Kicker steering

N

nordicstallion

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Dec 16, 2007
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C Dory Year
2004
C Dory Model
19 Angler
Vessel Name
Rylee Rose
Hi kids! I changed from cable steering to hydraulic a few months ago.Once it was done I realized my tie bar won't work anymore. With cable, the tie bar connected to the rod that went thru the tilt tube & gave me straight line left to right movement to operate the kicker. Now I have movement in an arch at the connection point at the motor. Hope that makes sense.Anyway, I'm wondering how others have done. Vern
 
Take a look at the easy steer system.

Bill Kelleher
 
I'll try to get some pictures tomorrow, but I used the tie bar with a bracket off the main engine cylinder frame that moves over the steering rod. Colby
 
Got this connector from Cabela's. Maybe it can work for you? Simple ball and socket for on/off and it can be bent if needed.
Mini_Jacker_3.jpg
 
Thank you kids, I think the EZ steer is what I'll go with. Vern
 
I've never owned an EZ-steer but I heard the disadvantage is that it's connected at the back of the motors, making it hard to access.

I personally use the tie bar pictured above and I really like it because it disconnects really easy. It's a spring-loaded connector the only drawback is that it rusts if not rinsed and maybe even if rinsed. I dont think the connectors are ss. Be sure to order the stainless steel bar which of course is more expensive.

I think they're made by stearns or panther.
 
You are absolutely right Jazzmanic when I bought my C Dory it had a easy steer on it. I had nothing but problems with it and a pain trying to reconnect it in the.water. I bought a steering rod and with the assistance of some kind Brats who posted some pics I fabricated and installed the connections brackets. I am totally happy with my "up front" steering system now.
Wapiti
 
I'm adding a kicker onto swim platform. Except I have an inboard engine. Any ideas how to connect a kicker to the helm?
 
Ok, here's the pictures I promised earlier. As you can see I fabricated a bracket off of my main, and then also put a bend in the tie rod. I bought this steering linkage rod from Cabellas.

DSCF0001_002.jpg
While the bend looks to be vertical in the photo, it's actually horizontal. I needed to do that to give it clearance around the main when in a turn.

DSCF0003.jpg
I had to fabricate the additional bracket so as to give the rod more clearance from the main when in a turn.
 
Vern
I have a set up very much like what Colbey is using, works good. I had use the EZ steer on my other boat And I did not like near as well. While I could keep the connector bar in place and never had to connect or disconnect while on the water, the detents on the sliding bar would wear and my kicker would start to flop around and not hold true to the main. Could never get the detents adjusted right. The solid bar will not do that and is cheaper to boot.
 
I will say, while the description of the bar I used says either motor can be raised or lowered with the bar installed, that might be the case, but it drastically effects the steering adjustment or "camber". My main doesn't seem to cause any kind of noticeable drag, so I leave it trimmed at about the same position as the kicker, when I'm using the tie rod. I put the tie rod away unless I'm using it for steering the kicker. I've also found that I can just use the kicker tiller and steer from the motor well if I desire. (In which case I raise the main up).
BTW, here's the Cabella's link:
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Auxiliar ... l+Products
 
I have used the same set up as peter on both my 22 and my 27. You can use it with either motor up or down. You just have to set it upright at the beginning. You just need the end pieces and then use any length rod that fits. I would recommend stainless rod. You can bend and cut it to fit your needs. Much better then the easy steer system and less money. I have several friend with the ez steer on their boats and once the rod gets bend or the stay screw strips you have to get another whole rod and they are not cheap. Threaded rod is easy to find in any boat or hardware store.

Only problem I have every had is that on the 22 the end of the rod was rubbing at first and only at the extreme end of travel. It wore the retaining clip thru and it fell off. I Bought another retaining clip (again any hardware or auto store with have them, well any good one) but it was not stainless steel and rotted off in a year. i now have several spares and will never need them again now that I have bought them :wink:
 
Thanks again kids! I'm on track now. Happy trails! Vern
 
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