Panther Model 35 Motor Lift

[Brian/MN]

Adding a Panther 35 lift and Electro-Steer for my 9.9 4 stroke. Is it possible to bolt the kicker onto the lift, or does it just use the clamps? Also, what extra steps are you guys taking to protect the motor mounts while using the Panther? Is it still necessary to use some sort of tie down? Do you have to use it routinely, or just when pounding big waves?

[Grampa_Joe]

I drilled 2 holes in my kicker lift where the two mounting holes are on your kicker's bracket and used carriage bolts to bolt it to the bracket. I use my clamps for the top. The lift comes with a strap to take up any play that might be in your kicker and it's something you just put on when you mount it and forget about it. I never had an issue last year with mine, and I run a lot in big waves.
-Joe

[walleyedm]

Did you purchase the panther yet? If not walk no run bak to your dealer and get your money back , if you are a serious fisherman you will be disapointed they are junk I went through 3 of them last year they again changed there design , the gears and bearings go out. Buy the OMC it's hydraulic.

[ByronL]

Have you guys ever looked at CMC (cook manufacturing co.) There a market leader in transom jacks and after market tilt and trim. Check out there web site@www.cook-mfg.com. #1-800-654-3697 There PT-35 has more power, is totally sealed and priced less then others on the market.
Good luck.

[Bill Leonard]

Brian
I have had 2 panther 35's and can not say enough good about them. Many of the pros I know also run them and I have yet to hear any complaints.
Mine have never failed to preform perfectly. If you have more questions feel to e-mail me.
They are a great buy for the money.

[TerryMac]

Have had really good luck with the Panthers.. Have installed these, CMC,and MinnKota, and like these the best. We do bolt the motors onto the Panther.
I'd recommend a tiedown or bungy when really rough,
just to be safe, however..we have had no problems with the kickers bouncing much. It makes a very solid hook-up. We have installed a few electro-steer and like them so far. They are nice and quick for that type of steering device.

[Lucky Jim]

WOW, this is the first negative post on the Panther 35 that I have seen and I was just about to order mine for spring. Now I'm undecided. One unit failure would not sway me but you went through 3! Could you perhaps give us some more detail on the design change you mentioned and what exactly happened. What did the manufacturer have to say? Thanks.

[walleyedm]

The panther uses a worm gear with a bearing sleeve , when runing because of the hard bouncing it eventually breaks the slevve holding the bearing apart and the motor runs but does not go anywhere(if you are lucky and you are not runing when you notice the problem). Also the motor runs a worm gear which runs the plate up and down. The cmc is fully hydraulic no worm gear and it will last, the same design as the lift on your big motor.What would you rather have a electric motor or a hydro pump? I hope that your panther does not give out while you are running hard 4 footers and the motor hits the water because it will be gone I found that out the hard way. I do not know what the changes are but I can tell you the CMC is a little les in coast I paid 380.00 out of Cabelas.

[Grampa_Joe]

3 units? Like I said, I run a whole lot of big waves (20' boat all the way out of the water) and never had a problem all year. I'm not accusing here, but could it be the operator? 3 units just sounds outrageous to me. I never met anyone who could break stuff more than me!
-Joe

[Gunga Din]

>Buy the OMC it's hydraulic.

My OMC lift leaks fluid out the top where the piston/rod thing goes up and down to raise the motor. And it sinks over time. Can't bear to be without my boat long enough to have the thing fixed!

[TerryMac]

Thanks. I will check that out.

[Mike_Jensen]

I ran a Panther 35 kicker tilt last year, the only problem I had with it was the bushings on the main pivot pin wore out. They have since come out with new plastic looking bushings and I have not had to replace thr bushings since. I know a lot of people that ran them last year and the only actuator failure I heard of was on their jackplate not the kicker tilt.
I know a few years ago they had some failures on the actuators but I think they have any "bugs" worked out of them.
I would highly recommend this product.
Mike

[Brian_MN]

Thanks for all the responses. I'm going to go ahead and put on my boat next week, along with the Electro-Steer system. I'll let you know how it turns out.

[J.R.]

Who makes Electro-Steer and what does it do?

Thanks

[Bill Leonard]

J.R. Electro steer is also made by Panther and it is a steering system that hooks up to your kicker that you can run remote from anywhere in your boat. If you would like more info. e-mail me.

[Eric Olson]

Brian, Glad to hear your considering thePanther 35.
I am the Panther Product Manager, I am sorry i haven't been able to respond to Walleyedm's comments on the Panther products. I would like to have Walleyedm call me and I will personally take care of any problems that he may have encountered.
I, not wanting to be skeptical, have not had a 35 failure from beating on even the largest of waves.
The actuator on the 35 has been next to flawless, ask any PWT MWC MWT or other individual tournament fishing or guiding, dealer or Manufacturer. We are optional equipment on Ranger, Triton, Tuffy, soon to be with Crestliner and hopefully Lund. I personally have run one for 2 years and fish the MWC circuit. I also go to many of the PWT tourneys to provide assistants if necessary but I feel kind of like the Maytag repair main, not much to do. I won't try to sell on on the virtues of our product vs others. Thats taken better from the guys that aren't biased, the guys that are buying the units and won't run a boat without them. so I hope Walleyedm gives me a call, I am sorry if you had difficulties so let's get them resolved so you can enjoy the 35 as much as amny others do!
THanks
Sharp hooks, Tight lines