Outboard Trolling ("kicker") Information

[Bluelab]

My boat is a 1990 Javelin 378 FS. It's about 18' feet long and is powered by a Johnson 150 VRO. I am thinking about installing a trolling motor to the right of my Johnson. What size engine (HP) would I need? Could I put the gas tank in my bilge on top of my gas tank...or where would you recommend I put the gas tank? Can I link the trolling motor to the steering mechanism of my Johnson so I can steer the boat with my steering wheel? I am kind of "brain storming" this issue. Please advise. Thank you.

 

[poconojoe]

I believe there is a linkage that you can use to tie the two engines together giving you steering for both.

 

[Sea Rider]

Probably a bad idea as you need to raise aux engine out of water or lower tail will achieve unwanted drag issues when main is in current use. Personally would leave it tiller steering and independent from main.

Happy Boating

 

[Teamster]

A 9.9hp should be good, 4 stroke is the way to go,...

Plum the fuel to your existing tank,..

I-Boats sells a tie bar to run between to motors,....

What kind of bracket are you mounting to hand the kicker on??
If I remember those have a bass boat type transom area,...

 

[Rick Stephens]

Most of the kicker steering attachments are quick release. So no issue with raising or lowering or whatever. I tried one for a bit and still ended going back to just the tiller for 2 reasons - 1) I seem to spend most of my time at the stern working the downriggers and lines, and 2) I can still use the IO for a rudder. Works well enough for most tasks when trolling,

If you get a new motor, they are a lot more effective/efficient than the older motors. You'll want a 6-8 hp maximum for current production high output outboards on an 18 foot boat.

I got a 10 horse '84 Honda 4 stroke. It putts along at about .8 mph at idle. That is perfect for kokanee. If I was fishing for almost any other type of fish I'd be looking for 1.2-1.5 mph as my minimum and could use a bigger more efficient motor. But the Honda serves well and I figure it will still be ticking away long after I'm able to enjoy it.

You must get a 4 stroke for trolling, 2 strokes don't like idling for hours at a time. Don't get carried away about HP with newer model high output motors unless your kicker is also your backup power out in the ocean. The smaller motors do a better job of quietly putting along at the speeds you want for most game fish in fresh water.

I plumbed my outboard right out of my fuel water separator filter. Put the primer bulb inside my engine compartment and a quick disconnect fuel fitting on the stern right by my motor mount. Plug in, pump a little and off we go. I stuck a 6 gallon tank in the ski locker as backup fuel and have never used it.

Rick

 

[ondarvr]

The 9.9 will work fine, don't go smaller than 9.9 on a new motor, most are single cylinder models that are loud and vibrate, it gets annoying fast. Any of the older 2 strokes will be fine, you can troll for weeks on end with no issues, they have no problems running slow. Again buy only a 2 cylinder motor no matter what it is.

A Panther steering linck will work very well if you want to steer from the wheel.

 

[Rick Stephens]

I'd certainly agree with the twin statement. I've seen a number of 9.9s on lighter boats that required a trolling plate to go slow enough. Hence the warning.

 

[ondarvr]

All you need to do is pick the correct prop for the desired speed.

 

[Bluelab]

Thank you all for your replies. I've looking at 4 stroke Yamaha's. a F9.9 (9.0 @ 5500 rpm Manual/Electric Start and a T9.9 (high trust...9.9 @5500 rpm Manual/Electric start). There is a F8 model...but from this thread, I gather that would be insufficient (manual start only). What say yee? The stern of my boat's transom only has room for my 150 Johnson. That said, I would need some kind of bracket secured to the starboard side of my stern...which is at an angle. So, I have to clue if a kicker can be attached to my starboard stern. I will try to upload a picture. Thanks again for your input.

 

[Rick Stephens]

No Title

You'll have to add a bracket. I made mine. Not to start a battle, as it is mostly subjective. But I'd still be hard pressed before I'd go 9.9, which is a lot bigger motor than the 8. The 8 HP models are all twins. so that is not a factor. But I guess it does matter how fast you want to troll at. I'm looking at .8 to 2 mph for most of what I do. My buddy bought a 9.9 Merc and its a lot bigger mount and has a lot of trouble getting down to 1 mph. Do you know what your boat weighs? A dealer will also be a good source for choosing the right setup based on the weight of your boat and what you want the kicker to do.

 

[ondarvr]

The F8 works well, a little lighter and smaller than the old T8 and T9.9. The speed issue seems to confound many people, it's a simple prop switch, or have the stock prop modified, you can troll at any speed you wish by doing this.

 

[Teamster]

I think the t-9 also has trim and tilt which is nice to have on a kicker,....

You can get a 4 blade lower pitch prop right here on I-Boats,...

I run a 4 blade 5.5 pitch on my merc 9.9 four stroke,.....

 

[nphilbro]

No Title

A 9.9 is pretty standard up here the PNW for salmon fishing, I use a hydraulic tilt up bracket on the kicker jut because it's easier to manage and easier to start again. I'd much rather use a steering tie bar but they pinch my fuel lines with the bracket. I use a 25hp kicker but that's just a little offshore insurance.

 

[Bluelab]

Thank you all for your input. You've been most helpful. Another question. I was walking my dog and I saw this fishing boat (not a bass boat...it had a V hull)...anyway, I saw his "kicker" and it was a Min Kota Vantage electric transom trolling motor. Does anyone have an opinion on the trolling motor? I was certainly surprised to see it. I did not know there was such a technology.

 

[fishin98]

I ran a 5hp 4str long shaft Merc on my 2000 Bayliner Capri Cuddy. You can purchase the quick coupler shaft from ******* and adapt it to fit your boat set up. I had mount made at a fabrication shop. The 5hp enabled me to really run a slow troll.

 

[Rick Stephens]

If you run electric, the bow mount units don't wander as much. I have not talked with anyone who had the Vantage. Big bad boy, that's for sure. I ran an electric transom mount for a while and it was hard to keep the boat going in the same direction, constant needing adjustment. Some of that would depend on the hull and how far down the prop is. But most of the wandering is resolved by bow mounted units.