Rigging a Kicker Motor?

[punch1]

I have a Crestliner SportFish 1750 with a Mercury 125 motor. I went to my local dealer and inquired about a kicker motor for this boat and was surprised at his reccomendations. He reccomended that I put a Mercury 6HP motor on the back and forget about the electric start, remote throttle/shift and do nothing about the steering. <br /><br />His rational was that a 6HP was more than adequate to troll a boat my size. As for the electric start, Mercury does not make electric start for a 6HP and only offer it on 9.9HP motors and up. He also said the remote throttle/shift could be installed for $400-$500 and probably wasn't worth the price because he said a person doesn't adjust those controls often once set. He also had questions about the boat having enough room for the second control. <br /><br />Finally, as far as the steering, he said that no steering hook up is needed because when trolling, the little adjustements needed could be made by steering the big motor which acts as a rudder and is capable of making the minor left to right moves. <br /><br />The upside of this is that his set-up would run about $1400 versus the $3400 for a Mercury Bigfoot 9.9HP with electric start, remote throttle/shift, steering capability and power trim/tilt. <br /><br />What do you guys think? My concern is the horsepower and making sure 6HP is enough to move my boat. I can't ever add electric start either. But I can always add the remote throttle/shift and steering linkage. Any reccomendations?

 

[Backlash]

Re: Rigging a Kicker Motor?

Hey Punch1,<br />I'd pretty much agree with most of what your dealer has told you.....except regarding the steering. I would link the kicker to the big motor so that when you turn the wheel, both motors turn. As far as horsepower goes, it all depends upon how fast you normally troll. A 6 HP seems a bit low to me. You'd be happier with the 9.9 IMHO.<br />Backlash

 

[Yepblaze]

Re: Rigging a Kicker Motor?

I run a similar setup. Works just fine except against side winds. I suppose a steering connector rod would be somewhat helpfull for that.

 

[trevorcday]

Re: Rigging a Kicker Motor?

The mercury electric start kit fits 6 to 9.9 hp. The kit sells for about $265 Canadian plus installation, which translates to $165 US. It also gives you a little charging system. If you really want to get fancy merc also has a power trim kit that fits these motos as well (approx $500 CDN). If you are concerned about the power from the 6hp maybe an 8 would be a better choice. They use the same powerhead which is a smaller displacement than the 9.9 and 15. The 6 and 8 tend to troll down better.<br /><br />There are al kinds of steerning links on the market the biggest problem is getting one that allows you to tilt the two motors independantly. This sounds simple but it is not. A really nice way to do this is to install a dual cable steering system with one cable going to each motor. This may or may not work depending on your transom.<br /><br />Good luck

 

[Fouled Plug]

Re: Rigging a Kicker Motor?

I run a 17' boat, and have a 9.9 kicker. It is used mostly for trolling, but also as 'insurance' in case the main conks. The main engine makes a fine rudder in most conditions, but a rod linking motors is a better idea. A 6 might be OK power, but I prefer the thrust/speed of the 9.9 unit. Also, when it comes to back-up power, keep it simple. Even with a charging coil a 6 would take a long time to recharge the main's battery(s) IF they were still servicable. There is something to be said for a propulsion unit that is totally self contained (fuel, electrics, controls) when the main is FUBAR. I run in remote areas, and want a backup that has nothing to do with the main's fuel or electric system in case I need to stay off the rocks.

 

[Bear]

Re: Rigging a Kicker Motor?

to [URL=http://www.ezsteer.com[/URL]]www.ezsteer.com[/URL] <br /><br />Here is a link for you (or anyone else reading).<br /><br />You might consisider one of those high trust sailboat propellers for the kicker.<br /><br />/Bear

 

[Bear]

Re: Rigging a Kicker Motor?

To <A HREF="http://www.ezsteer.com" TARGET=_blank>www.ezsteer.com[/URL]</A> <br /><br />I'll just try the link againg.<br /><br />High trust i very reliable? High thrust is what I meant. <br />Sorry for posting twice.<br /><br />/Bear

 

[Bob O]

Re: Rigging a Kicker Motor?

I have been looking at the 4 stroke Yamaha T8. It is specifically designed for slow trolling a big boat. Although it is 8hp, it has a special oversize gear case and prop to give it the thrust of a much larger motor. It has reversible prop exhaust to give a better "bite" when backtrolling, heavy duty mounting brackets, built-in electric start and power tilt, and a 5 amp alternator. That can be very helpful if you run stuff off the starting battery (including live wells, radios, cell phone adaptors, depthfinders, GPS, navigation lights, etc.) while trolling with the main motor shut down. I think they run about $2500.

 

[araiha]

Re: Rigging a Kicker Motor?

If you are looking at budget, don't forget about the Tohatsu/Nissan. Same motor as the merc, but you can get it cheaper. I have a nissan 8 long shaft on my 23 ft boat w/dual Yamaha 90s. I bought mine in Canada, just above lake Champlain. It pushes this rig (well over 3000 without people/gear) at 6 knots wide open. Steering is lousy at 1-2 mph with a side wind over 10 knots. Have no linkage yet and steer with both main motors. Ideally I will go to a remote system for steering the troller so the big motors can't kiss the rocks when working a shoreline.

 

[FISH'N101]

Re: Rigging a Kicker Motor?

Howdee Punch1,<br />I have a 16.5 Crestliner fishhawk, a little lighter version of your boat with a 90hsp Johnson and 50# Minn Kota. According to Crestliner my boat is aboat 300lbs lighter. I use a 9.9 manual start, tiller, Merc 2-stroke. It is more power than I need for fishing but I wanted a little more power as a backup motor. Sometimes I need to use a sea anchor to slow down my troll. <br /><br />I do steer my boat, in reasonably calm conditions, with the big motor as a rudder. It won't make major steering adjustments but will make suttle changes nicely. I use an extension handle on the 9.9 and make larger adjustments with it as needed. The e-z steer is a great system if you spend a lot of time trolling. My motor is very easy to start, allowing me to believe the electric start might not be necessary on a 9.9 or smaller. The extra charging system has merit. I would rather error on the side of a little too much than not quite enough power, especially if you spend anytime on bigger water.<br /><br />Good Luck

 

[trevorcday]

Re: Rigging a Kicker Motor?

The merc 9.9 4-stroke uses a Yamaha powerhead. The 2-stroke is a Merc. Tohatsu builds the 1 cylinder 2 and 4 strokes.

 

[jimmie7700]

Re: Rigging a Kicker Motor?

How do you recommend plumbing the 4 stroke kicker to the main tank?