I too require subjective advice on mounting a kicker to my boat.

[MajBach]

Hi again. So I have a Maxum 2300 SC and I’d really like to have some back-up propulsion and perhaps even the trolling option to this boat. But with it’s integrated swim platform, I’m concerned. Others here have been too I see and not all seem to have been resolved. I thought any issues I may have could be addressed with time and effort but after reading some of the suggestions here (http://forums.iboats.com/non-repair...ker-mounting-my-boat-stumped-pics-578024.html), I am not to sure.

Here’s what my boat look like:

http://www.iboats.com/sites/tradewinds/site_page_9976/images/l_maxum2300sc01002.jpg

http://yellowpub.ru/uploads/images/Gallery/Maxum/6-jpg.jpg

http://images6.boattrader.com/resiz...0318131322806_1_LARGE.jpg?w=640&h=480&1136365



and on step:
http://i.ytimg.com/vi/4U-rB1AJ8iQ/0.jpg

The dealer who sold it to me seems very informed and suggested making a sort of jig or whatchamacallit to fasten to the vertical portion of the swim platform to create a flat surface to mount normal bracket but I am worried about how low that swimplatform squats down as well as how meaty the fibreglass would need to be.
Someone seems to have accomplished it:
http://www.networkyachtbrokers.co.uk/details/19567_image_main.jpg
Wish I knew how to contact that person.

The only other option is this:
Garelick Platform Mount Bracket - 71078 at AhoyCaptain.com - Always your best source.

But from what else I have read here, it may be hard to obtain if at all and still my not have enough rigidity.

Anyone care to weigh in?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: I too require subjective advice on mounting a kicker to my boat.

I don't think for most boaters it's advisable to mount a spare motor "for back-up propulsion" and especially on one not designed to accept one. Fishermen who need a smaller motor for trolling would want to get a boat designed for that; yours is a type of pleasure boat and the swim platform a great feature for certain activities, but not rigging for fishing.

A boat's features naturally present benefits and conflicts and rare is the boat made for all uses. For example, my 21' is great for fishing but due to its high bow (designed for rough water) it won't accept a bow-mounted trolling motor.

So I would think again about putting a square peg in a round hole, now that you've researched it and found it awkward.

 

[JimS123]

Re: I too require subjective advice on mounting a kicker to my boat.

Since I won't go without a kicker, my boat choices are limited to one that will accept one. Yours doesn't seem to fit into that category, and even if you mount one it may not be user friendly.

I would forget any type of storebought bracket. If you have to build a whatchamacallit it might just as well have the mount made integral to it.

I would invision some sort of SS bracket, custom made, with fittings that mount to both vertical and holizontal surfaces. Just remember that it needs to be through-bolted everywhere. I can't invision what your boat looks like from the inside - do you have access to the transom and top of the swim platform? If no, you're looling at drilling access holes and all of the issues associated with sealing them back up.

 

[MajBach]

Re: I too require subjective advice on mounting a kicker to my boat.

I appreciate your wisdom but it would help if you added some reasoning to help me understand why. I'm thinkin...'cruisin around in the gulf islands and -WHUMP!-there goes me stern drive to a deadhead'. Now how am I gonna keep from drifting into those rocks in 500' of water or get out of the way of that ferry coming through the pass?

 

[MajBach]

Re: I too require subjective advice on mounting a kicker to my boat.

<snip> I can't invision what your boat looks like from the inside - do you have access to the transom and top of the swim platform? If no, you're looling at drilling access holes and all of the issues associated with sealing them back up.

I'll be out at the boat in a few days and I will have an 8hp 2stroke with me just to gauge sizes etc. I'm almost positive the engine compartment give clean access to the hollow of the swim platform but I will double check.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: I too require subjective advice on mounting a kicker to my boat.

I'm afraid that IMHO the best option is get a different boat OR stay out of places where a failed single engine would be potentially fatal

Next thought I have is a good anchor, trollin tabs, and sea tow.

 

[MajBach]

Re: I too require subjective advice on mounting a kicker to my boat.

I'm afraid that IMHO the best option is get a different boat OR stay out of places where a failed single engine would be potentially fatal

Next thought I have is a good anchor, trollin tabs, and sea tow.

I don't have trim tabs and if I were to get a pair Id likely use the passive kind by Nautilus, but I found this boat doesnt porpoise or list enough to warrant tabs and I threw on a Dol-Phin on the cav plate and it eliminated the ventilation I was observing and really helped to get the bow down on launch.

However, I dont know why a leg mounted electric didnt cross my mind. I queried 'trollin tabs' and I like the idea but of course these require tabs installed. There also seems to be a lot of opinions against them.

Invariably I ended up at minn-kota's web site and realized I could get a 160 lbs thrust unit to mount on my leg that has up to 20 hours of thrust. In the real world its probably more like 2 hours of useable thrust but theyre supposed to be adequate for trolling and at $1100, I'm sold on the price. So, kinda headed in that direction now. Only two drawbacks is that I cant use the kicker on a tender should I want to drag one with me once in awhile and the leg has to be down in order for the unit to operate. But, I suppose with the engine off and at slow speeds, the concern about doing damage to the leg or prop is minor. Thanks again.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: I too require subjective advice on mounting a kicker to my boat.

