Kicker Motor

[skunkhunter]

I recently read an article about a guy that put a kicker on his boat and used the main motor for steering. I'd never heard of this before and was wondering how good it works. I've always wanted to put a kicker on my boat but balked at the price of seperate controls. Does anyone have any experience with this method of using a kicker motor?

[Bennington Bandit]

There are linkage kits you can buy to link the two motors together. We also set the kicker to speed and use the bow mount for steering. This works well with an auto pilot bow mount as long you 2mph or below in little or no current.

[skunkhunter]

Thanks bandit. That scenario sounds reasonable.I'll look into it. In the article I read, there was no linkage, just the kicker and the big motor. I can't imagine that would work, but I guess the only way to find out is try it.

['Eye Finder]

You will want a tiller motor for your kicker. Linking the two together makes it harder to quickly turn the kicker b/c you have to turn the steering wheel. It also reduces how tightly you can turn the kicker. Our boat has the two motors linked and I cuss it every year.

[Bennington Bandit]

You will want a tiller motor for your kicker. Linking the two together makes it harder to quickly turn the kicker b/c you have to turn the steering wheel. It also reduces how tightly you can turn the kicker. Our boat has the two motors linked and I cuss it every year.

I have heard that a few times in the past year, 'Eye Finder. Reddogs2 always says that when I buy the new boat; to get a tiller and he'll trade straight across. It's really got me thinking now.......

One way or the other you're steering the kicker, the tiller is probably the more accurate

['Eye Finder]

I have heard that a few times in the past year, 'Eye Finder. Reddogs2 always says that when I buy the new boat; to get a tiller and he'll trade straight across. It's really got me thinking now.......

One way or the other you're steering the kicker, the tiller is probably the more accurate

It's more accurate and a WHOLE lot quicker.

[Jon-Barta]

I am torn with the linkage set up. If your trying to back troll with the kicker, its a huge pain, cant turn as quickly. If your speedtrolling, its alot nicer to be able to sit in the drivers seat and have the whole back of the boat open to allow the others to watch rods. We have gotten to the point that we either use the trolling motor to troll until the wind doesnt allow it and then throw the socks and drift.