Kicker Motor Mounting height

[sgobat@msn.com]

I am thinking about mounting a 20 inch shaft, 9.8 kicker motor on a 22 inch transom. The boat is a 16 foot Smokercraft Pro-Alaskan with a 28 Evinrude (25 Inch shaft) main engine. Since this will be a kicker/trolling motor that is not likely to get the boat up on plane is the 20 inch shaft going to be adequate, with the cavitation plate located two inches above the bottom of the boat?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Kicker Motor Mounting height

use an adjustable mount bracket,

 

[sgobat@msn.com]

Re: Kicker Motor Mounting height

Thanks! I have allready considered that option but I have a bad back. Leaning over the main motor well and the transom to reach the kicker will not be the best thing for my back. I can go for a 25" shaft on the kicker. The additional cost would be about equal to adding a good quality outboard bracket. I was just hoping I could save a few hundred dollars by using a 20 inch shaft.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Kicker Motor Mounting height

you are still going to have to tilt the kicker, when crusing with the 28, or have and extreme amount of drag, and spray from the foot of the 9.9.

 

[F_R]

Re: Kicker Motor Mounting height

There is a very good chance that the kicker will be OK at that height, since it probably won't plane. One of those things that you just have to try.

 

[sgobat@msn.com]

Re: Kicker Motor Mounting height

Thank you gentlemen! I know I can't avoid tilting the motor unless I spring for power tilt but tilting from the transom will be easier than leaning over the transom to an outboard bracket.

I did speak to a local dealer and he said that the 20 inch shaft should be okay but there was a possibility that, at RPM's above 3,000 the engine could suck air from the surface instead of water. What do you think?

 

[JCF350]

Re: Kicker Motor Mounting height

Should happen a lot sooner than 3,000 rpm. Might happen at anything over idle speed. I'd go with a long shaft.

 

[F_R]

Re: Kicker Motor Mounting height

That's why I said it's one of those things that you just have to try. At some point between idle and planing it will suck air (ventilate). But we aren't expecting planing speed, so don't know if you will reach that ventilation point or not.

 

[burroak]

Re: Kicker Motor Mounting height

After looking up a photo of your boat, I would try first of all to use the motor in the original transom position. If that doesn't do it for you, do minor surgery on the transom. Cut out the least amount possible to lower the motor to accommodate the ventilation plate. Aluminum plate, angle or channel should beef up the transom enough. Don't worry about resale.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Kicker Motor Mounting height

Do you already have this motor, or are you looking at buying it?


It's not uncommmon to do it that way, although there's not much of a V at the stern on those hulls, there is some, so it may not be as tall where the kicker mounts, like has been said, if you already have it, try it. For trolling it should be fine and if it does suck some air, you could try a fin, they can help with ventilation.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Kicker Motor Mounting height

If flat water, and no waves..fine. First boat that goes by, the wave will rock the boat, and there goes the cavitation. Happens on my 20 footer, and I got the prop pretty well in the water. Something to consider.

 

[sgobat@msn.com]

Re: Kicker Motor Mounting height

Thanks for the help. I probably will go for the extra long shaft just to be safe. I know I would probably never buy a boat that has been chopped up unless it was done by an excellent professional (which I am not).

Agsain thanks for the assistance. Now that I have found iBoats I am sure I will be back with more questions.

 

[sgobat@msn.com]

Re: Kicker Motor Mounting height

It's all good! I took the boat in to a local dealer and tried mounting a Nissan 9.8 with a 20 inch long shaft on the 22 inch transom. Well the cavitation plate on the motor came in about 2 inches below the bottom of the boat. Apparantly a 20 inch shaft means 20 inches plus. Looks like I am good to go.

Again thanks for everyones help.