T8 Installation Question

[bumps2]

I looked at a Lund 20' Alaskan WT last Sat that was rigged with a F90 and the dealer graciously uncrated a T8 tiller to see how it would fit. After much experimenting we determined the only way it would work was to install some kind of transom height extender to raise the kicker up about 5 inches. Even with that you had to make sure the main motor was straight when tilted up or the cowlings would touch. The Alaskan has a 20" transom that extends the entire width of the stern so that may have been part of the problem.

My question is for those of you with whatever brand of deep v tin boats who have T8 tiller kickers mounted on the port side. Did you or do you experience any interference problems (motor cowlings hitting each other, whether tilted or not) with the main motor and kicker and/or the kicker handle hitting the port side in a right turn? If you have had problems how did you correct them? Also would like the model and brand boat you have the kicker mounted on. I'm looking for a deep v tin boat with WT windshield but since I've fished tillers all my life and am right handed wanted to be able to operate a kicker hands on from the port side without any tie connectors or electric steering devices. I just like the feel of being able to control the throttle and steering with my left hand and holding a rod with my right.

Thanks for all responses

[Dealer]

Sounds like you were attempting to hang that T-8 tiller on the port side. A tiller needs to be on starboard for steering clearance on that boat. We have done some.

[Timber 2]

I have a 2002 Lund Alaskan 20 dual console with an F90 Yamaha and a tiller T8 mounted on the "starboard" side. I mainly fish walleyes, backtrolling with the T8, and front-trolling with a bow mounted 74lb Minnkota tiller trolling motor. You'll note I'm like you, needing to have my hand on the troller, whether it's on the front or the back. It all works great for me.

[bumps2]

Yes, we were trying to make it fit on the port side. And that's where I wanted it so I could operate with my left hand like I do my tiller powered jon boat. Another reason I wanted it on the port side was that I fish alot by myself so would help balance the load. I don't know, what I'm wanting may not be possible on any tin deep-v but if there are boats out there where it does work I would like to hear from the owners. Thanks for your response.

[bumps2]

TTT

[T-Mac]

Sorry...it won't fit on portside with a tiller. The tiller will hit the portside of the transom cutout on even the widest Pro-V. Unless you tilt up the handle for that longest reach part.
You can run it with your left ahnd on the stbd side, too. I do.

[bumps2]

Thanks for the response T-Mac. I'm guessing if it won't fit on the port side of the widest Lund it probably won't fit on any other tin boat. When operating your tiller with your left hand do you set in the starboard rear pedestal seat or do you move a seat to the rear casting deck? Or just set on the rear casting deck? I've operated tillers so long with my left hand I don't think I could learn to do it with my right hand. I'd be giving it throttle when I didn't want to and vice versa and probably be going in circles. Hard to teach an old dog new tricks ;)

Scott

p.s. think I remember reading that you have a 2025 pro v w/ 250 HPDI. Do you have to have the main and/or kicker tilted a certain way to keep the cowlings from touching each other or is there sufficient clearance between the two no matter which way they're tilted or turned?

[T-Mac]

Depends on what is all going on. I have a 2025 w/ wave wackers. When I am back there, I'm back trolling...otherwise I pop my steering tie-bar on and steer with the wheel.
It depends on what sort of presentation I am trying to make. I might be standing or moving around in the back and give it a steer once in a while... either hand.... or even a leg or a foot. I might sit in the rear passenger seat and flip the tiller to this side and that with my left hand now and then. Or, I may do it with my right. Or I might move that seat up to the rear deck and give it a steer now and then... Just depends on what I'm doing at the time.--- I may be casting, I may be working small spinners, or maybe floaters, or I may be vertical jigging...or rigging when I am back there.

The "constants" when I am back there are...the DRIFT SOCK is out the front...and I am working in reverse into the breeze.

You got to get past wanting to sit a certain way and fishing a certain way. What is important is doing whatever you need to do to keep the boat close to the fish....no matter what presentation is required.

That's my philosophy, and I'm stickin to it. ;)

[bumps2]

Thanks for the sage advice T-Mac. Even though I've fished all my life (and I'm 57 years young) I'm relatively new to walleye fishing. But I'm learnin'. Sometimes it's hard to see the forest for the trees. ;)

[cal]

I run a 1890 prov with 175hp johnson and T8 kicker on the portside for the same reasons you mentioned, when I first bought the motor I was unhappy as I too thought it wouldnt work, but I had already sold my honda 9.9.
What I did was find the hardest woood I could by (some exotic named stuff) in 2"x2" and installed it under my bracket between the transom and bracket this raised the motor just enough so I could turn the motor most of the way without hitting the side of the boat, i do still have to rise the handle just alittle for the last 1" or so on a really tight turn, but its not a big deal.
After running this motor for most of the season I find that it was wurth all the hassle to make it work.
I dont have to tilt my main motor!