Hor moving through a lake just by sitting in his battery-powered kayak without any need for physical exertion.
There are storms we cannot weather and waters where even the most seasoned kayaker struggles to paddle.
The word “kayak” originates from a term meaning “man’s boat” or “hunter’s boat”. Thought up by the Inuit over 4,000 years ago, its purpose remains timeless: to glide effortlessly across water. Just place it on the surface, hop in and go.
At a time when survival often depended on efficient hunting, the kayak was indispensable. Its design spread globally, becoming a vital watercraft for single-person transport.
However, as mechanisation advanced, so did the humble kayak.
A 2kg motor with propeller fitted into the slit on the kayak’s deck.
Enter Oscar Hor, 44, a kayaker whose craft is powered by a 24V, 100-amp-hour battery stored safely in a waterproof bag. All that juice is poured into a 2kg motor that drives a compact propeller.
This propeller is housed in a slot on the kayak’s deck, replacing the usual foot- pedal gear train.
Even before motors, many modern kayaks used pedals to leverage the power of leg muscles – far stronger than any upper-body equivalent – to propel propellers or flippers at speeds that no early Eskimo would have thought possible. This transforms kayaking into a more efficient and less strenuous experience.
Hor worked with his kayak manufacturer to fit a custom motor-propeller unit into the slot. They also devised a rudder handle with a thumb-operated toggle to control power output.
Hor steering and moving his kayak with one hand.
Now, he navigates with one hand on the rudder and uses his thumb to adjust his speed, which he tracks with a GPS.
Hor’s motorised kayak hits a maximum of 10kph. For comparison, seasoned paddlers on fishing kayaks typically reach 6kph, while those in high-speed sit-in kayaks can achieve up to 12kph – but only for short bursts.
With his set-up, Hor maintains an optimum speed for over 30km on a single battery charge.
“On lakes, a battery-powered kayak is a luxury, but at sea, it’s almost a necessity,” Hor said.
Hor’s 24V, 100-amp-hour battery kept in a waterproof bag.
His recent fishing forays off Port Dickson, a day trip from his home in Puchong, Selangor, highlight the benefits.
Using a fish-finder, he discovered trenches on the seabed, located 3-5km offshore and plunging 35m below the surface, compared to surrounding shallows of less than 20m.
“These trenches are where big fish lie in ambush, hiding from currents while waiting for prey,” he explained.
“But paddling there isn’t easy. Even if you’re fit, it takes time. Once you start fishing, currents and wind quickly push you away, forcing you to paddle back repeatedly.”
While traditionalists may enjoy the upper-body workout of paddling, Hor’s motorised kayak offers a blend of speed and simplicity.
Whether fishing or exploring, embracing a little modern tech can turn any kayaking trip into an effortless adventure.
