Kicker motor tiller steering

[vandy21]

I am looking into buying a kicker motor for my 18 foot bayliner capri. First off i was thinking between 5-10hp, would this be a correct amount of power for a back up/ trolling motor? also, if it was just being used for occasional use would a tiller do, or should i hook it up to my main steering controls?

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Kicker motor tiller steering

O.K. for trolling but it will be a very long ride home if you rely on it for back up.

 

[Frugal Floater]

Re: Kicker motor tiller steering

I just purchased a kicker so I could get on a few limited HP lakes in PA...I bought a 5HP Tohatsu (same as Mercury) online for $1100 including tax and shipping. Since your not going to plane with a kicker, I would not spend the extra money on more than 5-8 HP as you won't go faster than hull speed. I also purchased a new stainless 12" adjustable bracket on ebay ($120 and rated for up to 20hp) and had it bolted to my transom. This allows me to lift the motor well out of the water when not in use and the mechanical assist required no effort lifting it. For steering, you have the following options:

1. EZ-Steer
Pros- EZ to install and stays connected no matter which motor is up/down
Cons- Expensive and not very nice to look at.

2. Use outdrive as rudder and lock kicker straight
Pros- Free
Cons- May not work too well in windy weather or when moving slowly (docking). You may have to lean back to reach tiller unless you get an extension.

3. Clamp on u-joint tiller handle extension
Pros- $50 bucks and you have throttle controll
Cons- Can't shift into reverse/neutral without leaning over to the kicker

Trollmaster throttle control coupled with EZ steer is nice, but expensive and Trollmaster is not waterproof (why they would make it like that, I don't know).

I went with option 3 to see how it performs and may go with EZ steer in the future.

 

[vandy21]

Re: Kicker motor tiller steering

thanks alot for all the info

 

[Frugal Floater]

Re: Kicker motor tiller steering

BTW-

I see you live in PA...If you live in the Pittsburgh area, RT 8 marine installed my kicker, bracket, and tied in the kicker fuel line with valve for $300...That even included registration on boat and trailer...They did a great job.

 

[vandy21]

Re: Kicker motor tiller steering

thanks but i live in state college. i have heard there are a few good boat shops near raystown so ill look into that.

 

[vandy21]

Re: Kicker motor tiller steering

im thinking of going with a gamefisher 7.5 hp motor, i found one for a good price that is close by. does anyone know if this would be a good kicker motor? anything good or bad about it?

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Kicker motor tiller steering

The one thing with kicker motors used just as backup is they don't get much use. Sitting unrun is the worst kind of wear for an OB. If it gets commonly used for trolling, or on a little boat it is fine, but if it is just for when the big one pukes, it probably wont work either. Some gamefishers are made by force, and I would recommend a Johnnyrude, but there are people on this board who are more experienced with this subject, and could give better advise.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Kicker motor tiller steering

Like bassboy says if a kicker is used for back up only if the main motor has issues you may be in for a suprise when it doesn't go !!
If that is what it is mainly for then run it regularly for the heck of it so you know what you have with you.

 

[Frugal Floater]

Re: Kicker motor tiller steering

Gamefisher= Junk

Better off buying a used outboard that has reliability or buying a set of oars. I never owned one, but there are so many posts with people complaining about these motors and a little research will highlight the reason why they are so cheap....I am thrifty, but I saw little value in buying a Gamefisher unless it is a rebadged Merc....I don't think anyone on this forum would consider buying a Gamefisher outboard...Although I have been wrong...once...that is because I thought I was wrong

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Kicker motor tiller steering

unless it is a rebadged Merc

That is reason enough not to buy one. OMC all the way.

 

[vandy21]

Re: Kicker motor tiller steering

ha well thanks for all the info, yeah i am a little hesitant about the gamefisher as well. i'm more in the market for a Evinrude or johnson, or mercury or some bigger more trusted brand. The motor would get a fair amount of use as a trolling motor also as one of the main functions of the boat is to fish.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Kicker motor tiller steering

Good luck with it and please let us all know how you make out with it.

 

[Frugal Floater]

Re: Kicker motor tiller steering

If the places you boat do not have HP restrictions, then have you considered electric trolling motors? They have some that mount to your outboard so you can steer with your outdrive....Why gas?

 

[vandy21]

Re: Kicker motor tiller steering

yeah mainly where i am going to boat there is no hp restriction, but i would like to be able to boat at other lake where there is. I know nothing about electronic trolling motors except that they look very slow to me. Is this true? In the event that my main motor would die, i would not like to spend 3 hours getting back to shore haha.

 

[Frugal Floater]

Re: Kicker motor tiller steering

Then gas is the way to go...Using an electric trolling for this purpose will require you to pay for a big 24 volt motor that will be near the cost of a gas motor...New 24 volt motors will get you going at a few mph, but you always have to worry about running out of juice.

 

[vandy21]

Re: Kicker motor tiller steering

thats what i was figuring, but i love this 24hr support haha

 

[gss036]

Re: Kicker motor tiller steering

Buy yourself a 8-9.9 hp Honda or Yamaha and you will have a very dependale motor that will always get you home and provide all the trolling you will ever need or want.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Kicker motor tiller steering

I've seen plenty of Bayliner Capri's and for the life of me I have no idea where you're going to hang it.

 

[vandy21]

Re: Kicker motor tiller steering

I have seen capri's with them mounted on the port side of the transom. Would this be correct or or are people just improperly mounting them?