Kicker bracket location

[Wingedwheel]

I have a 16' Mirrocraft Pro-fisherman with a 40HP Merc. I'd like to mount a smaller 6hp on a kicker bracket. How do I determine where to locate the bracket? Any tips would be very welcome.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Kicker bracket location

Don't do it! Your transom look to be wide enough to mount the kicker right on it. May need to shim it up a bit. A transom mount is always better than a bracket.

If you insist on a bracket, mount it stbd side if possible, because the kicker will be easier to start and run. Regardless, the "best" place is where there are no obstructions on the other side that would provent access for mounting bolts.

For an OB, a port mounting location might be the only way since there won't be a steering cable in the way.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Kicker bracket location

If your boat is rated for 40 HP, you will technically be overpowered with the addition of a kicker. Just sayin'...

 

[Wingedwheel]

Re: Kicker bracket location

The boat is rated for 85hp. I'd like about 60 but it's the motor that was on the boat and I'll make do. It is however a bit big to troll with. The transom isn't quite wide enough for the motors not to interfere with each other. I'm wanting to mount a 6hp next to the 40. I have a built in gas tank on the port side which may cause a problem with reaching the bolts, but I can't ever remember seeing a kicker mounted on the starboard side? Is there a reason they always mount them on the left?

 

[etracer68]

Re: Kicker bracket location

Heres a pic of my setup. When the motor bracket is all the way down the AV plate is a few (about 2) inchs below the bottom of the hull directly in front of the kicker. I also attatch, and quick disconect, to the main for steering. Its works good for my setup. It can get tricky to get at mounting bolts. You may have to remove things that are in the way. I had to make a custom steering bracket, but I'm a Tool Maker, so I have resorces.

 

[Wingedwheel]

Re: Kicker bracket location

Thanks etracer68, but I had to look at the pic like 6 times before I even saw the bracket! lol Can you post a pic of your steering set-up? I also have some resources and my steering rod is right there( the reason I can't mount directly to the transom) so that would be great. I think I'm gonna check out your boat again..hehehe

 

[JimS123]

Re: Kicker bracket location

but I can't ever remember seeing a kicker mounted on the starboard side? Is there a reason they always mount them on the left?

Because they either have an obstruction on the stbd side (like a gas tank), or they don't know what they are doing.

Tiller motors are operated by sitting on the stbd side of the boat. That's why the tiller is mounted on an angle toward the port side, and the recoil started is mounted to port. If you mount the motor on the stbd side it will be easier to use. Other than that, no other logical reason and it can be mounted either side.

Guess you never saw mine. One pic shows the motor on the transom, and the other pics show the detachable steering rod to steer with the main engine.

As I said before, your tansom is wide enough to mount a kicker - you just need to shim up the outboard side to make a level place to mount it. Put it outboard just far enough so both motors clear each other.

When I say "shim", I mean get a board the same thickness as the transom, cut it to the contour of the transom, then trim it off level so the motor will fit on it. Then bolt is securely to the transom.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Kicker bracket location

If your boat is rated for 40 HP, you will technically be overpowered with the addition of a kicker. Just sayin'...

this doesn't seem right. not that you'd ever run them at the same time, but I can't see a kicker doing anything but spray water when the main is at WOT and on a plane.

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Kicker bracket location

This is how I did it. Not an aluminum boat.



Lots of ways to mount a kicker. This is my way. Kicker is on STBD side for ease of netting fish for right handers. No other reason. I did have to raise the kicker with an AL bracket to clear the main eng steering.

 

[SteveMcD]

Re: Kicker bracket location

this doesn't seem right. not that you'd ever run them at the same time, but I can't see a kicker doing anything but spray water when the main is at WOT and on a plane.

