NK300 is King of Kayak Motors - but how does the NK180PRO Stack up

TJ Russel of Kayak USA put the NK300 up against the NK180PRO to see what all the fuss is about from tournament anglers who have fallen in love with the NK300 as a competitive tool.  This is one of the best on the water dissections we've seen. 

You'll know EXACTLY what to buy after you watch this!

When we talk about the NK300, we’re not just throwing out specs—we’re talking about real-world performance that anglers can count on. And in this latest video from TJ Russell of Kayak USA, you get to see that performance for yourself, in the wild, not a showroom.

This isn’t a controlled tank test or a trimmed-down rig. It’s TJ’s fully loaded Hobie Pro Angler 14 with dual motors, dual batteries, a full fishing rig-out, and a legit on-the-water comparison between the NK300 and the new NK180 Pro.

And what the NK300 delivers? ULTIMATE Power, torque, and envious range that just speaks for itself.

Real Boats. Real Load. Real Conditions.

TJ set out to compare the NK300 to the NK180 Pro side by side. His Hobie, a battleship of a kayak by any standard, carries all the bells and whistles: tackle, electronics, a bow-mounted MotorGuide, and even a secondary battery setup. He puts it against a brand-new, unrigged Bonafide PWR 129 equipped with the NK180PRO, captained by his (much lighter) wife.

What’s the difference? A heavy-duty platform powered by brute strength versus a lightweight craft pushed by an ultra versatile and lightweight version of the big brother. And while both motors shine in their own right, this test shows what the NK300 was built for: handling weight, smashing distance runs, and putting torque to the water like no other kayak motor has done before.

Power That Pulls Ahead

At just 7% throttle, the NK300 quietly cruises past the 180 Pro running at nearly 20%. That’s the kind of efficient torque you feel instantly. When TJ and his wife line up for an on-the-water drag race, the NK300 puts on a clinic—even pushing a heavy load, with drag, at partial power.

This isn’t just about speed; it’s about consistent thrust, ability to take on nasty conditions, and staying out longer - without compromise.

The Takeaway

If you’re you just want to go really fast, or if you're running a big heavy kayak, loaded with gear and multiple electronics—the NK300 is your motor. No fluff, no theory. Just real life footage from the water that shows what it can do.