Kicker Steering - Honda90 and 9.9

[RustySocket]

I would like to set up my Honda 9.9 kicker to steer with the Honda 90. What is the best way to set this up? I have seen some universal kits on the internet to link the two motors together. What happens when you lift up either motor. Does this need to be disconnected?

I would also be interested in a remote throttle for the kicker. Has anyone ever converted a 9.9 to do this.

Thanks to anyone who can help

[Orca]

http://www.ezsteer.com/

Has a spring tension plunger to hold length, then self adjusts when you raise/lower either motor. Top of the line stuff.

[Roperguy]

RustySocket,
depends a lot on your boat, but here goes. I have an Arima Sea Ranger 19 and I have the EZ steer on mine linking my Honda 90 to 15 (same dimensions as the 9.9). I don't have any issues with the kicker steering but I also don't tilt my kicker. I have the hydraulic kicker lift and when I raise it, the motor clears the water, no problem. I also have the troll master wired remote throttle control and I love it. In fact, the only possible complaint I can think of is that my kicker motor won't go slow enough. low idle and i'm moving at 1.1 on the GPS. I should go buy a different prop.

I have seen lots of complaints about the EZ steer, but I think it works great. just personal preference I guess.

once you put the throttle control on you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner.

good luck

Maury :cheers:

[RustySocket]

Boat is a hewescraft Searunner. Have power lift on the BF90 but the kicker is full manual.

Will look up info on the ezsteer.

My dad has the TR-1 but that's a little out of my budget...nice system though. That's what I'd like but that will be something on my next boat.

I enjoy the boat as set up. Just looking at options to make it a little more convenient.

Thanks guys

[dixiefisher]

Rusty,
My setup is on an Arima as well....I have 90 hp tied to a Honda 8...I used the "front" mounted tie-bar for mine....so, that I could easily hook or unhook it from inside the boat.....I will give a second thumbs up to the Troll Master...for the throttle issue....I can sit in the cabin on a crappy day and control the boat no problem. I've attached a couple of pics....as far as the one showing the bar tied to the motors...I have since lessened the amount of bend I have in that bar...

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Steering1.JPG

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/steering3.JPG

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/trollmaster2.JPG

[Phish Phinder]

I use the front mounted tie bar as well (on a Yamaha 115 and T8). Works great and I really appreciate being able to disconnect quickly and use the tiller handle on the kicker when needed.

[Gundog]

I have had both types and I like the front mount much better. I have 2/3 of the rear mount you can have it is missing the mount for the kicker and the mount for the main motor fits a OMC I think. The rod is in good shape but even being free I would go with the front mount over the rear.
Mike

[RustySocket]

I have had both types and I like the front mount much better. I have 2/3 of the rear mount you can have it is missing the mount for the kicker and the mount for the main motor fits a OMC I think. The rod is in good shape but even being free I would go with the front mount over the rear.
Mike

Thanks everyone for the suggestion and for your generous offer Mike.

I have done a little more research and for now I am going to order the brackets for the front of both motors that honda makes. So will go that route for the short term

I am going to do a little more research on the remote throttle setup. I may end up getting a TR1 anyway.

edit:
After looking at the pictures of the trollmaster website. I started thinking, I have a schematic for a servo driver circuit. I could take one of my heavier duty RC servos and build a driver circuit and mount a pot on the panel of my boat. I'd still have to put it in gear manually but I may go forward with that idea. Really isn't all that difficult to setup. I'll have to think about it a little more.

[Gundog]

I have a TR-1 in my boat but if the wind is blowing hard or I am trolling in a crowd I put the TR-1 on standby and use the throttle adjust of the TR-1 and my steering link from main to kicker. I like to have positive control of my boat and it is not easy to steer from the tiller with the extended bracket.

The TR-1 will keep the heading right but that does not mean the people around you are maintaining a constant heading and when a big gust or wave comes it takes that thing too long to correct for my comfort. The TR-1 is a heading control unless you are trolling to a way point and just because the bow is pointing to the heading doesn't mean you are not sliding sideways or crabbing in the current or wind. If you are trolling to a way point it will make corrections for the crabbing but most of the time I have it set on a heading and don't have a particular way point selected. If the wind is not real bad or the water real rough it works great.

Don't get me wrong I love the TR-1 but some times I like to have complete control. In short I like to have both the rod and the TR-1 each has its use on my boat. I am also not an expert with the TR-1 so as I gain more experience with it I may change my habits.
Mike