They make raise/lower brackets

 

[Wingedwheel]

Re: Kicker bracket location

Ok guys thanks for the comments. This is the bracket I'm going to mount. I want to mount it on the left(port) side and I think I read that if I can see the whole prop under the boat viewing it from the front I should be fine. I just re-worked the whole bracket, made a new board and bought new stainless mounting hardware.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Kicker bracket location

I assumed they were typically mounted on the port side due to the weight offsetting the driver (if solo). I just mounted mine on the starboard side since I had a swim platform on the port. Glad to know it's not a big deal or a problem. Nice steering setup gleorgesalmon! I've still got that part to work out yet. http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/New Boat/IMG_20120515_183130.jpg

 

[Wingedwheel]

Re: Kicker bracket location



I looked at every angle possible and am still a little stumped. jims123, I put the motor on the transom and yes there is enough room, but in the pic you can see the steering bar hitting the clamp bracket on the kicker. In the next couple of pics I clamped the bracket where I'd like to mount it, but I don't know if this is a good idea? It seems the bracket might be a little low in the down position but this is something I know nothing about. Any suggestions?

 

[snowman48047]

Re: Kicker bracket location

I have the exact same steering set up on my Lund. My steering bar hit the kicker if I mounted it on port side just like in your pics so I moved it to starboard. No issues at all. I have the steering link like GeorgeSalmon posted in his pics. Works like a charm. You don't want to mount yours too low or too high. Get it wherever it fits and the height is correct.

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Kicker bracket location

Like the looks of it mounted right on the transom. Looks like plenty of prop in the water. I think you should make something to raise the motor up just above the main eng steering looks like you have enough prop depth to do that. I think it is also much easier to do the steering when the motor is more inline with the main engine. The mounting bracket puts your kicker way back.

Since my kicker is a 4 stroke and main eng a 2 stroke I had to use a seperate fuel supply for the kicker. I put the 6gal kicker tank opposite the kicker and since it is futher to the port side than the kicker is to the starboard side it offset the weight nicely and boat floats level. I also put the kicker tank way forward and was worried about pulling fuel through 25' of hose, but it works fine. That was all just luck but it worked!

 

[JimS123]

Re: Kicker bracket location

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I looked at every angle possible and am still a little stumped. jims123, I put the motor on the transom and yes there is enough room, but in the pic you can see the steering bar hitting the clamp bracket on the kicker. In the next couple of pics I clamped the bracket where I'd like to mount it, but I don't know if this is a good idea? It seems the bracket might be a little low in the down position but this is something I know nothing about. Any suggestions?

If you mount it stbd. and it clears the steering cable put it there. Otherwise, shim the transom just enough so that the kicker's bracket clears the cable. Be sure that the clamp brackets firmly grip the transom. Also, thru-bolt the motor no matter where you put it. If the motor is not drilled for mounting bolts, just fine a clever spot to use SS u-bolts.

Your OB bracket is the best one that was ever made. I've owned 2 of them after having thrown away several competitive brands. However, your transom is cut out too far to use it properly. You are right - it would be too low in the water. That's why I advised a transom mount in my first post.

 

[Wingedwheel]

Re: Kicker bracket location

Thanks guys I appreciate all the feedback. I would love to mount it starboard as it would solve everything, but it puts the steering cable in a bind. Seems like the main outboard steering is my major issue. Jim, I'm going to see what it would take to possibly shim it up, but I can't go over any farther or I bump the edge of the splash-well. I guess I could use this as an excuse to get a bigger boat

 

[catfishcarl99]

Re: Kicker bracket location

good thread guys. i have a 5.5 evinrude in debating on using as a kicker or selling. i have the same rod steering on my 89 50hp force. learning everyday.

 

[Wingedwheel]

Re: Kicker bracket location

OK, I looked at every angle, to put the motor on the transon either port or starboard creates a problem with the steering. I mount the bracket and aside from pulling my gas tank, which isn't that big of a problem, I'm not thrilled about how deep the kicker would be in the down position. I have a few idea's though and perhaps I can fabricate a bracket that off-set's the kicker motor off the transom without changing the height.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Kicker bracket location

If your boat is rated for 40 HP, you will technically be overpowered with the addition of a kicker. Just sayin'...

this doesn't seem right. not that you'd ever run them at the same time, but I can't see a kicker doing anything but spray water when the main is at WOT and on a plane.

I thought it odd also, but my info is straight from the Coast Guard.

To the OP: I'm curious how your boat performs with less than 50% of rated horsepower. The conventional wisdom is that you should have no less than 70% of the rating.