Kicker Mounting

[Mike]

Heading out today to oregon to get the new rig. I will be mounting a remote troll on the back through the transom. I'll be adding backing plates on the inside for a little more support. My kicker is a 15 h.p. yam 2-stroke. I was wondering if this is too heavy for the transom I'm guessing no but would like some opinions to make me feel at ease. Also the boat only has a swim step on the starboard side. The kicker will go port side which leaves me with the problem of where to place the fuel tank for the kicker? My mind is in overdrive about rigging this boat and I haven't even laid a hand on it yet. Anybody have any good ideas for placing the fuel tank other than drilling additional holes through the hull, or buying a 4-stroke 4moremney


Thanks Guys

 

[dragonfly]

what kind of boat is it? inboard outboard. I would come off the main tank with a filter and use that to feed the kicker ('never mind if you have to mix oil with your gas I just re read you have a 2 stroke').if you can see in the back ground I have the fuel line both hyd lines and electrical for the tr-1 the pos amd neg for the 9.9 and transducer for the digi-troll's coming thru an intake vent in the rear. keeps every thing in one place. something to think about. dfly

 

[SuperD]

I looked at the stern shot of your boat and it appears that the swim step will be about your only option for the fuel tank if you go with the 2 stroke kicker. The boat being an I/O means you have nothing else really hanging off that transom, weight won't be a problem at all. My first inclination would be to see if the swim platform could be moved to the port side so that all your cables could run up the gunnel to the helm without being a mess at the back of the boat.

 

[Bduck]

My boat came with a ladder platform on the starboard side but removed it for ease of inference with downriggers. Mounted a 4stroke kicker on port side using a troll daddy system which is basic to a remote troll. The backing plate inboard is a must to maintain strength with the transom. Remote Troll recommends using a transom saver supporting the kicker while in tow. Using a rigid not a self adjusting saver attached at the trailer gives it firm stability. Will be mounting a new remote troll soon to mine which I have already purchased.

 

[Mike]

Thanks for the help fellas, I'll have to just play with my options when i get the boat. Probably not going to sleep much tonight, made it to Boise... Next stop Eugene boat will be on the back of the pickup in less than 24hrs. thumbsup

 

[Bogey]

I don't have any suggestions for you, but I did want to tell you to enjoy the whole process! I know how frigging excited/nervous/at times maybe even second guessing you probably are...in 2001 we drove from Washington State to Arkansas to pick up our first "real boat", lol, to us anyway! - I was a nervous damn wreck as it got closer and closer after MONTHS of research/negotiations, etc... Then as we made our way south I was still nervous, but my oh my was I excited!!!! LOL, blah, blah, blah, just wanted you to know I'm excited for you - enjoy it!!!

 

[calamari]

I/Os sometimes have a little room down in the bilge in front of or alongside the engine. A friend keeps his kicker tank in his bilge with a hose going up and through a bellows through the transom a lot like D'fly's setup. You can have an aluminum tank made that would fit in there I bet. It's been a long time ago but I had a 50 gallon tank custom made for my boat that was cheap at the time. A 4-5 gallon tank is all you'd need and it could be narrow, long and high or with kick outs to fit in the space you've got.
After all you've got to remember that a boat is a number of things with it being a hole in the water you pour money into most applicable in this case.

 

[SuperD]

Since I/O's specifically have fans to exhaust fumes before starting the engine, adding a kicker fuel tank in that area might be a little touchy. And it may be no concern at all. I know most portable tanks are vented and hence put out a lot of fumes.

 

[dragonfly]

Dave's right. the coast gaurd dosn't want the fuel tank under any thing that isn't ventalated I had a smokercraft tiller that had a seat box that was open on the end and my fuel tank fit in there perfect but when inspected said it had to be in the open and I couldn't even put it under the splash well for fear of fumes building up. I thought that was a little much. but on a hot day the fumes could build up and ignite and the last thing I would want is some one getting burned. I know you have a 2 stroke and don't want to buy another eng. but like you don't want to hear a 4 stroke would be a lot easier to plumb and you don't have to mix oil or smell 2 stroke smoke while fishing.just my 2 cents worth. dfly

 

[calamari]

Yes, fumes would be an issue but that's why there is a fan on the I/O engine compartment. The fan is to vent gasoline fumes from the engine and would also vent fumes from any tank mounted within that compartment. They don't want you putting a tank in an unvented enclosed space because of fume buildup that could reach an explosive ratio of oxtgen to fuel but that shouldn't be an issue in the I/O engine compartment due to its vent system and fan.
If you put in a special tank you could also put in an outside filler and vent so that no gas is spilled or fumes accumulate in the engine compartment.
Check with the Coast guard Auxilliary nearest you and I'd do it in person because they are often less than helpful over the phone and just reach a conclusion based being too quick with a reply and then stick with it. I've had them change their mind after actually showing them what was being done.

 

[dragonfly]

as long as the fill and vent is on the outside. it would be no different than the belly tank that is in there now. but like cal said talk with the coast guard before making any fuel changes especially if you have any safty concerns,because when they inspect, then isn't the time to find out it is wrong.your picture dosn't show up on my page but I have seen where guys lay down a cheep rubber mat and set the gas tank on top and strap it down you can see in the photo the cast aluminum eyes on each side of 'dragonfly' on the back are bolt on and I use them to tie down my large cooler when crabbing you could do something like that and secure the fuel tank and other uses. dfly

 

[Mike]

Not sure what I'll do yet... Made it home today with no incident's no flat tires no trailer bearing issues other than the trailer needs rewired ... but what trailer doesn't? Also this is my first trailer with surge breaks and i'm not sure their working very well i'll have to do some reading on them. The truck just hummed down the interstate and right up over dead man's pass. I did pick up some extra weight on the way from all the rain, my fish boxes were full !laugh hyst. Thanks everyone for all the comments and sharing my excitement! I've decided to go with cannon mag 5's, those lil guys should serve my purpose perfectly! Once I get the boat cleaned up and get everything mounted up I'll post some fresh pics!

 

[calamari]

One last observation about mounting tanks on swim steps or other places outside of the boat. They will be soaked with water. If on the ocean, salt water. Water being in fuel supplies is already enough of a problem without making it worse by putting your tank where it gets doused all the time. Also, there will be a temptation to fill it on the swim step or wherever and thereby spilling gas and oil (2 cycle) into the water. Bad for water quality and a potential ticket in certain waters.