question about kicker motor

Spike · Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2008 4:40 pm Post subject:

I know that the makers of the adjustable type kicker brackets say not to tow with the motor mounted, but I have never had any trouble doing just that. I towed my last boat around for over 8 years with either a 10hp honda 4 stroke or my current kicker a 8hp yamaha high thrust 4stoke. Both motors weighed in at over a 100lbs. I really dont think the motors bounce around any more going down the highway at 55mph than running at 25mph on a light chop on the water while using the main. On my C-Dory I am using the same set up as Flapbreaker. Just get the adjustable bracket rated over the weight of your kicker with some wiggle room. Just my thoughts and experience.

Chuck
Bootleg Hooch

nordicstallion · Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2008 7:47 pm Post subject: kicker mounting

Thank you for helping to fill some of the blanks in my brain gentlemen. Transitioning from inland to the coast, fresh water flyfishing to salt water fishing, watersking boat ownership to c-dory ownership & electronics brings many qwestions. Im chipping away at them with c-brat help. I bought the boat three weeks ago & wont be taking it north untill spring. Im all atwitter but will stay away from the ocean untill she & I are ready. Ill take her to lake Berryessa as soon as this next storm passes then im off to the smith to stalk the wiley steelhead untill the xo starts to whine. Im retired....shes not!!

thataway · Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 9:38 pm Post subject:

I put my kickers on brackets to get them further out of the water and back from the trim tabs. Agree with the comments on the high thrust engines but for the most part, you will not get much more than 5 knots out of most kickers. The 5 knots is hull speed for a CD 19 or 22, and to exceed this it will take significant more HP--and fuel. I have gone many thousands of miles at 5 knots--not fast, but you get there! So, I am happy with a kicker which will give 5 knots.