Steve B
02-27-2004, 10:57 AM
I am getting ready to purchase a kicker motor.I trolled Erie last year by using my main motor. It did fine, but I'm looking to cut down the time on the hour meter, as well as cut down some fuel costs. I'm not a penny pincher, but I'm sure that the savings over the season would take a bit off of the initial investment of the kicker, not to mention the availability of a second source of power in case of breakdown of the main motor.
I plan on buying the best kicker plate/bracket available. I had one of the cheaper models on a previous boat, and it worked fine. It was one of the ones Cabelas offers for about $100. I see that they also have one rated for 175# for about $250. I plan on purchasing a Mercury four stroke 9.9, it weighs in at 112#. My concern is that that seems like a lot of weight to put on the transom in that fashion. I have a 20' Thompson Carrera (fiberglass). I plan on putting a 3/4" plywood backer plate on the inside, with the bracket on the outside, of course. Am I just being paranoid? I'm just thinking that while trailering, and during runs to the fishing hole that that would be a lot of stress on the transom, and the bracket itself.
I will be using an EZ steer from main motor to kicker. I have one from the previous boat. It had an Outboard, whereas my Thompson has an IO, but I have already ordered the appropriate bracket for the IO.
Also, could someone explain how to "T" the fuel line to go to the main motor, and the kicker?
Thanks.
I plan on buying the best kicker plate/bracket available. I had one of the cheaper models on a previous boat, and it worked fine. It was one of the ones Cabelas offers for about $100. I see that they also have one rated for 175# for about $250. I plan on purchasing a Mercury four stroke 9.9, it weighs in at 112#. My concern is that that seems like a lot of weight to put on the transom in that fashion. I have a 20' Thompson Carrera (fiberglass). I plan on putting a 3/4" plywood backer plate on the inside, with the bracket on the outside, of course. Am I just being paranoid? I'm just thinking that while trailering, and during runs to the fishing hole that that would be a lot of stress on the transom, and the bracket itself.
I will be using an EZ steer from main motor to kicker. I have one from the previous boat. It had an Outboard, whereas my Thompson has an IO, but I have already ordered the appropriate bracket for the IO.
Also, could someone explain how to "T" the fuel line to go to the main motor, and the kicker?
Thanks.