Kicker Question

[td2pts]

I have had two different people tell me that my kicker was bouncing hard on the back of the boat while towing...one guy even jumped out of his truck at a stop light to run up and tell me. I cannot really see the kicker as I drive but assume that it must be bouncing pretty good. I have looked at it and it seems that the kicker bracket (Fulton) is what has the "play" in it. Any suggestions?

thanks,
TD

[dixiefisher]

I have the same kind of bracket on my Arima....and there is definite play in that thing, also I worry more about it "dropping" when I tow....so, I use two ratchet straps to secure it up when I am trailering....most adjutable bracket owners have suggested that you take the kicker off while towing as well....

[RGB]

Putting the kicker in reverse will keep the motor from kicking up. I don't know about the bracket, I've never had one.

[td2pts]

Putting it in reverse? While towing the boat on the trailer?...not sure I understand. As for strapping it down - it is almost impossible to do that with the bracket - it can be done with the motor TO the bracket but the bracket itself is difficult to keep from bouncing. It is tough for me to take the motor on and off because it is bolted to the kicker bracket (very secure so I guess that is goog).

Thanks - keep it coming.

TD

[dixiefisher]

I actually ratchet the motor/bracket to the boat with these straps....it's kinda wordy to write out....I'll go home and shoot some pictures and post tomorrow....but my setup locks the bracket up...and another strap keeps the motor from swiveling from side to side.....

[Snowwolfe]

I am sure you already realize this but you need a new, better built bracket. Sooner or later it will break. In not while trailering then while bouncing around in the water.

[td2pts]

I am sure I will eventually need a new one. I hope to get one before any damage to the motor is done because of the one I do have. What kind is rec.?

It is not too much of a problem in the water... I don't think. Then again, I would never have thought it much of a problem on the trailer either if weren't for the guy dodging traffic to come running up to my window to tell me (thanks, by the way).

thanks

[grumpy grouper]

if you have enough clearance you could trailer with bracket in down position they seem to bounce around less that way

[RGB]

Putting the shifter in reverse engages a lock to keep the motor from lifting when using reverse, without it the prop would just climb to the surface without creating any rearward thrust. Put the shifter in reverse and try to lift the motor.

[td2pts]

Got ya. I lock it down when in tow...like I said, more of bracket bouncing than the motor.

td

[RGB]

How about drilling a hole so it can be pinned in the raised position?

[ET]

I followed behind my boat once and got to see the kicker bounce over a bump. Shocking! If the guy was willing to chase you down over it, you can be sure you are about one big bump away from losing everything.

I installed a fixed bracket. Best thing I ever did for the kicker. I can't think of a reason I would ever go back to an adjustable. Choose a good fixed bracket and have it installed correctly...problem solved.

[dixiefisher]

td2pts,
Here are a couple of pics...on how I strap that bracket when I tow....

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/530.JPG

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/622.JPG

[td2pts]

Thanks, that is pretty much what I have come up with as well. I used to use nothing but a bungee cord on the motor. Then it dawned on me that it was actually doing more harm than good. Even thought the bungee would keep those minor bumps from causing too much bounce it would actually accelerate force of the bounce back down when a large bump was encountered.

I am now looking at new brackets and ways to attach the kicker. If I had to choose right now I think I would have a "box" welded on to the back for a permanent kicker bracket. I just hope I get around to it before it is too late and I am picking up parts of my Honda off the highway or trying to dredge it up off the bottom of the Columbia!

TD

[BigWaterBigFish]

Good pics Dixiefisher.
I use serious of rubber bungees, keeps it from moving and putting strain on the transom.
Another think I do, I run with the motor tilted up when on the water, over time, bouncing out in the ocean, the motor bracket that holds motor up sheared off ($45 part from Honda, cheap pop metal but as the dealer said, better the sacrfice of that than the housing itself) ... so now I lift it up, then slide a piece of wood in there, then release and lower (not that there is much movement as it's darn near perfect fit) down onto it ... no problems since.

[KChookem]

Would a Jack Plate work for you?

If you had a non-adjustable bracket mounted to the transom, could you tilt the kicker up enough to clear the water (and without the cowling hitting the transom)? When using the kicker for power, will it reach deep enough into the water for maximum efficiency?

A solid bracket on my boat would not always work for me. When planning with the big motor, I need to tilt the kicker's prop up out of the water, but if used for trolling, I often need to lower it vertically to reach the water below the hull.