kicker location

[beckoning]

Prior 19' had the kicker on port. Replacement boat best location is starboard. Does starboard vs port side kicker location present a particular problem? Or, like port pushing to starboard, does starboard push to port? So it's just a steering compensation issue?

 

[cyclops222]

I can tell you this fact about trolling motor locations.
A BOW mounted motor...PULLING... is the most efficient use of power. And smooth steering of a boat.
Especially in wind and current conditions.
Mabe direction of main prop rotation could determine which side is better.

 

[Thirsty Endgrain]

Depending on the boat it's a weight thing too, if my cockpit is starboard I'd probably want kicker on port.

 

[rolmops]

Depending on the boat it's a weight thing too, if my cockpit is starboard I'd probably want kicker on port.

Unless my fishing buddy is big and fat....

 

[JimS123]

My last 3 kickers were mounted stbd. Does it matter? Probably not. In my cases a port side boarding ladder made it the only choice.

Quite possibly the offset engine will tend to push to one side. Thus, having a connection to the main is a good idea. I make my own using QD fittings and SS rod. My current setup is with an OB, but my last one used the I/O outdrive. With the extra "rudder" the control is fine.

View attachment 408680

 

[airshot]

Balance is probably the main reason, most helps are on the edge side so putting the kicker on the port helps keep things in balance, at least on my boat. Lots of folks create steering devices so they don't have to lean over the stern to steer. I have found that if my main engine has just the snag in the water, it will steer just fine when my little kicker is locked in straight forward. In fact, I had an electrical issue in my big motor and had to use my kicker to get back to the launch ramp. Stayed at the helm and just used the main motor to steer and played with what steered best at what angle. It was well over a 5 mile ride back to the launch, thru some narrow channels where steering was critical. Had no issue maneuvering all the way to the launch with just the skag of the main motor in the water to reduce the drag and keep my speed up..