Kicker Set up for 1955 Sea Horses

Shakedownscott

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Jul 12, 2011
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Hello,

Just bought a 1955 5.5 Hp kicker motor to go with a 25 Hp big twin. I have been looking for a CD-12 kicker for quite a while, think it is going to look real nice when its all done. I am realy excited to have them both on the boat. After mounting both motors it became obvious that I would need to link them for steering or they would hit each other.

kicker 1.jpg

Even with them linked I don't think I will be able to get full swing of the motors. I think I need about 1/2 to 1" more distance between motors.

Right now I am planning on making linkage to join the two motors as sketched below.

kicker 2.jpg

Would it be Ok to shift the bigger motor over a bit for clearance or will thiss mess up how the boat handles? Other alternative would be to cut the corner brace of the boat shorter. I don't really like this idea, but would probably work.

What type of hardware do you use to make the linkage between motors? Any advise would be greatly appreciated.
 

Georgesalmon

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Re: Kicker Set up for 1955 Sea Horses

IMGP0805.JPGIMGP0806.JPGIMGP0807.JPG

Used two go kart tie rod ends and some SS 3/8" rod. Bent it with just a mapp gas torch and vise. Mine has a steering wheel but same idea I think.
 

Shakedownscott

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Re: Kicker Set up for 1955 Sea Horses

Thanks for the reply. It looks like you can disconnect the linkage by removing the pin? I want to make it so that I can easily take the link off.
 

Daviet

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Re: Kicker Set up for 1955 Sea Horses

As far as the distance between the engnes. Maybe you could mount a jackplate or a false transom to the back of the boat and move the engine over.
 

Georgesalmon

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Re: Kicker Set up for 1955 Sea Horses

Yeah, I remove the pins for travelling so I can tilt up the kicker. Otherwise I would have the same problem with the motors hitting each other when turning. Though I have a little more room than you do I need both of them to turn at the same time to avoid banging them together. And, the "big" motor acts like a rudder when trolling and helps the boat maintain course and turn a little better.
 

Kris.J

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Re: Kicker Set up for 1955 Sea Horses

Cool Grateful Dead banner in the background Scott! :)
 

F_R

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Re: Kicker Set up for 1955 Sea Horses

shakedown, I see what your plans are for when you are running the kicker. But what do you plan to do when running the 25hp? Won't the 5.5hp when tilted up be in the way of steering the 25? I don't think you want the 5.5 to be dragging in the water when running the 25.

One way to do it is use a kicker mounting bracket.
 

Shakedownscott

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Re: Kicker Set up for 1955 Sea Horses

Thanks for all of the replies and advice.

The motor came with a kicker bracket. I tried it on the boat but it seems to put the motor way behind the boat.
kicker 3.jpgkicker 4.jpg

I am not sure if this is a better way to go or not. There is much more room to rotate the engines, especially if one is tilted. I don't really like the way it looks but I want it to operate correctly. I could also see myself throwing my back out trying to get this up or down while on the water.

I was able to move the motor over a bit, the transom clamp can straddle over the corner brace of the boat. I just need to make some sort of a shim for the other clamp.

kicker 5.jpg

I have more room to rotate the motors now. In looking at this closer it seems like there wil still be some limits to rotation. The smaller engine rotates on a tighter radius, so I think that is going to limit the larger motors range. I hope I can keep them connected and still tilt the motor for towing or running the 25 Hp,

kicker 6.jpg

I ordered a kit that comes with two quick connects that swivel on a ball stud and a connector rod. I guess some trial and error will be needed to see what kind of freedom of motion I get.

Any suggestions on whether to use the kicker bracket or not?

Thanks
 

Shakedownscott

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Re: Kicker Set up for 1955 Sea Horses

I was able to install the steering connecting rod without too much trouble. I had to make a few brakets to hook it up. Now it has pretty good travel even with one or the other motor tilted.

Got her out on the water today and she worked pretty good. There is plenty of travel for steering with the 25 Hp. On plane the kicker isn't in the water but does drag a bit at lower speeds.

kicker 7.jpg

I started the kicker for the first time since I got it. She was a little bit hard to start but ran ok once she was warmed up. At this point just happy to see it run.

kicker 8.jpg

It seemed like the kicker would cavitate at higher speeds either that or the prop is slipping. I haven't checked the water pump yet, so I didn't want to run it around too much. For now I am going to check over the ignition and then replace the impeller. Not looking forward to pulling off the powerhead, looks a bit rusted, but has to happen.

I will probably have to make a bracket to lower the kicker to keep it from cavitating or use the adjustable one that came with it. Looks like it should be low enough in the water?

kicker 9.jpg
 

Daviet

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Re: Kicker Set up for 1955 Sea Horses

Good job, looks like you are on your way to success.
 

kfa4303

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Re: Kicker Set up for 1955 Sea Horses

Great little matched pair. Glad you got the lef to right spacing figured out, but I think you're right about having to lower the kicker a few inches. Lookin' good. Keep us posted.
 

Georgesalmon

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Re: Kicker Set up for 1955 Sea Horses

Yeah, kicker looks a little bit high. Everything else looks really great though. Nice job on the steering to. Are you using the kicker for trolling or as a safety motor in case big motor fails? If the plan is for trolling for the most part you'll be OK just the way it is, though would be nice to be able to run her wide open if in trouble. My kicker has a four blade high thrust prop which helps it grab water better than your 2 blade one. Not all that sure about that because I'm no expert with props. Not sure you could even get that type of prop for your motor.
 

Shakedownscott

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Re: Kicker Set up for 1955 Sea Horses

Thanks for the replies and encouragement.

It would be nice if could just switch the prop and make it work. Other than the cavitation it came out just how I wanted it. I am going to try an remove the powerhead today and get a new impeller in her this week. Then I can drive it around a bit more to see if I can live with it as is,

I may put off making a false transom untill after boating season is over.
 
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