Need for kicker?

[NewMoon]

About motor boards breaking:

I had a Garelick bracket for my 9.9 HT Yamaha, rated for 125 lb or so, their heaviest at the time - 15 years ago. Its plastic motor board broke after 3 years or so, when it took a goodly bump (construction - dropped off end of pavement). The motor was saved from hitting the road by its fuel line and electric connection - the skeg wound up sitting on a trim tab.

Garelick replaced the entire bracket, even though it was out of warranty, saying that it was a design mistake that they had just resolved - the motor bolted onto the board entirely above the aluminum parts the board was bolted to, so the motor wiggling back and forth with vibration worked the plastic until it broke, straight across above the aluminum.

The replacement unit was exactly the same except that it had that corrected. It lasted quite a few years and tens of thousands of miles trailering, until it eventually the aluminum parts got worn out.

The older ones looked like this:



I replaced it last fall with the new heaviest model, rated for up to 170 lb. It's a far more robust design, and works like a charm - makes lifting the 9.9 HT a snap. If you have a heavy kicker, I recommend this one. Both Garelick and Panther make one that appears identical - I don't know who is really the manufacturer.

The one I just installed looks like this:



The second one at least, and maybe the first, are more heavy-duty than needed for a 60lb 6hp Tohatsu. Note when you're shopping that the amount of vertical travel varies quite a bit from one bracket to another.

[Chris Bulovsky]

Three times I used a kicker on my 22' to get back home on Lake Superior once in heavy seas. I'm a little skeptical how a small kicker would control the 22' in rough water with winds. I sometimes fish in "kinda gnarly" water and the extra horse power that 9.9 offers is in my mind essential in controlling the boat. That being said I would rather have a 2.5hp over nothing.
I do think its everybody's obligation to be self sufficient when on the water and not depend on the generosity of other boater to drag your rig in when your experiencing trouble. Sometimes its unavoidable but usually it is.

If you boat mostly in Wisconsin you may find that a dingy is not essential. I choose gravel or sand beaches then just beach the boat unload people and gear then back out and anchor. I don't mind wading in.

As for controls of a kicker I would not be against a tiller steering kicker but if you motor troll lots a inside "shaded" arrangement of controls are nice. I once had my steering go to hell and had to "Red Green" the dinette table leg to the kicker with duct tape to steer it back home"improvised tiller steering handle" . It was embarrassing and I looked like jack ass coming back in the marina with my tail between legs but I did avoid being towed. In hindsight the silver tape did match the Honda engines nicely.

[colbysmith]

Initially I was thinking of the 9.9. But after the discussion here, looking at how I would use it, the weight, cost, etc, the 6hp just made the most sense. I do plan on getting some kind of removable steering linkage for the kicker, so I can steer from inside the cabin when going any distance or trolling with it. But the added cost of remote controls just didn't make sense for my use. (I'll also get one of those commercial tiller extenders...) The Tohatsu 6 I bought has a gear ratio of 2.15:1. A little more than some of the others, so that may help in regards to how it compares with the other manufacturers 9s. Chris, how do you have your kicker mounted? (I'll check to see if you have any photos when I get done typing this..) Colby

[bongo]

Hello folk: Read somewhere in the site about "off center main engine mount", and was wondering. If mounting main off center, then it would be possible to mount kicker sans special mount. Would look funny; but would this affect boat handling with main at high power?

[nordicstallion]

It's not a kicker, it's an auxiliary!!! When you NEED it's there ! Say what you want, been there, don't want to be there again! No brainier!

[Chester]

[ghone]

Would affect things for sure. Mostly bad ways I think. Expensive to find out. Things are pretty proven for these boats me thinks. George

[thataway]

You should be able to mount many of the Aux, kicker, (what ever you want to call it, along side a single properly set in the center of the boat. I agree, you want to keep the main on a C Dory in the center, or twins symmetrically placed.

[bongo]

Ok, thanks, and sorry for the "kicker" thing. Like they say, "worst question is the one not asked". Right now I have 2 60 HP Yamaha auxiliaries... or mains, depends how you look at it; but am disgusted with the local rep: charged me $400 to change 2 thermostats. Well... really only paid 150, for I rejected the second visit to install the items quoted at $40 a piece plus $150 for the install. Bought them at Amazon for $20 ea and changed them myself. The temperature warning hand gone off and they came to visit 10 minutes and said "it might be the thermostats", and that cost me $150. So I started toying with the idea of a Evinrude 135 hp and a supplementary propulsion machine. Save a lot of weight.
Right now the tilt/trim will not raise the starboard engine, only lower it. Hear a click sound when I press the switch; so I suppose it's the relay. The port engine is also acting up sporadically. Deathly scared of the Yamy reps so I am hunting for a freelance mechanic. Regards

[thataway]

Not a thing wrong with calling the second smaller motor a "kicker".

As I understand your situation, you initially had a 115, because of an experience with the wind in the Perlas Islands, went to twins, had some reliablity issues with the Yamahas and now are considering a single, with a kicker again?

Although it is possible in many of the boats to use a kicker on the transom, for your application, you will probably be better off with a bracket for a kicker--if you go that way...

How many hours do you have on the Yamahas? Yep, the dealers at times appear to be ripping a person off! But they have to pay the help...our local Yamaha dealer went out of business. Another shop picked up the line eventually. Still are good motors.

[bongo]

Hello Thataway... Well, for the time being I have the Yamahas and yes they are good engines; I'm just frustrated with the service. And you are most probably right, it is an issue of scale economics (less clients + $). My engines are around 100 hours, but they have been on the boat for 3 years; and things happen with time (impellers for one). One of my trailer disc pads separated and overheated the hub. Changed the all now. The Magic Tilt trailer extension rusted form within, and that is dangerous if you don't notice, for the boat could separate from the car.
Am clear in the bracket thing, if and when I go to one main and one occasionally main will got thataway...
I see you have allot of kelp in your area that clogs intakes. We have none, but plenty plastic bags; generally you can hear a change in the pitch sound of the engine and get rid of the offending thing before overheating. Regards