In 2009 Ocean Kayak introduced their first motorized kayak, the Ocean Kayak Torque. Powered by a Minn Kota trolling motor, the Torque offers kayakers the ability to enjoy the sport of kayaking whether they be old, young, disabled, or seasoned pro. The Ocean Kayak Torque is built upon the proven Ocean Kayak Trident 13 platform, stable, versatile, and easy to operate. The Torque has a suitcase style trolling motor that slips easily into the molded area of the tankwell and provides a drop in skeg for those times when you want to paddle the kayak without the motor. An oversized rudder allows the Torque to make sharp turns and hands free operation of this kayak.

My Ocean Kayak Torque is powered by a blue top Optima high performance marine AGM battery. This is a sealed battery that allows for maintenance free operation, with longer charge life, survives more frequent charges, and is vibration resistant. A quality battery will allow you to operate your Ocean Kayak Torque for a full day of fishing and provide you with a roundtrip range of close to fifteen miles. Coupled with the MinnKota MKP-2 power prop, the Ocean Kayak Torque can reach speed of 5.5 mph. Faster than most kayakers can paddle, and maintain that speed for much further distances. 

Purists will argue that a motorized kayak defeats the purpose of owning a kayak, while outdoor purists will argue that maximizing your equipment to get the maximum enjoyment of the time you spend outdoors is all that matters. I fall somewhere in the middle. I love to paddle, enjoy the exercise and the simplicity of a kayak, a seat, and a paddle. However, living along the Gulf coast, frequent winds in excess of 15 mph, can take a toll on even a seasoned paddler. Days that would have been deemed too windy to paddle are now just another day on the water.

I love to introduce new people to the sport of kayaking. The Torque allows me to bring a novice along for the ride, without the worry. I can either put them in the Torque, or tow them along behind for the ride out and back in from our fishing destination. This allows me to introduce them to the sport without all the work. I can bring my three year old son along for trips, placing him in my lap. With my hands off the paddle, it allows me to safely hold on to him while we are on the water. My wife loves the water, but is not a big fan of paddling. The Torque allows me to take her along while giving her the independence to go where she wants to go. Sometimes my wife will just sit down in the tank well and we will take a drive along the coast enjoying the water. I have a saying I always share, “When you have a Torque, you always have friends”. Taxi service to and from fishing destinations is always appreciated.

My father is in his seventies. He purchased the Ocean Kayak Torque to allow him to keep up with us on kayaking adventures. Although he owns an Ocean Kayak Trident, paddles occasionally, the Torque provides him the comfort, safety, and endurance to keep up on a long day of kayaking. Being the first in our family to own a Torque, proves again that you don’t get to be his age without knowing a thing or two. It didn’t take long for my brother and I to realize he was on to something. Tired of asking him for rides back to the truck, we now have our own.

The Torque is also a great option for disabled people. Earlier this year I was involved in a serious car accident that left me with three fractures in my pelvis among other injuries. Six weeks after the accident I was back on the water, using my Torque to continue to enjoy the sport I love. I mixed in trips in the Torque with paddling to build back up my endurance. We often use our Torques on trips with disabled veterans of our armed services while volunteering for the nationally recognized injured veteran kayak program known as Heroes on the Water. This is a great platform to provide access to the sport for those who may not be able to paddle.
 

Photographers and bird enthusiasts will also gain an advantage using the Ocean Kayak Torque. Hands free, quiet operation, will allow the photographer to keep their hands on the camera while stalking their subject. There have been many times when I’ve cruised up to a flock of coastal birds, deer or other wildlife without spooking them at all. The Torque is quickly becoming the go to kayak for video shoots as well. Many times experienced camera operators are not experienced kayakers. The Torque allows them to concentrate on what they do best, shoot video, and provides them the stamina required for a full day video shoot.

The Torque is not just for the novice, elderly, or the disabled. The Ocean Kayak Torque is a proven platform for the seasoned pro as well. The Torque provides hands free fishing for those times when having your hands on the rod is more important than on the paddle. A slight reverse thrust of the trolling motor can slow or control your drift and make quick, quiet adjustments to your direction. The motor also allows you to slowly fish up current or slow troll a lure in the flush mount rod holders. The angler can make extremely long drifts across an open bay or lake, then use the trolling motor to return up wind and continue another long drift. Quiet and quick, the Ocean Kayak Torque allows you to chase schooling fish or work the birds without spooking them away.

Kayak fishing tournaments can sometimes be difficult to locate in your area. Many powerboat tournaments allow kayak entry and the Ocean Kayak Torque is a great platform for competing against the big boys on your local lake or bay system. Team Ocean Kayak has utilized the Torque to compete against some of the best coastal fishing guides in the country in the Galveston Redfish Series and Galveston Trophy Trout Series where kayaks are allowed and there are no restrictions on the use of a motor.