Stupid Question About Kickers

[michaelnel]

Hi Folks

I have a new-to-me 2015 Klamath 16 Alaskan. It has a 2015 50hp EFI 4-stroke Merc main engine with a side console and remote steering.

If I want to use a kicker for slow trolling, what is the normal way it is done?

Is the main motor turned off, and the kicker turned on and locked straight ahead, and steering done with the steering wheel and main motor as a rudder, or is it steered with the tiller on the kicker?

Well, I *said* it was a stupid question. ;-)

 

[GA_Boater]

Often a steering tie bar or Aux Motor Steering kit connects the main and kicker motors so the console steering is used with the main motor tilted up. Also a kicker remote control is often up near the boat's helm to keep all the steering and controls close to each other.

Like this Panther model.

 

[michaelnel]

Thank you. That looks like a good way to go!

 

[airshot]

Lots of different ways to do it but many depend on your budget. Mine is quite low so yes we steer with the tiller on the kicker. On some days we keep the kicker straight and get some limited stearage from the main outdrive, but normal boat traffic and wind usually keep that from working very well. We normally run our rods off the back so we are already there so its not a big problem but....if your pockets are deep enough there are all kids of gadgets to make thing very easy and simple but as in all boating ventures they do cost money. If you do some searching for kicker motor steering ideas on youtube you will find a number of ideas people have come up with.