Kicker

[garywayner]

I have just installed a Honda four stroke 9.9 kicker on my boat, however, it does not have electric tilt and therefore, is almost impossible to tilt up when it is in the water. Can I leave the motor down when using the main motor or does it have to be tilted up? I am not sure, as when you are pulling it thru the water with the main motor the prop will always be turning, so could this cause a problem to have the prop turning without the motor running? I guess the prop might also be turning at a higher speed then it might be designed to when running the main motor?

Any help would be great.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Kicker

Why can you not tilt it. Is it too heavy or just plain awkward. The kicker prop will not turn if you leave it in gear but that will only cause more drag.
Can you not put some kind of "assist bar" in place somewhere to help you tilt it ?
Photo would be helpfull

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Kicker

welcome to iboats, in a single word, its going to be HORRIBLE. will probably effect, planing, steering, trim, cause water wash up the tramsom and over the engine. this will help with the tilting. if not room to tilt, add a setback plate.

http://www.aquamasters.com/leverbar.htm

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Kicker

Correct me if I am wrong, but I think he is saying there is no way to keep it tilted.

 

[Frugal Floater]

Re: Kicker

I just installed an adustable bracket for my kicker...I am hoping I only have to raise the motor (not tilt) when using my main motor.

If kicker prop is above the main motor cavitation plate when raised up, I should be good once on plane...right?

 

[garywayner]

Re: Kicker

Thanks for the link, tashasdaddy. Without something like that bar, it would be just about impossible to tilt it up because of the weight, as you have to lift it from the lower unit (hard to do in the water). I will try later today to get some pictures.
Thanks,
Gary

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Kicker

It sounds to me like you need to get a bracket that lifts electrically/hydraulically. Your really do not want to drag the motor, though I'll admit I have done it with mine on occasion and noticed no difference in performance (but water spraying everywhere was noticeable). Now, is the motor too heavy or too awkward to tilt? I used to manually tilt my 125 horse Merc, I can bet it weighes a bit more than a Honda kicker, so I am guessing the kicker location and design of boat makes it awkward to lean over the transom and tilt the kicker...

dsiedt, you want the kicker prop well above the hull bottom where it is at. You can't go by the anti-cav plate location of the main motor unless you have a perfectly flat hull bottom.

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Kicker

Thanks for the link, tashasdaddy. Without something like that bar, it would be just about impossible to tilt it up because of the weight, as you have to lift it from the lower unit (hard to do in the water). I will try later today to get some pictures.
Thanks,
Gary

You shouldn't need to grab the LU. Does you motor have a handle on the back of the cowling? That makes it real easy to lift the motor. If you don't have that handle, Tdaddies link won't help, as it uses that handle.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Kicker

bassboy, i've seen some of the older fisherman, who have bolted theres to the engine cowl. it ain't pretty but when you have arthritis, etc, they sure help. you have to remember your young strong, and nothings going to beat you. give it 35 years.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Kicker

I do not know the Honda but many motor have a lever that need to be put to tilt that release the motor to tilt. Also many have adjustable tension for tillting.
I have a 15 HP Johnson Kicker on my boat but I mounted it on one of the lift brakets. You can get lift brakets that will let you raise the whole motor. The brackets are aided by springs. Different brakets have bigger springs so you can get the right size to make it easy. My motor will tilt real easy but I do not like it tilted when running offshore. Bracket will raise the prop all the way our of the water at planeing speeds.