Genius? Just buy two Cabella's rods..... duh.

jlastofka

Thinking about steering linkage for kicker with main up/down:

It suddenly occured to me that the Cabella's rods are not expensive and they're made to quick connect/disconnect, so I could buy two and set the length on one for steering the kicker with the main down and the other for the main up.

I'm still waiting to see the boat and engines next week before deciding what to do, but I'm trying to have as many good options in mind as I can think of before I get there and start. I saw the boat with the VTEC 90 on it, but the High Thrust 9.9 is on order and I need to figure out how to mount it and steer it. I'm planning to use a standard Honda twin engine throttle quadrant for that part of it. Is that a bad idea for some reason? Seems like it should match the new Honda engines well enough.

Any experienced thoughts about having the main up or down with kicker in use would be appreciated. I've driven singles and twins, but I have no experience with the large main / small kicker combination.

Jeff

thataway · Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 3:18 pm Post subject:

I would leave the main down--at least most of the way. the steering geometry wil be more precise.

Cutty Sark · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 10:29 am Post subject:

If you are that intent on be able to troll both ways , I would go for an EZ steer instead, they are easily adjustable and the same rod will work in both situations. But, There is no real advantage that I can see on having the main engine up for trolling except maybe drag, and that has to be minimal. I troll with the main down at all times and haven't encountered any problems with doing so. Just a thought. good Luck.

Sark

lloyds · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 10:39 am Post subject:

I use an EZ steer between my 50 and my 2. The 2 is too small so I leave the 50 down to help steer.

Robbi · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 10:52 am Post subject:

Just a FYI.....I was pleasantly surprised to find that I can steer my 19 under kicker power, with the main. The 90 Suzuki is just a big rudder back there. When I am fishing, (not trolling, but maneuvering near shore) I steer with the kicker and I am able to quickly do a near 90 degree turn to position.I was planning on connecting the two, but it works so well for my needs as is, I will leave the two unconnected. Robbi

jkidd · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 12:51 pm Post subject:

I have a 115 Suzuki and a 9.9 Suzuki with the rod from Cabalas. The 9.9 is on the starboard side. This was so the swim step was free from the cables because the dog doesn't care where she walks or who she steps on, shes just looking for a good time. Once the rod was adjusted I can lift the main so the prop is just barely in the water. I do this because I notice if it is all the way out the boat wanders a little more. If the main is all the way down I need the use more throttle on the kicker. That just means a little more noise. If the wind is blowing then I put the main down and turn up the throttle. I haven't had to change the length of the rod, but I don't raise the motor all the way out of the water.

416rigby · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 11:27 pm Post subject:

Simple thing to do...here's the way I did it.

After installing the ball fittings on the motors, get both of your motors straight and measure your rod so it will give you an inch or so of fine tuning adjustment. Cut the rod, reinstall the end fitting, do your final adjustments and lock down the jam nut. Done. Very, very simple. So easy, a caveman can do it! Laughing

We had the same rod system on our last boat in Alaska and never had a lick of trouble. Quick to put on and take off. Simplicity itself. Don't think about motor up or down, just use it with the main down unless you need more speed to get home if the main quits on you. The beauty of this set up is that you can enjoy trolling from the comfort of the cabin.

The other essential, at least to me, is a Troll-Master to control the throttle. They are about 250 bucks direct from the company website and are worth every penny. Very nice folks to deal with. If you are going to have the kicker with remote throttle and shifter, you won't need one, of course. I don't know if the dual throttle set up would work, but it sounds like a great idea if it does. For my kicker, I just wanted simplicity, so that's the route I took.

Rick

jkidd · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 11:37 pm Post subject:

I run a trollmaster as well I'm on my 4th one in three boats. The first one the control box melted because of heat under the canvas. This was before they had the plug on them. The unit works great and the new model with the 10 turn pot has lots of control.

oldgrowth · Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 1:28 am Post subject:

I just got through linking my kicker to the main engine. With hydraulic steering it is not as simple as when you have mechanical steering.

I can’t raise the kicker with them tied together but can raise the main engine when they are connected.
________
Dave

ksidener · Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 9:11 pm Post subject: Twin Engines

Slightly off topic, but in the same vein. I'm the proud new owner of a 22 Cruiser w/ twin Honda 50's. I have never fished with twin motors, and would appreciate any input on trolling with these beasts.

Thanks in advance.

Kelly

Jazzmanic · Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 9:17 pm Post subject:

Kelly,

I went with Roger from SeaDNA on his boat. I believe he has twin 40's. In any case, he just shuts one motor off and trolls on the other for awhile. Then after awhile, he just switches to the other motor. Seemed to work well, we limited! Very Happy