Garelick motor mount for kicker

Ok, got the kicker on now so that installation project is pretty much finished. However, I'm curious now as to the height others have set their kickers at, and what height they found best. As I have mine now, the cavitation plate sits about 2" below the bottom of my boat. Should this be a good heigth? It's all pretty much in line with my main. Colby

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Thanks Chuck. Actually after staring at it for a while, I decided that it should be a little higher. I figured maybe the cavitation plate on it should also be even with the bottom of the boat. Just wanted to make sure that the little exhaust holes in the back of the shaft stayed out of the water. So I raised it 2 inches. I'll have to add more photos to my album here later. Now, both the main and the kicker is at a height that puts their cavitation plates even with the bottom of the boat. I still haven't gotten it in the water this season yet. Hoped to today, but spent most the day continuing to fine tune the kicker mounting, and working on the storage in the V-berth. Colby
 
Colby As long as the kicker is out of the water when you have it tilted and are running on a plane I think I would leave it as is. It darn sure won't hurt it.
 
Too late. ;-) Already raised it. Here are some photos of the final position I mounted it. Guess I'll find out when I finally get it launched this season how it works. Also, to better secure it to the boat, I drilled a couple of holes through the little plate along the bottom of the Kickers mounting bracket. I can also leave the lock and cable I currently have installed on it, but not sure I want to do that when I'm using the boat. How do others secure their kickers? Any problems with the mounting screw posts coming lose? Colby

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The next image shows the two machine screws I drilled holes for and installed through the little bracket on the kicker, and the mini jacker mount. That little bracket is right along the bottom of the Kickers mounting bracket.

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If I am staying on the boat, I leave the kicker on its bracket. If I am leaving it in a storage lot etc, I will take the motor off and secure it below. I do use some 3/16" cables covered with vinyl, but they are fairly easy to cut. I also use the motor screw locks--but those are also fairly easy to cut off.

In your case, your several extra screws are some extra security. If you want to use these as security you might want to peen the bolt threads over the nut.
 
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