Mount kicker motor port or starboard side?

[ricohman]

Eventually I am going to mount a kicker motor on my Starcraft Islander 221 i/o and it may well be later this winter.
The question is which side? I would have thought mounting it on the port side was best however now that I've been fishing with this boat I'm not convinced that is the best option.
This boat has a 48 gallon livewell on the port side which when full adds a considerable amount of weight. Put a passenger on that side and the boat definately is heavy on that side.
I am going to mount another battery on the starboard side and I would like to put the kicker there as well. Does it really make a difference which side or is the side choosen on how the boat is loaded and used?
All the kickers I saw this summer were on the port side.

 

[sly_karma]

Re: Mount kicker motor port or starboard side?

I was planning to go port side too, since I often operate my boat on my own. Kicker and battery weight offset the driver weight (almost...). I will watch this thread to see what the real answer is.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Mount kicker motor port or starboard side?

Which side do you want it on. 48 gallons of water is roughly 350#. A 9.9 Merc is 69# plus 10# worth of bracket. Besides, if you have a list problem, move something to the other side.

Mark

 

[cr2k]

Re: Mount kicker motor port or starboard side?

I would say that over 90% of what I have installed, worked on or seen have been on the Port side. I think the tiller handle would interfere with the main engine if it were on the Starboard.

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: Mount kicker motor port or starboard side?

Mine is on the starboard side, but that's because the swim platform/ladder is on the port side!

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: Mount kicker motor port or starboard side?

I think you'll see most kickers are mounted on the port side as the tiller usually comes out on the left (port) side of the engine. You'll also want to consider your fuel supply (will it be your existing system or a temp tank?) Good Luck

 

[ricohman]

Re: Mount kicker motor port or starboard side?

My boat is an i/o. It also has a second pick up in the tank for the auxillary motor. The motor I am going to purchase does not come with a tiller so this isn't a concern.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Mount kicker motor port or starboard side?

I'm pretty sure most tiller kickers are on the port side, because it is much easier to operate.

Since you aren't going tiller, it doesn't matter.

If your boat is port heavy, put it on the starboard side.


Are you going to use an electric steering unit, or tie it to the outdrive with an EZ-Steer?



Are you really going to drill holes in your new transom?

 

[JEBar]

Re: Mount kicker motor port or starboard side?

Mine is on the starboard side, but that's because the swim platform/ladder is on the port side!

we are in the same boat (pardon the pun :redface .... with our dual console I sit on the starboard side and would like to put the kicker on the port side so as to partly counteract my weight ..... with the boats swim ladder that isn't possible .... that reality has been a prime motivator in our decision to also add Bennett Trim Tabs

Jim

 

[ricohman]

Re: Mount kicker motor port or starboard side?

I'm pretty sure most tiller kickers are on the port side, because it is much easier to operate.

Since you aren't going tiller, it doesn't matter.

If your boat is port heavy, put it on the starboard side.


Are you going to use an electric steering unit, or tie it to the outdrive with an EZ-Steer?



Are you really going to drill holes in your new transom?

I am going to tie it to the outdrive. And yes, I am going to drill some rather large holes in my new hull. At least it will have a fresh new coat of paint next spring (going back to the factory for warranty work) so I can have that "I'm drilling holes in my new hull!" feeling.
The boat is only port heavy with that livewell filled. And since this is a fishing boat, the live well is nearly always used. I think another battery to starboard will help balance the motor when the well is empty.
The 9.9 prokicker is 96lbs. A battery is about 30+ lbs so thats only a 60lb difference.