Can you put a kicker on fiberglass bass boats?

[saltfisher]

I got a 1988 basstracker 18' fiberglass boat. My buddy said he has a newer 9.9 hp engine he would sell me for a kicker. Reason is i do alot of trolling and have a 150 v6 black max and it sucks up the gas. A kicker would pay for itself in a few months. Is there anyway I can mount this to my boat? Doesnt look like there is alot of room with that 150 hangin back there. It would also be nice insurance since the 150 merc is a 1988. That way im not afraid to take it a little farther on nice days. If i find a picture of the back I will post to see what you guys think.

Thanks

EDIT: Here is a picture... Not of my boat, but the EXACT same boat, and motor....

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Can you put a kicker on fiberglass bass boats?

You can do almost anything you want if you are willing to throw enough time and money at it!

Seriously though it doesn't look like it will be too difficult to get a mount for the kicker--or if you are handy, fabricate one yourself. It looks like you would need one that mounts on the flat surface of the upper rear deck --like above the ladder but on the opposite side. Difficult to tell exactly from the photo but I think its do-able with a little planning. Nice winter project.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Can you put a kicker on fiberglass bass boats?

I dont see any reason why not. Remember it will add weight that must be taken into account and you may want to have a seperate fuel supply for it. Remember that the mount must be strong enough to take the weight and the force.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Can you put a kicker on fiberglass bass boats?

why not throw on of the new higher thrust electrics on the bow, with the wireless controls. it ain't no fun sitting in the back running a little troller.

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: Can you put a kicker on fiberglass bass boats?

why not throw on of the new higher thrust electrics on the bow, with the wireless controls. it ain't no fun sitting in the back running a little troller.

You're absollutely right about being no fun sitting back there running a kicker. You can get remote controls for a lot of kickers, and also steering links. Just a thought.

 

[gotboostedvr6]

Re: Can you put a kicker on fiberglass bass boats?

I would get a smaller outboard the 9.9 is a bit heavy for your intended purpose.

a 6 hp outboard would weigh half or less the weight of the 9.9.

if the transom lis angled on the sides you will need to make a angled bracket to properly mount the kicker..

i would use a removable tie bar from the main power to the tiller. mount it so it will work with the outboard tilted out of the water to reduce drag .

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Can you put a kicker on fiberglass bass boats?

I used to have one of those and they are very weight sensitive. I think you will have handling issues if you do it.

 

[saltfisher]

Re: Can you put a kicker on fiberglass bass boats?

Yes I figured that. I guess i will just get maybe a 101lb thrust trolling motor and use that. Maybe a 80# would be nice too.

 

[rangerkess]

Re: Can you put a kicker on fiberglass bass boats?

I have the same question for a Ranger 361V. The back is curved with not much room. Does anyone a have a pic of a custom bracket they have used for this application? Thanks for the help

 

[j_martin]

Re: Can you put a kicker on fiberglass bass boats?

I wasn't around when this one first came up. The flat part on the back of a bass boat is the transom. When it curves around, it's only fiberglass, and there's no wood there. It's probably strong enough to mount a small motor provided you don't accidentally leave it down when you fire the main monster up.

For the kind of money and monkey business, it'd be better to put a high torque trolling motor on the front with remote control, or even gps control. Then you could set it on a trolling course and run around on the boat like a little kid.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Can you put a kicker on fiberglass bass boats?

Wow, this thread came back from the dead !!!!

 

[rangerkess]

Re: Can you put a kicker on fiberglass bass boats?

I wasn't around when this one first came up. The flat part on the back of a bass boat is the transom. When it curves around, it's only fiberglass, and there's no wood there. It's probably strong enough to mount a small motor provided you don't accidentally leave it down when you fire the main monster up.

For the kind of money and monkey business, it'd be better to put a high torque trolling motor on the front with remote control, or even gps control. Then you could set it on a trolling course and run around on the boat like a little kid.

I agree that would have its advantages. I have a good 24V trolling motor but I live near a lot of lakes that are 10 or 25 HP limit lakes. Some are good size and very good fisheries. I wanted my cake and eat it to with the 150HP to get me around onn big lakes and a 9.9 for these smaller limit ones

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Can you put a kicker on fiberglass bass boats?

Since there are so many different shapes for for the stern on bass boats, you would most likely need to have one made to fit your boat. You can support the inside of that area on the transom so it will take the load if its not up to it from the factory.