Re: Kicker Motor Mount
Mount it on the port side if there is no interference, and absolutely through bolt it. It needs to be a strong mount. When you drill the holes see how thick the transom is in that spot. Some I/Os only have the transom heavily beefed up near the outdrive. You may want to add a backer plate as well.
Determine the right location then measure 8 times before you drill. Mine is behind the steering cable but the holes are not that close together. Personally, I would want a short shaft motor to keep the weight to a minimum. Mount the bracket as high as it will go under the rubrail using the bottom mounting holes. Then if you need to lower it you have room to move. Mount it, try it, then disassemble and seal the holes.
You're not going to plane the boat, so the position of the cavitation plate is not as critical as the main engine. Just be sure the entire propeller is below the bottom of the boat when in the down position. Ideally it should be completely out of the water when up.
Chose a mount that is heavier duty than you need. I have used several and I found most to be junk. They bounce around too much to suit me. Look on Ebay for an OMC mount with the gas cylinder. There is no better product, but they don't make them any more. I got a NOS OMC last year, although I paid double what it cost new. I bought it to replace an old OMC mount that had finally showed signs of wear after 25 years use.
If you add an EZSteer you can steer the kicker with the main engine pretty handily.