I appreciate your wisdom but it would help if you added some reasoning to help me understand why. I'm thinkin...'cruisin around in the gulf islands and -WHUMP!-there goes me stern drive to a deadhead'. Now how am I gonna keep from drifting into those rocks in 500' of water or get out of the way of that ferry coming through the pass?

does that happen to you often?
KNow of several others (not just one you heard about third hand)?
what do all the other single-engine boats up there do when that happens?
Are towing services available?
Don't you think you should also carry an inflatable life raft large enough for 8 in case you are 'cruisin around in the gulf islands and -WHUMP!-there goes me hull punctured by a deadhead'?

Usually you can just give a deadhead a brownie and a ticket (aka "miracle") and he'll go away peacefully.

 

[MajBach]

Re: I too require subjective advice on mounting a kicker to my boat.

does that happen to you often?
KNow of several others (not just one you heard about third hand)?
what do all the other single-engine boats up there do when that happens?
Are towing services available?
Don't you think you should also carry an inflatable life raft large enough for 8 in case you are 'cruisin around in the gulf islands and -WHUMP!-there goes me hull punctured by a deadhead'?

Usually you can just give a deadhead a brownie and a ticket (aka "miracle") and he'll go away peacefully.

Actually, it NEVER happens to me. But I don't wait to get into a car accident before I wear my seatbelt. If you look at a map of Vancouver Island on the East side about mid way up, there are 100s of coves, channels, fiords, inlets whatever to explore. And, if you've never been boating that way before, you probably cannot appreciate how much floating wood there is...everywhere. I've hit wood twice, once in each of the first two trips I made, which I why I use a comp prop with spare blades and have keel and skeg protection. Fortunately, neither impacts left so much as a scratch but they occurred nonetheless, despite a very watchful eye at the helm. So, Ive never been stranded at sea.
Ive also been out for a weekend in this area and never come across another boater either. There are areas where there is little VHF reception and of course, no cell phone coverage. Point being, I don't want to have to rely on somebody else.
Being an American built drive train, I have little faith in my Mercruiser's inherent reliability right out of the gate which doesn't of course include factors like bad gas, floating debris, or even a dead battery. I want a secondary means of propulsion, period. If I can somehow get a side benefit like being able to troll for an hour, that would factor well into my approach.
I do carry a four man inflatable but I question if I could utilize it in a sinking boat situation. Besides, in most areas, getting to land is more dangerous than remaining on the boat. So, in a completely plausible scenario which is: less than a mile from shore, no communication to Coast Guard or Sea Tow, with a dead motor and not a life threatening situation, I want something that will take me at least 5 miles but ideally, three or four times that. No problem with a kicker. With electric thrust on the leg it will be a stretch depending on battery capacity and the ability to recharge. So far, what I read here is a 165 lb thrust unit is barely equivalent to 2 hp but I am inclined to think that's from people who only think they know what they're talking about. Minn Kota says their unit is good enough to troll up to 8000 lbs. That sounds optimistic to me. Then again, I threw on an old 31 lb thrust motorguide to my friends 25' Sundancer (5400 lbs dry) and we may have got 2 kts out of it (downhill perhaps and it took sometime to get there. So, 165lbs of thrust on a vessel 1000 lbs lighter should fare pretty well. I think for $1100 it's worth the risk when I compare it to the cost and work involved to get a kicker on my boat, not to mention how much of an eye-sore it would be.

P.S., I hand out tickets for a living. They never "go away".

 

[briangcc]

Re: I too require subjective advice on mounting a kicker to my boat.

The "example" you use looks something like this from Basspro:

Panther by MarineTech 4-Stroke Bracket - Model 55-0416 | Bass Pro Shops


Here's the iboats equivalent (lesser capacity):

http://www.iboats.com/Garelick-Stai...50111942--session_id.203890966--view_id.38063

Now whether that actually works on your boat remains to be seen as it appears to be designed for a flat transom and not something with complex curves like yours has. Since we're talking about your boat, which of the above pics is actually your boat as you show (3) different models and years which have different mounting surfaces.

I wouldn't do it as if you plunge the transom into the water, that mounting bracket and your spare outboard may be taking on water. I don't know about you but powerheads and submersion don't seem like a good combo. Might want to look for something with a less curved transom, Starcraft Islander?, so that you can accomplish what you're attempting to do.

Good luck if you decide to plug ahead with this as rigging controls and gas lines to the kicker is going to get interesting.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: I too require subjective advice on mounting a kicker to my boat.

the reason I suggested the tabs is because in your scenario you lose your outdrive... the drive mounted troller would go with it.

Maybe what you need is an inflatable, an outboard, and a tow rope all stowed on board somehow

 

[MajBach]

Re: I too require subjective advice on mounting a kicker to my boat.

<snip>

Now whether that actually works on your boat remains to be seen as it appears to be designed for a flat transom and not something with complex curves like yours has. Since we're talking about your boat, which of the above pics is actually your boat as you show (3) different models and years which have different mounting surfaces.

