Kicker Motor Help. Noobie

[swanderek]

Hello everyone,

I have a 16 foot spectrum aluminium boat. I am looking to add a kicker motor, (added safety on the salt water) but don't know if I need a bracket or just a sail boat shaft. My main motor is a 35 horse with a 20inch shaft.
My problem is, I have high sides on the back where I would mount it. From the top to the bottom of the boat, is 27.5 inches.
What are my options for a kicker.
Thanks for your help.

 

[SuperD]

Can we get a picture of your transom? It would help us with giving some ideas.

 

[swanderek]

Pics

Pics of the boat with Tape.

 

[MackayGuy]

I gotta ask....you said add a kicker for safety in salt water??? A 16' boat in salt water? As in the ocean?

Have you considered an electric trolling motor? Even a transom mount electric?

 

[swanderek]

Kicker

Puget sound . Going to be taking little ones out and I have bad memories about being stuck as a kid. Want a gas 5-7 horse, but not sure about shaft length or kicker mount. Just want a backup way home.

 

[MackayGuy]

Ah....makes sense. That transom is pretty tall where one would normally mount a kicker. You might check a 25 inch shaft motor to see, when mounted, where the prop would be in relation to the boat bottom. Also check out the Minn Kota Vantage electric kicker.

 

[swanderek]

Kicker mount

So if I get a kicker bracket that lowers and raises the motor... are those pretty generic??? Do I need a short or long shaft gas kicker??

 

[SuperD]

After seeing the picture, I'd vote going for a bracket. They are pretty generic but you might decide whether you want manual or power lift.

 

[swanderek]

Shaft

With a bracket, should I do short or long shaft... or does it matter?

 

[mrmike]

Swanderk

Just to add my two scents.A Kicker is a great idea it will improve your fishing opportunities and safety. You may just look into a custom made bracket those your looking at are not that stable. Your going to need a long shaft with a custom bracket you'll have a stable unit when towing. You will be able to troll at lower speeds to be more affective in the salt. A custom aluminum bracket is not that expensive. Good luck on your choice,been there just my 2 cents.

 

[SuperD]

I disagree about needing a long shaft. The bracket ratchets up and down so that it can be lowered. Look how low the main motor is mounted in the well. The kicker can be mounted equally as low.

 

[swanderek]

Shaft

Thanks everyone for your help. I see a lot more used 2 stroke short shafts for sale.
With a short shaft wil handling be about the same? Will the controls be so low in the water I have to reach way down to steer?

 

[mrmike]

Why do you think all them short shaft are for sale,I've witness kickers on the highway from them brackets. Trying to support all that weight going down the road. Good luck to you. That brackets is going to drop down and your going to go crazy trying to troll with it,extension handle is next. Fishing your on your kicker a lot,

 

[SuperD]

Short shaft or long shaft, I'd never put a tiller control on one of my boats. If that is the way the OP is headed then I will respectfully drop out of the conversation. I will point out one issue with going long shaft anything. I think adding a steer bar to the main will be very difficult.

 

[swanderek]

Tiller

No way on the tiller.
Looks like for practical and comfort, a mount with a long shaft is the way to go.

 

[swanderek]

Well

Could I mount a short shaft but connect it to the main for steering? Could that work with the lowering and raising of the kicker with a mount
In it?
Sorry for all the questions and thank you so much

 

[Bduck]

There is another way to go by putting a remote troll that a kicker will mount on. This eliminates the use of a long tiller handle and gives you the freedom to move about your boat while steering. I used one for years with no complaints. This can help you determine the short shaft or long shaft also.

www.remotetroll.com