The BOTE APEX Pedal Drive: An In-Depth Look

With the BOTE APEX Pedal Drive, getting from Point A to Point B on the water has never been easier. In other words, the APEX Pedal Drive is a revolutionary accessory that’ll transform your LONO Aero or Rackham 12′4″ into a hands-free, pedal-powered watercraft in no time flat.

Say goodbye to clunky steering systems and constant juggling acts between paddle and rod, and hello to the APEX Pedal Drive.

Second, the APEX Pedal Drive allows for no-touch forward movement and reverse power. Want to go forward? Simply pedal in a natural forward motion. Ready to reverse? Switch to pedaling backwards. It’s that simple. The foot platform of the pedals themselves is super wide with secure straps built for all-day comfort.

Third, the rudder system is as intricately complex and thoughtfully considered as it is super simple and straightforward to use. It can be easily installed in minutes, allowing you to get on the water in no time. And the steering rudder is spring-loaded so you won’t have to worry about hitting debris or scraping in the shallows — the rudder kicks up and keeps from getting stuck or damaged. Not to mention the steering system is super intuitive — because, you know, shouldn’t you just have to turn right to go right, and left to go left?

All in all, the APEX Pedal Drive is a fast, maneuverable, and easy to use kayak propeller.

the benefits of the apex pedal drive

The most obvious thing that makes an APEX Pedal Drive-equipped watercraft great and differentiates it from a regular inflatable kayak or SUP is the inherent hands-free nature of it all. With free hands comes great opportunity. You can pedal and steer (and even reverse) with your feet while your hands are freed up to sip on a BOTE Beer or cast a trolling line or even whip out those birding binoculars.

Another benefit of the APEX Pedal Drive is its sheer speed. With the 10:1 gear ratio, you’ll be able to cut through the water with incredible quickness and efficiency. So, whether you’re trying to go long distances in a short window of time or wanting to speed things up to better troll for fish, the APEX Pedal Drive can transform your kayaking experience into a very speedy thing indeed.

The rudder system is a super streamlined and intuitive device to control and steer the kayak. Both the LONO Aero and the Rackham Aero 12′4″ (more on these shortly) have two mounting points on either side of the paddler. The rudder steering seamlessly slides in and out of these mounting points, and the hand-steer is connected to the rudder via a steering cable that runs down the slide of the kayak or SUP and can be secured against the side with a velcro strap. The rudder then articulates true to position. So, if you want to go left, turn left. And if you want to go right — you guessed it — turn right. It’s that simple and that easy.

compatible bote products for the apex pedal drive

So, you’re ready to transform your regular inflatable kayak or SUP board into a pedal powered kayak or SUP? You’re in luck. BOTE offers a couple of different best-in-class pedal powered options.

LONO Aero + APEX•PD

First up, the LONO Aero is BOTE’s original fishing kayak. Recently reimagined with APEX PD compatibility, the LONO is the go-anywhere, do-anything adventure boat, and the “Ultimate Fishing Kayak.” Or, as BOTE CEO & Co-Founder Corey Cooper says, “The LONO is a portable, packable, badass, high-end, inflatable fishing kayak."

It’s tough as nails, super packable and portable, and crazy versatile. Not only does the LONO refuse to discriminate on what kind of adventures you want to take it on, but it also caters to a wide variety of paddle enthusiasts and their interests. Load it down with your kid or your dog, take it to a secret fishing hole a dozen miles downriver, or simply pedal around in your backyard backwaters. The choice is yours.

Apart, they are impressive. Together, they are incomparable.