Kicker placement

[TH]

As we put together our new sled, lot of questions have come up ranging from rod hold selection and placement to electronic selection/placement to kicker placement.

The majority of kickers that I have seen on OB sleds are placed on the right side (Looking from back to front) of the main motor. However, the majority or kickers on sportjets, and larger inborards are on the left side (same view) as the pump.

Are there specific reasons for this?

I feel comfortable running the kicker with either hand and holding a rod w/ either hand?
The placement of the kicker will determin which side of the boat I place my electornics and plannel as well as the battery box etx.

Any thoughts?

TH
www.thcustomrods.com (http://www.thcustomrods.com)

[WaterDog]

I would think you'd want it opposite of the driver, left side as per your view, for better weight distribution. That's where mine is. Especially if your the only one in the boat. Assuming you have a windshield and steering wheel set up. May not matter much if you have a tiller.


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EAT, SLEEP, FISH!
website (http://www.sites.onlinemac.com/rspofford)

[TH]

22ft Willie Predator Open tiller (no windshield)

I really don't think it matters, but I only get one time to do this so I want to get it as close to right as possible.

TH

www.thcustomrods.com (http://www.thcustomrods.com)

[Salmonator]

mine is to the left also, but since most if not all kickers have the tiller to the left side (same view) you really have to reach out to make a sharp right turn, so I think i'd rather have mine mounted to the right side of the boat if done again.

[finclipped]

I think it makes the most sense to place it on the side of the boat that it is most comfortable to steer. If your right handed, place it on the right side as you will be able to face forward while steering with your right hand. Just the opposite for lefties.

[Jeffhead]

Mine is on the left side opposite the driver for the same reason Waterdog stated, had it that way on the last boat and it just seemed to be the right place to put it to me. No special reasoning went into it. Now that it is there and I'm used to it I have ran other boats that have had it on the other side and it just felt wierd. I don't think that it really matters, just what looks and feels right to you.
Good luck and tight lines, Jeff http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Fish mojo]

Does anyone know of a kicker with the tiller handle on the right side? I too like have the kicker on the port (left for you land lubbers!) side for balance to off set the drivers weight on the starboard side.

[Backlash2]

Mine is mounted on the left side(looking back to front) because my steering cables run across the right side, and to better balance the boat when I'm alone. I have often thought I would rather have it on the right side because of the handle on the kicker being on the left side of the motor(looking forward again). This puts the handle more toward the middle of the boat. Sitting in your seat toward the back corner of the boat, it's easier to turn the kicker in both directions when it's mounted on the right side than on the left. Hope that made sense....

[Ocean]

I have an inboard Jet and the kicker is on the driver side (starboard). Having it on the drivers side help to keep the weight distribution the same when the driver moves from the helm to the kicker, because they are both on the same side.

[Bait O' Eggs]

I have an outboard main motor and can put the kicker on either side on any trip. I settled on the starboard side so when I sit with my back to the side of the boat I can run the motor with my left hand while I hold the pole in my right. It is a function of which hand I fish with for me.

I wouldnt be to worried about the boat being balanced weight wise with the kicker with a 22 foot boat.

[fishbait]

I also prefer my kicker on the starboard side. Simular reasons to Bait of eggs, although I can and do hold the rod with both hands. Learned to use both hands in my early teen years http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif Its also very easy for me to start my big motor without reaching very far. The main reason is that I was and still am used to running the kicker with my left hand. Good luck with your decision.

[boater]

i have mine on the r-h side and have an inboard jet, i put a seat on the top of my engine cover and run the kicker with my r-hand. i have my depth finder mounted directly below my pole holder in the corner , i also have my batterys on the left side. i just think its easyer to have it this way, you sit more in the middle of the boat, have your fishing pole rite in front of you and look down and your depth finder, what am i doing here, i should be fishing

[HOGTIDE]

I keep my kicker on the starboard for a couple of reasons. 1)The Merc tiller handle is to the port, so if I mounted the motor on the port side of the transom, I would have to push the tiller out past the gunwhale for a right turn (kinda awkward & bad balance in rough water manuevering) 2)By mounting the motor to the starboard, it allows me to look to the port, enabling me to help instruct and rig up partners when trolling.

I believe Evinrude (did you know filed chpt. 11 and being repurchased?) has a newer centered tiller on their more recent models.Yamaha is moving toward a centered tiller, also.