Kicker setup on 22

ferret30 · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 2:38 pm Post subject: Kicker setup on 22

I don't have a kicker yet, but I'm trying to figure out a few things I've been wondering about installation. In the next month I'm going to be removing an adjustable bracket from the port side, installing a factory swim step on the port side, and installing a kicker on the starboard side. I've been scouring old threads but not finding the specific info I'm looking for.

Some people clamp a kicker straight to the transom, some people buy a fixed (mini jacker) bracket that bolts to the transom and holds the kicker a few inches up and aft of where it would be on the transom.

Why is a mini jacker used? Is there a clearance problem with tilting a manual tilt motor (i.e. Suzuki 9.9AL) up into the well on the starboard side? Is it only to clear trim tabs (we don't have them)?

I would prefer to keep things simple, and clamping straight to the transom seems to be the simplest option, but is it better for the transom to have a bracket?

Is a long shaft appropriate for both transom mounting and mini jacker mounting?

nimrod · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 2:51 pm Post subject:

My kicker is mounted directly to transom on the starboard side. I had to cut off a small piece of the inside edge of the trim tab to get full range of movement on the kicker. It's a convenient mount and you won't have to lean over the transom to get at your kicker controls.

If you mount the kicker on the stbd side, then your port-side mounted swimstep won't force you to step over engine cables.

jd

Jazzmanic · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 3:21 pm Post subject: Re: Kicker setup on 22

ferret30 · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 3:27 pm Post subject:

ferret30 · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 3:33 pm Post subject:

How do you tilt a kicker from the cockpit (non electric tilt)? Something like release a latch, pull on the head cover?

Adeline · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 3:40 pm Post subject:

Here is the factory set-up on an '89. Long shaft. Motors tilt up/down together or separately.

Jazzmanic · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 3:49 pm Post subject:

rjmcnabb · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 3:53 pm Post subject:

Hi ferret,
I have been thinking about posting on this, too. I have a 16 cruiser,20 inches from lip to hull bottom; motor is 23 inches from clamp to anti cavitation plate, so the dimensions seem OK. What bothers me is the force of the OB clamps on the transom! Is there an issue of damaging the fiberglass and the core material in the transom?
Not drilling the transom seems desirable, but not at risk of structural damage. Many small boats seem to have a transom pad, but is that just to make the transom thick enough to match with the OB clamps?
Rod.

ferret30 · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 4:08 pm Post subject:

nimrod · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 4:17 pm Post subject:

my kicker is through-the-transom bolted on. I believe it's a long shaft.

jd

nimrod · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 4:20 pm Post subject:

It also has an electric start, so because of the cables, it would be pointless to clamp it on to prevent theft.

jd

20dauntless · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 4:48 pm Post subject:

I had EQ install a 6hp longshaft Tohatsu a few months ago.

They bolted a plastic block on the transom and mounted the kicker onto it so the kicker would clear the trim tabs.

I opted for the most basic kicker I could and it works fine. No electric start, tilt, or charging capability and tiller steering. We had all the bells and whistles on a kicker on a different boat, found that we never used the kicker (and paradoxically the extras made using it more difficult), and eventually took it off the boat and sold it.

The Tohatsu is easy to tilt up and down manually and generally easier to operate than the fancy kicker we had on the other boat.

dotnmarty · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 4:48 pm Post subject:

My kicker has always been on the transom, with no drilling thru it. Sometimes, when the boat is heavy, or at high speeds, the kicker will drag in the water even when raised. I have thought about mounting it on a jack plate of some sort but haven't got around to it. I like the one pictured with the Tohatsu, above.

ferret30 · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 4:55 pm Post subject:

Thanks for all the info and pics so far!

So, I'd imagine the kickers would have an adjustment to set the down position, maybe a stop or a pin, and then from that point onward you have the motor locked in either the up or down position. Or do you tilt it to the closest notch each time and lock it?

416rigby · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 5:03 pm Post subject:

At first I mounted the kicker right on the transom, but didn't like it because of cable clearance and it drug in the water a bit when tilted up. Personally, I think the mini jacker is the way to go. It was inexpensive and easy to install. It raises the kicker up and aft a few inches so no more clearance issues. It's easy to tilt. I really like it. Yes, you set the angle of your kicker with an adjustable pin...just put the pin in whatever hole you need to get the angle you want. It can be seen in this pic. Be sure to seal up your mounting holes very well. I used 4200 fast cure. We also slave the kicker to the main so we can steer from the helm while trolling.

Rick