Kicker/Trolling motor question

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cemiii

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C Dory Year
1987
C Dory Model
22 Angler
Vessel Name
The Last One........ III
Does anyone have a short (15") kicker motor on their transom. If so how does it work at slow speeds?

I'm having some problems with my 8hp long shaft and I have a nice running 15hp shorty sitting in the garage. I threw it on the transom just to see how it fit and the cav. plate is only about an inch above the plane of the bottom of my angler with the prop/water intakes about a foot back from the transom. It would seem at slow displacement speeds that the water probably would come up fast enough that this may be ok until I fix the long shaft or find and install an extention on the 15.

Obviously this is a do at your own risk proposition but I'm wondering if anyone has experience with what I might expect. I guess taking it along as a back up 'get home' is better than nothing but dare I try actually trolling with it? Thanks, chris
 
Chris-

I haven't used a short shaft in a trolling application on a larger 20" transom boat, but the anti-ventilation plate would seem to be placed OK for the displacement speeds you be getting.

The biggest drawback will be the inconvenience of operating the motor so low behind the transom as far as starting, throttle, shifting, and steering (Assuming you've adjusted the kicker motor mount as low as it will go.)

It might draw some air in bobbing around in chop, but shouldn't overheat the motor, IMHO.

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
Thanks, Sea Wolf. I have A SS rod that connects the motor (on the 8 now) to the main and a 3' extention handle that fits the throttle, it starts pretty easily but it is a total pain to raise or lower it (if not in the parking lot!)
 
I have used 15" kickers on 20" transoms--best if you have it on a mount which articulates and goes lower to the water--As Joe says, more difficult to get to the controls. Forget reverse, with the short shaft--the water prop wash just hits the transom...It works fine at low speeds. But you will not much better "power" with the 15 than the 8 hp--depending on prop.
 
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