Kicker options and mounting advice

[IRBFishin]

I don't post often but need to now. I have a 1998 Fisher (Tracker/Nitro) F-18 F/S with a 150 Opti and 56lb thrust bow mount. A great family and fishing boat. However, I do my share of trolling for trout and salmon and especially like to take the kids to the lake a few times a year and troll for stocked rainbows. The electric is hard on batteries and tough to help two kids fish and work the motor from the bow.

So, I need some opinions about a gas kicker. Of course a 6-9.9 would be ideal for anyone but they also weigh a bit more than a 2-6. I've got a chance to pick up a very cheap (like dirt cheap) 2hp kicker and would first like to know if anyone has experience trolling with something that small. Do they have to be wound out to be effective? What sort of mph would I see on my 18 foot glass, assuming no wind or current. Boat, motor and gear are under 2,000lbs. There's not much room next to the main power plant but I just might be able to squeeze that little 2hp in there, not sure.

Now I've attached a pic of the boarding ladder brackets which I would love to be able to re-use as my kicker mount brackets and have been considering having a plate and tubing custom welded to fit perfecly into the brackets. This would allow me to use the kicker when fishing and re-install the boarding ladder when we play. If someone falls overboard while fishing I'm in the same spot a lot of guys are who don't have boarding ladders to begin with.

The catch with the boarding ladder brackets: the two bottom brackets are screwed into the hull and the uppers are through-bolted. The design of the boat simply doesn't allow access to through-bolt the bottom brackets, or I would. Do all four have to be through-bolted or will just the uppers do it for a smaller kicker (6hp)? I know what some will say, but let's assume it's not a perfect world.

Sorry for the long post but thank you for any advice, stories, things to consider. I hold no one responsible for their advice.
D

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Kicker options and mounting advice

IMHO, truing to use the existing mounts would be a very bad idea..... I suggest mounting the kicker on the other side of the boat... I thing you will need a 5-8 hp... you can expect no more than about 5 mph max... with 2 hp I think you will be spitting into the wind... I have a 1.5 hp motor and it is less than impressive on an 8' plastic pond prowler (100 lbs empty) with me at 240 lbs in it.

Another option would be an engine mounted trolling motor with two big deep cycles..... should be able to troll about all day at 1.5-2 mph

 

[roscoe]

Re: Kicker options and mounting advice

Another option would be an engine mounted trolling motor with two big deep cycles..... should be able to troll about all day at 1.5-2 mph

ditto.

Not a lot of room on your transom, and likely hard to operate.

2hp will get you nowhere.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Kicker options and mounting advice

or consider a remote control (wireless) trolling motor with a GPS, to be "hands free." A friend has one on a 22' bay boat he uses in the Chesapeake Bay striper fishing, or in the flats, and loves it.

"Helping two kids fish" is always going to be a lot of work no matter what the rig but isn't that what it's all about?

 

[IRBFishin]

Re: Kicker options and mounting advice

I was afraid the those brackets wouldn't work. I wish they would, how perfect. I guess it's the constant vibration that would be concerning cause that boarding ladder's had some big dudes climb up it and even stand on it. Well, I can always troll with the bow mount until the batteries get too low (it's a 24v) and then call it a day.

I've seen a lot of people ask about thrust vs HP and the answer seems to always be they can't be compared. That seems strange. Maybe not in technical terms but seriously, we compare motors to horses pulling but can't compare an electric outboard to gas? If you google search "horsepower" it gives you a conversion. I also read that 1 hp is equal to 'about' 15 lb/thrust. Of course hull design and weight is a factor but then wouldn't 2hp be equal to 30lb/thrust? Wouldn't that push a boat (albeit slowly) around a lake without any concern for battery loss. Just spitballing so don't lash out at me here.

Finally, there's exactly 12inches of mounting space next to the big motor. Is this just too small of an area? I have a bit of a hang up about drilling holes in the other side of the transom. For one I can't get through bolts on that side either and second, I would have to mount something removable for those days out skiing and playing.

