Kicker mounted on swim platform questions

[FreeByrd]

I've been trying to decide how to redo my kicker motor mount on my 25' Carolina Classic with an IO maindrive (Bravo 3 outdrive) I've got a Yamaha 9.9 4 stroke kicker. Current setup is a Garelick manual Offshore Heavy Duty bracket mounted to the transom. The guy that had the boat before me cut away part of the swim platform for this installation. This looks kind of goofy. Also, the Garelick isn't heavy duty enough. I use the EZ-Steer connector rod from my main outdrive and leave it connected all the time and steer with my Raytheon 5500 Autopilot. Unhooking it while the boat is in the water isn't practical. This rules out using the Bracket Pro for support. (I've talked to Robert from Bracket Pro and got some good info from him a month ago.) The current Garelick bracket also doesn't get the prop out of the water when running the big motor. There is not enough setback to tilt the motor with the current bracket either.

I have been considering either the Pantherlift or the CMC lift model 35 tilt & trim. With either of these I'm going to need to purchase an additional setback plate in order to get the clearance I need. One of these will probably work mounted to the transom but the boat will still look goofy with 2/3 of a swim platform. I've heard nothing but good things about the Panther but have not seen one mounted on a flat/IO transom - only on "tournament" style boats. The CMC lift seems to be a quality product too but have not actually seen one. With either of these lifts, I'd add the Panter strap for additional stability.

The other main option is to replace the swim platform and use a mounting system that gets mounted on top of the swim platform. I've seen a few of these around but never paid enough attention to them to see a brand or specifics of how they work. Of course now that I'm interested, I haven't seen one in a marina anywhere. Anyone know any details on these? Also anyone know of sources for aftermarket swim platforms? Over $800 for a factory platform is more than I want to pay.

Sorry for the book - and thanks in advance.
Steve Carlson
steve199132@yahoo.com

[FreeByrd]

BUMP

[CarpetBagger]

How about one of those hydra mounts by Garelick...kinda pricy, but you get a stirdy lift that lifts almost 14".

West marine, Boat US, and Cabelas have it. If you were goin to invest 800 in a new platform with a mount, your still goin to have to go back there and UP and Down, move the motor. To me for a few hundred more (i think they are like $1200) it will work alot better and require you to do less work.

They look ##### nice to me and i can guarantee you im puttin one on my next boat.

CB

[FreeByrd]

CB,
I saw those in the catalog but already having gone through two Garelick mounts, I'm not too anxious to send them any more of my money. I don't think that will get the prop out of the water either. Prop stays in the water now and is spinning when running the big motor which can't be good for it. Will probably end up with either a CMC or Panther lift and keeping my goofy looking 2/3 swim platform.

Anyone else have any input??
Thanks

[Calif Bill]

I have the Yamaha T-8 High thrust with 25" shaft on my 21' boat with a Fixed mount on the transom. The boat is Aluminum, so they welded the transom bracket together and welded to the boat. (Jetcraft jet boat, heavy aluminum) You may be better off, and not much difference in $$$ with selling the 9.9 and getting the T-8 with the power tilt and having a fixed bracket contructed. Do not know if the Yamaha 9.9 high thrust has power tilt. Get the advantage of strong bracket and the ease of pushing a button to tilt the kicker out of the water.
Bill

[FreeByrd]

Bill,
Thanks for the suggestion. I'll give that a thought. I want to do this right this time. My current 9.9 does not have a power tilt trim. It is an older motor so I'm not sure how much resale value it has.
Thanks

[robert (bracketpro)]

freebryd--remember, the #1 cause of kicker motor swivle bracket failure is no support. the 2nd and a very close 2nd is dragging the leg thru the water either at hole shot or coming off a wave. so make sure what ever you do the leg must clear the water or its just a matter of time to oh boy!please remember you can always call us . take care and good luck---robert

[JustLookN]

On my last boat I put a block on the inside of my kicker where it clamps on to the mount, I gained an extra inch or so of height but the motor still dragged some in rough water, had the panther lift and it held for 2 years that way, if your thinking of switching kickers the yamaha power lift works great on the 8hp, dont know how big they go with that lift though, good luck..Bob

[bluelund]

Freebyrd,

I have a system similar to what you describe, only with a power lift/tilt and trim unit. It is called a Neptune power lift and I have a 15 horse Mercury four stroke hanging on it. I had a 20 horse Merc two stroke on it until last summer when I upgraded to the four stroke. It has been on the boat since I bought the boat in 95. It lifts the kicker out of the water and it has been trouble free for seven years. It is mounted directly to the transom and I use a pad to steer similar to an electric bow mount. I fish this rig exclusively on Lake of the Woods in Minnesota and the bracket takes a good pounding. Nothing like you guys see on Erie but we regularly fish in 4-5 footers. I bought the boat used, only 3 times, and the original owner had this mounted on the boat when I got it so I can't help you out with a price. The dealer also cut my swim platform but did a nice job and is not really noticeable unless you point it out. I can take a digital picture of it if you are interested, drop me an email at RRobertJMartin@cs.com if you want. I will dig through my paperwork this weekend and see if I can come up with an address or phone number for Neptune. I know they are or were located in Minneapolis. I really like the power tilt, just push a button and it raises the motor high enough so that the prop is out of the water.

Take care and good fishing,

Bob M

[FreeByrd]

Bob,
Sounds interesting. I'd definitely appreciate a picture and any other info you can find. I'll also try a web search.
Thanks
Steve Carlson
steve199132@yahoo.com