Mounting the kicker help ?

Spoiled Daddy · 11-11-2003, 07:24 AM

I had to take the kicker off the boat (Hewescraft) for the first time since it went on in 2000. It has been mounted on top of a rubber transom pad the whole time. I was shocked to see the amount of corrosion under the pad. :shocked:

I will work today on cleaning it up. [img]graemlins/eek13.gif[/img]

So... When it goes back on, do I use the pad again? Is there something I can put on the aluminum to help protect it better or just mount it directly onto the boat without the pad? My boat is in saltwater about 80% of the time and gets soaped down each time it comes out, but there is no way to get fresh water under the pad each time unless the motor comes off.

Thanks for your help.

Nalu · 11-11-2003, 07:30 AM

Here's a thought....

How about putting a bead of marine silicone around the outside edge of the pad before you put it back on? Not the whole thing, just enough on edge, and just a bit in from the edge to keep saltwater from working its way under the pad?

You could still remove it, if need be, since only the edge was siliconed.

??????

Just a thought.

Mike

[ 11-11-2003, 08:32 AM: Message edited by: Nalu ]

Mark Mc · 11-11-2003, 10:03 AM

Nalu Mike is on the right track...the problem is trapping moisture under the pad, against the aluminum. Somehow you need to either allow moisture to escape, or completely fill in the void so there is no air space and no way for moisture to get in.

Not sure how you feel about a permanent modification, but one idea would be to have 1/4 or 3/8 inch aluminum plate welded over the spot, for both strength and some extra "sacrificial" material.

Wonder what Ed Wing would do?

edsr · 11-11-2003, 01:23 PM

I work mostly in wood but I have had a similar occurance with my kicker motor bracket. A coating such as a two part paint, i.e., urethane or epoxy, slathered on, a couple of coats is a good thing, do both surfaces before installation. As you know the idea is to break the electro-chemical action. Mounting bolts might be part of the problem and they also should be isolated, as much as possible. The rubber pad is also a good idea to keep abrasion from getting through the paint and then the whole electro thing starts all over again. Un-mounting the motor and washing the salt on a regular schedule would be helpful but a real pain in the butt. As mentioned already welding a plate is another option but that is permanent and in case of severe corrosion difficult to remove.
edsr

edsr

Birdnest · 11-11-2003, 11:03 PM

Spoiled Daddy,

Here is a pic of my set up...

Very simple and straight forward. I was able to install a bolt on steering system with no bending or other modifications. Each "tongue" bolts onto the front of each motor. Cost under $100 and works great.

If you have room to mount them side by side, I would.

Joe