Kicker?

[SWD]

OK....sorry if this is not in the correct forum but have a question that is non repair. Have a 6 month old 9.9 hp mercury 2 stroke and was wondering if I should use it for trolling instead if the 200hp i/o?

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: Kicker?

Well, you could. Hemingway had two engines on his Pilar and would engage the smaller for trolling. Can't see what it would hurt...how would you steer it?

 

[SWD]

Re: Kicker?

An EZ steer system.

 

[JB]

Re: Kicker?

If you rigged a separate fuel system and steering you could troll with it and have the extra advantage of emergency power if the I/O failed.

Some cost and nuisance involved. You need to decide if it is worth it.

 

[SWD]

Re: Kicker?

Well thats just it. This will be our first full season with the "new-to-us" boat. Want to just fix stuff that needs fixing and is essential. We are just wondering if you could troll comfortably with a 200hp i/o. Thats my question. If we like the boat then we would consider a kicker bracket and ez steer next year.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Kicker?

Been doing this for 40+ years. IMHO, the 9.9 is an ideal kicker and the I/O is not for a lot of reasons.

OTOH I don't like the EZsteer. I bought a pair of QD sockets and a 3' piece of SS rod and made my own. If I wasn't handy, though, I would use an EZ steer.

 

[jimbo_jwc]

Re: Kicker?

My 4.5hp kicker is left straight /tightend . I can steer with the I/O steering from boat quick enough for trolling .

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Kicker?

since it's a new boat, try without it.
since you already have the 9.9, no reason not to try it if the I/O doesn't work well.

Although I don't subscribe to the 'extra engine" theory for most boaters, i would in your case since you already have the small motor, and your boat looks large enough that it won't be in the way. or weigh.

 

[jimbo_jwc]

Re: Kicker?

Yes you should if you like to troll . I have found out that my 3.0 L at 600 rpm will go down to 2.2 mph and times fish don't like speed ,deph,or lure wobble that I can't fix with weights,leaders ,line type . Can cover alot of lakes at that speed to find out when I start the 4.5hp Johnson Seahorse things start to happen . It goes down to about 1.0 mph and I can push a 19.6 boat for almost 2hrs on the little
tank that is on it and just steer with the I/O . I have even used to unroll off trailer at launch ,plus you can always get back .

 

[the machinist]

Re: Kicker?

In my neck of the woods SW Washington, over 90% of the fishing boats will use a kicker motor for trolling. Your 9.9hp would be about the ideal size for your boat. You can get a 3 gallon plastic fuel tank that takes up less room than the standard 6 gallon size, that should do you for at least 6 hours of steady trolling.

As mentioned in a previous post, you can lock it down & steer with the outdrive down, BUT you do not have a lot of fast response time or manuverability, especially if you get a wind blowing & your boat has a wind catching top. Many of us do not connect the motors together for steering, but sit in the rear & manually steer the kicker.

Also it is an insurance policy for getting you back to the launch IF the main motor fails.

 

[blackhawk180]

Re: Kicker?

First try at adding images....be patient with this old man!

I'm in central Washington and kickers are standard here too. Lots of the fish I target seem to prefer 1.2 to 1.5 mph and the big motor just won't go below 1.6 without tossing a bucket over the side or some other trick. Considering how much time I spend trolling, it just didn't make sense to me to add the hours to the main plus the kicker is ultra quiet, cheap to operate and when connected to the main, easy to steer. As noted previously, I can always disconnect the two motors and steer from the rear, it just depends on how many people are in the boat. Since both are four strokes, it was easy to plumb the kicker into the main tank and I like that I have a backup when I fish out on the coast.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Kicker?

First try at adding images....be patient with this old man!
View attachment 182931
I'm in central Washington and kickers are standard here too. Lots of the fish I target seem to prefer 1.2 to 1.5 mph and the big motor just won't go below 1.6 without tossing a bucket over the side or some other trick. Considering how much time I spend trolling, it just didn't make sense to me to add the hours to the main plus the kicker is ultra quiet, cheap to operate and when connected to the main, easy to steer. As noted previously, I can always disconnect the two motors and steer from the rear, it just depends on how many people are in the boat. Since both are four strokes, it was easy to plumb the kicker into the main tank and I like that I have a backup when I fish out on the coast.

Very slick. Its the only setup I've ever seen that's better than mine!

 

[jimbo_jwc]

Re: Kicker?

Also by seating and steering by hand you are closer to your poles for setting hook or for when you snag .

In my neck of the woods SW Washington, over 90% of the fishing boats will use a kicker motor for trolling. Your 9.9hp would be about the ideal size for your boat. You can get a 3 gallon plastic fuel tank that takes up less room than the standard 6 gallon size, that should do you for at least 6 hours of steady trolling.

As mentioned in a previous post, you can lock it down & steer with the outdrive down, BUT you do not have a lot of fast response time or manuverability, especially if you get a wind blowing & your boat has a wind catching top. Many of us do not connect the motors together for steering, but sit in the rear & manually steer the kicker.

Also it is an insurance policy for getting you back to the launch IF the main motor fails.

 

[jimbo_jwc]

Re: Kicker?

I'm going to have to make something for mine after seeing this setup . I/O to outboard kicker ?? Maybe ball swivels mounted to anticavation plates ???

Very slick. Its the only setup I've ever seen that's better than mine!

 

[blackhawk180]

Re: Kicker?

Also by seating and steering by hand you are closer to your poles for setting hook or for when you snag .

Totally agree. The main use of remote steering is when we fish 3 guys. On my boat, two guys run the rods (usually one long-line out the stern and two down riggers) and one guy drives. Loose a fish or land one, you're driving until the next fish hits. If it's raining, everyone gets a turn drying off at the wheel and if the fish are really biting, everyone gets equal rod time.
If just two of us, I'll often disconnect from the main and steer from the stern so I'm closer to the down rigger like you mentioned.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Kicker?

I'm going to have to make something for mine after seeing this setup . I/O to outboard kicker ?? Maybe ball swivels mounted to anticavation plates ???

There is a product available just for this. My friend has it and it works awesome. I don't know the details though. Only picture I have is this not-too-helpful one (boat on the left) http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/aIMG_2530.jpg

 

[JimS123]

Re: Kicker?

I'm going to have to make something for mine after seeing this setup . I/O to outboard kicker ?? Maybe ball swivels mounted to anticavation plates ???

Not a good location! Too low, so you'll have trouble taking it on or off when in the boat. Also, the rod running under water will pick up weeds and debris. Make it as high as possible. ball swivels are good - just make your own brackets if needed.

 

[jimbo_jwc]

Re: Kicker?

Looking around and my old boat has quick connect on steering to Chyrlser that I can use with cable to kicker . Thanks for Ideas w pics

Not a good location! Too low, so you'll have trouble taking it on or off when in the boat. Also, the rod running under water will pick up weeds and debris. Make it as high as possible. ball swivels are good - just make your own brackets if needed.