Advice requested re: 22 cruiser kicker controls

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Papacorn

New member
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Just registered to this forum. I'm getting close to buying a new 22 cruiser. Will be fishing out of it (west coast of BC) a lot. Would appreciate some opinions on how to set up the kicker controls as I plan to troll with the kicker a lot.
 
I found the best of all worlds was full control at the helm including steering. I didn't fish alone most of the time, and had ready access to the sonar/fish finder as well as full awareness of what was ahead and to the sides. I had that on my 22 and I don't have it yet on the 25. It's harder to do on the 25 the way it is currently set up. I only have throttle control and steering using the main which isn't the best.
 
Papacorn, first off, welcome. The best addition to our CD22, was a remote throttle controller from Controllking. I found you could adjust the rpms with more accuracy than using the handle throttle, and comes with several other useful features. Easy to install and operate. For steering from the helm, our boat came with a tie-bar that snapped onto both motors, connecting them.

Mark
 
I had twin Honda 40's on my 22 and just trolled on one of them In this case (of course), the steering was from the helm. This works fine for fishing and I managed to catch plenty of fish with that setup but it wasn't ideal to have to run back and forth to the helm - especially when single handed. However, on more than one occasion, I managed to back into the cabin to operate controls with a fish on the line. However, with this setup, the boat fished best with 3 people - 1 at the helm, one at a rod and one with a net. When we had a double and we weren't in a crowded fishery (e.g. plenty of space in front of me), I'd just leave it in gear and go back to net. I'd also troll down wind on windy days since it's impossible to keep the boat heading straight up wind without constant helm input.

If I were to do it again, I'd do a single and a 6-9hp kicker. However, I don't think I'd tie the kicker to the helm steering. I'd go with a TR-1 autopilot and hand held controller. If you have a good size fish on and it make a run sideways, it's nice to be able to turn away from it without going up to the helm. Single handed, big fish, kicker tied to the helm, sideways run = lost fish. If you can't afford the TR-1, I'd prefer a long handle on the kicker and manual control so I can deal with it from the cockpit.
 
I'm not much of a fisherman, but I've had several setups (17' Arima with dual controls and tie bar, 22' Osprey I/O with cockpit steering and TR1 Gold, and now rogerbum's CD22 with dual BF40s) and here's my input:

#1 - install cockpit steering - it's handy when fishing, crabbing, docking, gunkholing, etc.

#2 - tie engines together for steering OR get a TR1 Gold (which can control steering AND throttle)

#3 - Install duplicate engine controls (prohibitively expensive with twin Hondas <sigh>)

#4 - If you have hydraulic steering, take a look at the RayMarine S1000 autopilot. It is not ideal for trolling at very slow speeds, works well otherwise.
 
m4boots said:
Papacorn, first off, welcome. The best addition to our CD22, was a remote throttle controller from Controllking. I found you could adjust the rpms with more accuracy than using the handle throttle, and comes with several other useful features. Easy to install and operate. For steering from the helm, our boat came with a tie-bar that snapped onto both motors, connecting them.

Mark
Click to expand...


Exactly!!!! :wink:
 
I have a tillerless Yamaha 9.9hp kicker that is contoled at the helm. I have a standard dual binnacle set-up like if I had twin engines. Can control both throttle and foward/neutral/reverse. I did have a Controllking before, good set-up. It is just a radio control servo hard wired to a control box. The servos do go bad, mine did. Just get a replacement at a good hobby shop. You can up grade to a much better servo, metal gears, more torque for less money than with a factory replacement
 
Thanks all, please keep it coming. I should have mentioned that I will be fishing alone a lot and that I do want throttle and steering control in the cockpit. Steering with the tiller arm on this boat seems quite awkward to me.
 
Take a look at Snoopy-C photo album. He has the best set up for fishing in a 22' that I have seen here. Mine is all controlled from the cabin. It works but sometimes rods come in the cabin when fighting fish on solo trips to avoid trouble.

Chris
 
Papacorn, what Roger said is absolutely correct. The tie-bar I referred to has two slide locks, one on each end. I fish single handed 50% of the time and once back in the cockpit, it was simple to unclip the kicker from the tie-bar and use the tiller handle to steer and throttle the motor as the remote has an over-ride feature, enabling you to go where you need. The kicker could also be operated by sitting on the starboard lazarette and enjoying the weather or visiting with friends. Lots of ways to make it work.
 
My 22 is powered by Honda 90 and honda 9.9 kicker. The kicker is equipped with a removable link so it can be directed from the stern or helm. For throttle add a fish pro remote. This gives you very fine adjustment for trolling with a memory feature and you can install the palm size control box on a leash which allows you to take it from the helm to the cockpit, or you can turn it off and use the kicker arm. We chose the 9.9 power tilt and start model, which is worth the extra cash and you can still pull start the 9.9 and charge up a dead battery in a pinch. Also, if the fuel line for the 9.9 is installed with a quick connect you can take the extra fuel tank which sits in the well between the larger tanks and if the main fuel system is down due to bad fuel or any reason, you can run the 9.9 all the way to help off emergency fuel.
In order for all of this system to work (kicker arm/ well conflict while turning), you will need to mount the kicker starboard side which also allows room for a swim step on the port side.
 
For the best trolling setup (IMHO) you really want the TR-1 gold (if the budget will handle it). It can maintain phenomenal control at low speeds and with the remote you can take over control from a preset course at any time.
 
Thanks folks for all the input. I'd like to describe the set up I'm leaning toward, why I think I want it and I'd appreciate some feedback. Don't hold back please, I have a thick hide.

First I'd like to control the kicker throttle with a Trollking so I can control speed from anywhere in the boat.
I'll tie the main engine and kicker with a removable rod for steering so I can steer from the cabin. For cockpit steering I'll install a second helm for the main engine. This gives me the added benefit when docking by myself, this may be quite frequent. I'll mount the electronics in such a way that I can see them from both helms.

Again I'd appreciate any feedback/critique. Thanks.
 
Given your intent to operate from the cockpit and desire to see the electronics, you may want to wire your display with 20" or so of extra cord harness and use a mount with two bases. This will allow the display to be in front of the wheel for long cabin runs and for it to be mounted over the center opening where it will be in direct line of site from the cockpit. This set up also lets you program way points from the forward facing seat or while standing.
 
There were several references to kicker throttle control using a ControllKing. Is the Trollmaster as good or better product? What about relative price? I am looking to purchase and install a throttle control on my Honda 8 hp trolling motor and would appreciate some pro and con comments.
Thanks
wapiti
 
Hi, I used to have Snoopy-C which has been referred to in this forum. I had the trollmaster for in-cabin speed control of the trolling motor, plus the outside helm with full kicker controls independent of the trollmaster. I linked the main with the trolling motor via tie bar and had hydraulic seastar steering. I like the trollmaster quite well -- it worked fine, and had a quick setting for idle without resetting the speed control when fighting a fish. I have a similar setup on my new C-Dory ( an 89 Cruiser with Mercury 4 stroke main, and mercury 2-stroke kicker) except I do not have the trollmaster. I do miss having that. Total steering, throttle, and shifting control from the cockpit is great for fighting fish and for docking with the kicker. It is amazing the great control the kicker can provide when linked to the main which are both steering. Thanks for the compliments on the setup. The only thing I would improve on would be to have a larger gps in the cockpit station for watching structure.
 
Thanks all, especially digger (ron). Once I get the boat rigged, in the water, first fish, I'll post to let you know how it all works out.
 
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