Steering with kicker

S

Seagull6

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Nov 13, 2002
Messages
34
I have a 75 HP Mercury on my boat and I am expecting to receive a new 6 HP kicker motor early next week. What's the best way to gang the steering of both motors. Cabela's has a steering unit that clamps onto the shaft of each motor and the two are connected by a stainless steel, adjustable length arm for about $145. They also have a stainless steel rod/ball aparatus that connects the steering linkage on the big motor directly to the small motor tiller (I think) for about $20. <br /><br />Does anyone have a recommendation on which is better? I'd prefer the $20 set, but I'd like to know how well it works. Are there any other options?
 
JB

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: Steering with kicker

Hi, Chuck.<br /><br />Tighten up the pivot on the kicker so that it wont turn. Then use your main as a rudder.<br /><br />No bux involved. :)
 
Boatist

Boatist

Rear Admiral
Joined
Apr 22, 2002
Messages
4,552
Re: Steering with kicker

Chuck<br />What JB said will work but will have slow response. Will be able to steer as soon as get movement thru the water. If you do it that way put main motor striaght then start and adjust kicker until boat runs straight. Now you can leave kicker there and steer with main motor.<br /><br />I tried that on my 21 foot Alumunum runabout and did not work very well for me. On a windy days at trolling speeds wind had much more affect than the motor. I had no control over the boat. I got a EZ Steer to hook the two motors together and it works great. It is just a adjustable stainless steel rod with a gimble on both ends. Then hooks up to a couple of air hose couplers. Works very well but if you get this then you will want to losen your steering tension on the Kicker. I got mine back in 1981 so did not cost that much but I think they are about the price you said now. To attach to your morors they have a adapter for each type motor. I will say all I do to mine is flush it with hose when washing salt off the boat and a couple times a year spray a little oil on it.
 
M

millerkeg

Recruit
Joined
Apr 8, 2005
Messages
2
Re: Steering with kicker

I own a 2003 18.5' livingston CC cat running a 2002 115 Suzuki 4 stroke. I just bought a 2005 nissan 9.8 4 stroke tiller and was wondering about any ideas about how to link them together. Both motors would be trasom mounted. I looked at ez steer coupler $140-170 and also looked at panther Aux motor steering kit $55-60. I would like be able to raise kicker without disconnecting the coupler if at all possible. any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks
 
D

dajohnson53

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Apr 28, 2004
Messages
1,627
Re: Steering with kicker

I've used an EZ Steer sytem for several years now and it works very well. They have a web site, check them out.
 
G

gss036

Commander
Joined
Jan 18, 2003
Messages
2,914
Re: Steering with kicker

I have used a Trol-eze unit from Goetz Enineeering for the last 15 years and would not dream of going to anything else. I have had the unit rebuilt a couple times but works better than anything else I have seen on the water and it leaves you free to move about your boat.<br /> http://www.goetztroleze.com/
 
D

dajohnson53

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Apr 28, 2004
Messages
1,627
Re: Steering with kicker

Originally posted by D.:<br /> I've used an EZ Steer sytem for several years now and it works very well. They have a web site, check them out.
Click to expand...
PS: I can raise and lower the main and kicker independently with the EZ Steer.
 
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