Kicker Motor and Trim/Tilt Bracket Selection

Cornfed · 11-13-2007, 12:47 PM

I am rerigging my battlewagon to redistribute the weight a little better. Currently, I have a 25 hp Merc. kicker on the port/aft side and just happen to have the batteries in that corner as well. Trust me, I did not rig it that way as I am not an idiot. It came that way. I have a Hydralift bracket that weighs about 90 lbs as well. I will be downsizing my kicker to either a 15hp or 9.9hp. Any suggestions fellas? FYI - My boat is a 25' Fiberglass w/ I/O. I was leaning towards the 15hp Merc. since it weighs the same as the 9.9 (just bored out). What kicker size would you choose and what brand/model? Also, what trim/tilt bracket works best? I would prefer that it be push button (from the cockpit) and as light as possible.

Thanks Dogs.

Onokai · 11-13-2007, 08:23 PM

Yamaha T-8 with power tilt. Mark

tomictime · 11-13-2007, 08:28 PM

ditto

Quote:

Originally Posted by Onokai

Yamaha T-8 with power tilt. Mark

Kid Coho · 11-13-2007, 08:33 PM

Ditto ditto, we have a 24' Seasport with a diesel, so we know heavy, and the Yami is perfect, we also use a connecting link to the outdrive for steerage, having the big fin helps with the turning.

Our is on a hydraulic lift, but I can't remember the name. You could Email my pops and he could go look at if if you wanted. He is Pelagic Captain on ifish.

And it's super economical, that T-9.9 barely sips the fuel.

Hoghunter · 11-14-2007, 03:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Onokai

Yamaha T-8 with power tilt. Mark

Ditto the T-8. I use one on my 30' Grady and do just fine. Get the one with power tilt etc. All I do to get it going is hit the button and turn the key.

Cornfed · 11-14-2007, 04:42 AM

How fast can you guys troll with the T-8? Why did you guys pick the T-8 over a similar motor by Merc or other brand? I have heard that the T-8 is "high thrust", but what does that really mean? I could put a different prop on my kicker and make it "high thrust". One more inquiry: What price range would be considered acceptable for the T-8?

When you guys say "power tilt", does that mean that you have to walk back to the kicker motor and hit the button? or that you do it from the captain's seat? It is hard to find a bracket that is worth a crap that weighs less then 80 or 90 lbs so I may just have to lift with it. I will be relocating my batteries to the fore/starboard side so that should help.

Thanks for the responses. I knew when I asked this that people would probably say the T-8. I have heard that people really like them, but haven't heard why.

KChookem · 11-14-2007, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cornfed

How fast can you guys troll with the T-8? Why did you guys pick the T-8 over a similar motor by Merc or other brand? I have heard that the T-8 is "high thrust", but what does that really mean?

I have a Yamaha T-8 Long Shaft that I occasionally use on a 19-ft Arima, which is pretty easy to push. It is a great trolling motor. My top speed will be 6-8 mph at WOT.

However, I would not want to have to use it to get myself back from a significant distance from port or dock when wind, swell, and/or wind waves are working against me.

My power trim and tilt button is are on the long tiller handle, as is the shift level and the throttle. I prefer to run the Kicker from the back, so remote features are not an issue for us. I chose Yamaha T-8 because of it's controls are all in one convenient location (handle), and its reputation.

Do not hold me accountable for accuracy, but the High Thrust is a matter of internal gearing, and a large diameter prop (perhaps the same concept as high torque vs low torgue). It takes little or no throttle to troll at a very good speed, and when you do goose the throttle, you move quickly. There is/was also the "F-8" which, I'm told, is similar to the "old standard" for trolling motors (other manufacturers now have a high thrust version).

I use a Garlick bracket which is manually used to raise or lower the motor if needed. I wonder if a Jack Plate would work to vertically raise and lower the motor for trolling? I do not have any knowledge of a remote starting or shifting setup for the T-8.

HiTekRdNek · 11-14-2007, 07:38 AM

I have a 15hp Honda on my boat (26'). It has power trim and tilt. It also has remote controls at the helm. This means it has the same controls as your main power. This includes a butoon on the throttle to control the tilt.
The kicker itself is mounted on a Gerlick mount on the tramsom. That is manuelly raised and lowered.

Cornfed · 11-14-2007, 10:13 AM

My bracket is a Garelick as well...must be doing something right.