I wouldn't do it as if you plunge the transom into the water, that mounting bracket and your spare outboard may be taking on water. I don't know about you but powerheads and submersion don't seem like a good combo. Might want to look for something with a less curved transom, Starcraft Islander?, so that you can accomplish what you're attempting to do.

The dealer, who has been watching this thread has since advised me that I will need a bracket that lifts the motor up, out of the water. He seems to think it's quite do-able with Starboard backing and heavy duty washers in the inside. I'm inclined to agree. As far as rigging goes, I'm content on using a kicker with an internal tank and tiller steering. Not ideal for trolling I know, but thats a secondary benefit.
You are correct that those three pics are from different boats, but all have the same swim platform profile. I think the one thats underway is deceivingly low in the water as it is hidden by a wave closer to the camera. Suffice is to say however that the swim platform is low enough that simply trailering a kicker wont get it out of the water during a holeshot.
Im going to give the electric motor option full consideration for now anyway.

 

[MajBach]

Re: I too require subjective advice on mounting a kicker to my boat.

the reason I suggested the tabs is because in your scenario you lose your outdrive... the drive mounted troller would go with it.

Maybe what you need is an inflatable, an outboard, and a tow rope all stowed on board somehow

I'm also considering putting a fold-up heli-pad on the bow just in case the inflatable leaks, the outboard wont start and no one around to tow me.

 

[briangcc]

Re: I too require subjective advice on mounting a kicker to my boat.

My only suggestion, since you seem set on a dedicated outboard, is to have the installing dealer install a backer board to spread the weight out. You're talking about a lot of force that that particular section of boat was not designed to take. Washers seem like they wouldn't do a sufficient job of spreading the load. But hey, I overdesign everything I do...I have Grade 8 bolts holding the front bumper of my Trans Am on...it ain't going nowhere!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: I too require subjective advice on mounting a kicker to my boat.

Now that you 'splained it, i'd agree you are one of the few candidates here who could use back-up propulsion.

An electric trolling motor is a good way to go--and if you get a 12 volt model you will have at least 2 batteries on board to run it.

One of the problems with buying an OB kicker (beside the high cost to get a reliable one) is that you have to use it every couple weeks to be sure it remains reliable. It might also require a seperate fueling system, tank and hoses. Major theft magnet. That's why my subjective advice for most (not all, not you) is that kickers for back-up only are not worth it. Exceptions also include those who already own a small OB and those who really need them for trolling.

 

[JimS123]

Re: I too require subjective advice on mounting a kicker to my boat.

Being an American built drive train, I have little faith in my Mercruiser's inherent reliability right out of the gate

Well, then that settles it. Trade her in for one that is manufactured by a more reliable company.

 

[JimS123]

Re: I too require subjective advice on mounting a kicker to my boat.

The dealer, who has been watching this thread has since advised me that I will need a bracket that lifts the motor up, out of the water. He seems to think it's quite do-able with Starboard backing and heavy duty washers in the inside. I'm inclined to agree. As far as rigging goes, I'm content on using a kicker with an internal tank and tiller steering. Not ideal for trolling I know, but thats a secondary benefit.

For your setup, a retractable bracket will be hard to use. You might fall overboard trying to get it up and down. If the mount is positioned correctly, you can merely tilt the motor up and it'll be out of the way. I've run many boats with kickers and that's preferable if it fits. Since you need to go custom, just design it to fit.

Tiller is OK, but For the size of your boat, IMHO you need a 9.9 at minimum. That'll use a remote tank. Any model with an integral tank will be too small.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: I too require subjective advice on mounting a kicker to my boat.

I'm also considering putting a fold-up heli-pad on the bow just in case the inflatable leaks, the outboard wont start and no one around to tow me.

I was being serious.... an inflatable will roll up pretty small and can then be stowed below, lashed to the bow, OR you can keep it inflated and attached to the stern with weaver snap davits... the tow rope would be simple and the outboard is the only difficult item to stow.... some boats have room and others don't...

add an epirb and you are ready for pretty much anything... PLUS you can anchor the boat and go ashore in the dingy when exploring

 

[MajBach]

Re: I too require subjective advice on mounting a kicker to my boat.

Well, then that settles it. Trade her in for one that is manufactured by a more reliable company.

If only Honda made I/Os *SIGH*.

 

[MajBach]

Re: I too require subjective advice on mounting a kicker to my boat.

I was being serious.... an inflatable will roll up pretty small and can then be stowed below, lashed to the bow, OR you can keep it inflated and attached to the stern with weaver snap davits... the tow rope would be simple and the outboard is the only difficult item to stow.... some boats have room and others don't...

add an epirb and you are ready for pretty much anything... PLUS you can anchor the boat and go ashore in the dingy when exploring

I meant no offense but I did think you were being facetious. I do carry an inflatable and high volume inflator, both in their original box in the floor storage. 300' feet of tow rope, block and tackle, carabiners..the works; for swift water rescue (we have some wicked tides through passages here). I dare say I might even be able to stow an 8hp motor in there too with what room I have left. I also carry a SPOT device wherever I go in addition to the usual survival equip.