Kicker mounting question

[Fistful]

I recently purchased a new to me 21ft Sportcraft with a 9.9hp Mercury Bigfoot (year 2000), complete with controls at the helm and an ez-steer set-up. Having always trolled off the main engine on my old boat I am trying to quickly learn a thing or two prior to my maiden voyage.

First question: Having played around with it in the garage, I have noticed it is extremely difficult to "release" and lower the engine on the Garelick 4 stroke bracket. We almost always have to have someone on the ground relieving the load by tilting the shaft upward (not possible on the water . Am I doing something wrong? Seems like this should be much easier that it has been for me.

Second question: When in the "up position" for motoring to a spot, the skeg and part of the prop appear to be below the trim tab level i.e. in the water. Is this normal for most kicker applications? Do most people also trim the kicker up out of the water?

Thanks in advance.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Kicker mounting question

In my humble 45 years of owning a boat, I have come to the conclusion that "most people" do most things wrong. Thus, don't always follow the masses.

I have used a Garelick mount in the past, as well as another brand, the name of which I can't remember. I sold both after a month because I didn't like them. Now I use an OMC bracket, powered by a nitrogen gas filled cylinder. Slick as a whistle. Little effort to get the motor up or down, and it locks in place very securely. Sadly, they don't make them any more. Two years ago I found a NOS unit on E-Bay and I snapped it up quick just to have a backup if I ever wanted one in the future. They are that good! It cost double what a new model cost, and 4 x what i paid for the first one, but it was worth it. My suggestion would be to contact Garelick on the phone and ask for operating instructions.

My kicker bracket is adjusted so the skeg is just above the bottom of the boat when "up", and the prop is just below the bottom when "down". I believe most brackets have about an 11" travel, thus the best operation with a bracket requires a short shaft motor. If you go with a long shaft the motor may be too low when up unless the transom is quite tall.

When running at plane with the kicker up, there is no problem. When at displacement speed the prop will drag in the water. Just leave her in neutral and there should be no problem. If you tilt the motor up on the bracket when running, you're asking for a crack in the transom around your bracket mounting bolts, or a crack in the mount. Just like running an outboard up on a trailer without a transom saver.