Selecting a kicker motor bracket

[flobbest]

I recently purchased a 15 HP Merc kicker motor (4 stroke). Now I need to get a bracket for this beast. The dang thing weighs 115 lbs! I've been looking, and the Gerelick looks like a pretty good unit ($300). They have a spring assist and I was wondering if anyone had any experience with these. Like how much "assist" do they provide?

I ruled out the hydralic ones due to the cost of around $1,600. Thanks for the help......Frank.

 

[gss036]

Re: Selecting a kicker motor bracket

I have used one for the last 20 years. Pay the extra money and get the one that is rated for for more weight, that way they will have a little stronger spring. I have never had any problems w/it once you get the hang of how it works. $300 is about the right price. Maybe Joes or one of the discount stores will save you few dollars.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Selecting a kicker motor bracket

there are several here. http://www.iboats.com/Adjustable_Ou...8736870--**********.632517540--view_id.217143

it is always nice the support the benefactor of this fabulous FREE forum.

 

[gss036]

Re: Selecting a kicker motor bracket

tashasdaddy, I agree with you whole heartedly, but they do need to be compeptive. Even West Marine are selling theirs cheaper. Maybe you need to pass this along, we all like to get a good price on products.

 

[twkjr 1250]

Re: Selecting a kicker motor bracket

i have the same one just put on today with a yamaha 9.9 high thrust wieght is about the same had hard time lifting and ajusting differant hieghts and that was standing on ground behind it tommorow will try from the boat to see how hard or easy it is

 

[gss036]

Re: Selecting a kicker motor bracket

Mine is an older model and I wrote to the factory and asked them to send me another pair of springs, put those on with the original ones, and it made a real difference. You do need to get your self set and give it a good steady yank/lift. My T9.9 Yamaha weighs (110/115 lbs), about the same as my old 15 hp Honda.

 

[flobbest]

Re: Selecting a kicker motor bracket

Thanks for the feedback guys. I'm going with the Garelick. Will post results when I get it on. Thanks again.

 

[gss036]

Re: Selecting a kicker motor bracket

Please keep us posted. I will keep an eye on your report and I may just go that way also since my bracket (mount) is nearing 20 years old now and showing signs of wear and tear of the salt water, but considering all, it still works ok, just hangs up once in the blue moon.
Which model did you settle with?

 

[flobbest]

Re: Selecting a kicker motor bracket

Oops, I lied. I didn't get the Garelick. I found another option at the last minute and went with a Panther Marine model 35. It arrived yesterday and I hope to have it installed this weekend. I found the best price from www.wizardscycle.com. I paid $488 on the 25th. I looked tonight and they are $569 from the same place, still the cheapest I can find. Don't know why they upped it. Will report when installed. Sorry for the head fake.

 

[HONKER1]

Re: Selecting a kicker motor bracket

I just installed the Garelick bracket that you were going to purchase. I have a Mercury 8hp 4-stroke on it that weighs about 102 lbs. First had a problem getting it to go down, so I loosened the bolts and now it moves as it should. I think that after some use it will become looser and easier, and I will tighten the bolts as needed.
The one thing that I am concerned about is that Garelick has a warning on the bracket that I should remove the motor when trailering. This motor is electric start, and weights over 100 lbs. There is no way I am going to remove this motor everytime I go fishing. So I added a couple of extra tie down screweyes to the boat, so the motor and bracket can't bounce around going down the highway, and just keep my fingers cross.

 

[gss036]

Re: Selecting a kicker motor bracket

HONKER1, I have been using the Gralick type bracket since 1989 on my boat and have used a Johnson 9.9 Sailmaster, Honda 15 HP and now a Yamaha T9.9 high thrust, with a remoter steering unit and have not had any problems. Just getting old and worn out. After looking at the Panther on the site, don't really think I would consider that. If I wanted a HYD lift I could have bought a motor w/it already installed. I would still go back to the Gralick bracket. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[flobbest]

Re: Selecting a kicker motor bracket

I have the Panther lift installed! No small task on my Triton 2486. Boat has a very short transon which does not allow many options for mounting the bracket. I had to cut a 3" hole in the center of the Panther bracket to straddle a transome drain, it does not impact the physical integerity of the bracket. As for the unit, it is basically two massive aluminum castings that are hinged at the top with a half inch rod, and connected at the bottom with the lift cylinder. You can change the ?set back? on the unit by removing (driving out) the rod and moving it to another set of holes farther back. It comes out pretty hard, I had to drive it out and in the process broke one of the rather chintzy plastic bushings between the castings. Over all the unit is fairly high quality (with the exception of the bushings).
There is very little actual "lift" with this unit. It is almost all "tilt", much like a power trim unit like the Commander mentions above. If one requires a lot of vertical lift this unit may not get the job done. In my application with the Triton it works just fine with my short transom. I bought a used 2002 15 hp, 4 stoke kicker for $1,000 and now with the panther I have $1,500 in it. I couldn?t find a used motor like this with power trim so this worked out for me.