Thanks a bunch, fellas.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Kicker options and mounting advice

Hi IRB. I've been curious about the rough equivalence between "trust" and "horsepower" too. I think some electric motors, like Torquedo, are starting to use an HP style rating system, but it is tricky when you deal with electricity. I know I used a little 3 hp kicker on my aluminum flat back canoe and it seemed to be about twice as fast as my 40 lb. trolling motor that I used from time to time. As far as the kicker motor is concerned, have you looked at some of the adjustable mounts that you very often see on sail boats. They tend to take up very little mounting space and can be adjusted such that the motor can be dropped down into the water for use and lifted up and out when not in use so as to reduce drag. They're also handy if you happen to have a long shaft kicker (as sailboats often do) because you can adjust the height of the cavitation plate relative to the keel more easily than with a fixed mount, which should help to maximize whatever motor you do decide to use. Here's a pic of one. They seem to run in the $150 + range, but I'm sure you can make/buy one for less.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Kicker options and mounting advice

there are quick release brackets for the kicker mounts like the one pictures above... pull a pin and slide it off leaving just a flat plate... you could possibly mount it between the ladder brackets with the ladder off. generally on a boat that size you would have an 80 lb plus trolling motor. 2hp would MOVE the boat at full throttle with no wind but it wouldn't move it well.... as I said my 1.5 is BARELY sufficient for the little 8' boat that I can easily carry to the water on my back.

If you want to try the 2 hp, go for it but don't mount a bracket to your boat that isn't suitable for the 5-10 hp you'll likely end up with

 

[pscrabber59]

Re: Kicker options and mounting advice

The performance of a 2hp as a kicker on your sz boat will be nil(nothing) 6-8hp should give you enough power and still troll pretty well.

 

[IRBFishin]

Re: Kicker options and mounting advice

I think you're all right. Trouble with mounting a kicker bracket/plate is that I can't get thru-bolts into the bottome of the transom. There's just no access. The other if you can see in the pics, is the transom is flat at the bottom and then jets out sharply toward the back, making a flat bracket very difficult to mount.

If anyone can give me a bit of help by measuring their 8hp (or so) kicker, width of cover and turning radius, I would like to rule out the option of mounting it to the 12" space next to the otimax. I could always turn the optimax all the way the other direction to allow me to turn the kicker.

Trust me, I know some boats aren't made for everything but if I could get a gas kicker on this boat it would be the ultimate all-around boat. If not, it's pretty close.

Thanks again

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Kicker options and mounting advice

you would need to have aluminum spacer/fairing blocks made to adapt the flat bracket to the odd shaped transom. You also will NEED to access the back side of any mounting bolts.... If you are unable or unwilling to do whatever is needed to gain access then you just can't mount a kicker.... You may have to cut a 6" or 8" access hole and install a screw in cover plate. or need to dig out some foam. You also might need to have a plate pre drilled with nuts welded to it that can be slid into place if you can't get hands or tool in.... There is pretty much always an answer but it isn't always easy or cheap.

as steering, you'd simply mount a tie bar to steer the kicker from the main engine

 

[scott hamilton]

Re: Kicker options and mounting advice

I used a Panther bracket Model 40 and its killer. See the pics. It may not work for your application but Marine Tech has lots of other options too. Call the number and they will help you. See http://www.marinetechproducts.com/

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[M9.9]

Re: Kicker options and mounting advice

Hi all, I once used a small kicker mounted as close close to the outboard as I wished and it was a very-limited space. It worked as I connected an arm from the front base of the kicker to the front base of the outboard and used the steering wheel to turn both in tandem. So, they moved together and no additional engine to engine clearance was required. When I went back to the main engine I just disconnected the fast-clips and removed the alum bar., pulled up the kicker, locked and left.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Kicker options and mounting advice

Comparing gas to electric, HP to thrust....there is no comparison, even the largest normal electrics don't come close to the power and thrust of the smaller gas motors.

The small single cylinder gas motors are light, but they are are also somewhat loud and they vibrate. The two cylinder models are much better for trolling.

You have two options.

1. Make a bracket for a gas motor.

2. Up grade the electric to 36 volts and auto pilot.

The electric option will be easier, but trolling for salmon is typically better with gas.

 

[IRBFishin]

Re: Kicker options and mounting advice

...I once used a small kicker mounted as close close to the outboard as I wished and it was a very-limited space.

How close? Is there a substantial size difference between a small egg beater and a 6-8hp kicker? Unless someone has some measurements here for me:redface: I think I'll measure a few next time I'm at Cabelas. I've got some but not much room next to my 150 to squeeze in a kicker on the transom motor cutout. Maybe no need for a bracket after all??

There's a lot of obvious pluses to steering the kicker from the helm, but I can think of one downside which is the constant need to increase/decrease throttle depending on wind/current/etc.

Thanks again.

 

[MWG2600]

Re: Kicker options and mounting advice

If you could get a 9.9 electric start remote control, then if the kicker was was down u could control the kicker with another throttal from the main engine. and have steering with the main engine.