever had to manually lift a motor out of the water from inside your kayak, you know how annoying that can be — especially in shallow areas.
NuCanoe’s pulley kit is a simple yet brilliant solution. It uses a few small pulleys and a paracord routed through to the top of the motor bracket. With a quick pull, the motor lifts out of the water, and releasing the tension drops it back in. Smooth, simple, and it works flawlessly.
Final Adjustments & On-the-Water Impressions
Once everything was tightened down and adjusted, I hit the water. The Bixpy performed exactly as expected—quiet, efficient, and easy to control. And with the QuickConnect system, I can break down the motor setup in under a minute when I’m done fishing.
Overall, I’m super impressed with how user-friendly this whole build was. Even if you’ve never added a motor to a kayak before, this is a great entry point.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re looking to upgrade your kayak for longer adventures, hit more fishing spots, or just give your arms a break, a motorized setup like this can completely transform your experience on the water.
Thanks for reading, and I hope this post helps you with your own NuCanoe build. Tight lines!