Kicker motor, how does one steer it and use the throttle?

[Ben87]

Lets say I will have a big single on a bracket and a kicker motor next to it, both Mercury, how will I steer the kicker? and how will I throttle it?  I have no clue, can you tell?

[JimCt]

Just use the main engine as the rudder.  It'll steer the boat quite well when on kicker power.  I never set up any remote throttle for my kicker on the 170; if I needed to change setting I just walked back and adjusted it to suit.

[Ben87]

How does the kicker "lock" into postion?  Is there some sort of setting?

[JimCt]

My 170 had a '70's 6 hp Evinrude kicker.  It had an adjustable drag-screw under the powerhead on the upper end of the shaft.   I simply tightened down on the screw until the motor head would stay in position under full load.  At this setting I could also steer the kicker with it's tiller if need be.

[Miguel]

I had a boat with a kicker before.  The main engine was a 200HP Mercury and the kicker was a 25HP.  We used a double shifter on the console, like you would do for twins.  The main engine can be rigged to the kicker by means of a tie rod (hinged at both ends with spherical bushings).  That way you can have any one of the two lifted out of the water and still steer the other one.  I believe there are kits for this in the market.

[RickK]

Maybe Fishhead will show up on this one - he has the same thing you're asking about.

[John Jones]

Like Miguel said.  There are kits to tie them together for steering.

If the kicker is remote control capable, you just install another control station.  Some tiller motors do not accept remote control.

[GoneFission]

You can get a tie rod from the kicker to the main to steer and it works well because both the main engine and the kicker act as rudders.  I am not a big fan of keeping the kicker straight ahead and using the main to steer - not as much control and you have to keep up with where the kicker is pointed so they are not working against each other.  

As Miguel said, you set up the throttle with a control that looks like one for twins (which is what you have!) - one side for the main engine and one for the kicker.  You can also control shifting if your kicker supports remote shift.

It's a pretty easy setup.  One decision is whether to just tilt the kicker up or use a lift bracket.  Another question is which side of the main engine to mount the kicker on - traditionally it's on the starboard side - but different strokes for different folks!

[Fishhead]

Miguels right on,I had EZ steer and it was a pain to reach over engines to hook up,switched to the front mount tie bar,cheap and safer it hook up in sea conditions.I installed twin binacles and ran cables,cleaner setup and you dont have to look for another place to mount the second set of controls,but pricier.I start kicker from remote key switch on dash.T-8 Yamahas are nice,have power tilt,you would only have to go to back to hook up tie bar.Fully remote engines only way to go IE electric start,charging system nice when trolling 6 hrs. a day,auto choke,cable controls and remote key switch.My kicker paid for itself on one trip,saved a 45 mile tow bill.A high thrust T-9.9 yamaha will push a 230 osprey at 6-7 MPH,no more though.

[Fishhead]

Heres the steering

[RickK]

Here in FL I would say "Now that is what I call a DOORMAT"
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/flatfish - patalear.
So you have a 9.9 hp kicker on your boat?  Is that what you use to troll with too?  Is the 9.9 enough to overcome a head wind or current/tide? I would have though you'd want to carry a 20 at least

[Fishhead]

I only troll with my kicker.Never use my main besides when trolling for tuna at 7 mph all day. High thrusts all you need,thats what they are designed for,your not going to push that boat above displacement speeds with more power anyway.Its surprising more guys I see trolling salmon and halibut dont use there kickers,Its lucky to use a couple gallons all day trolling.20 in shaft is perfect.

[JimCt]

The 6 would push my 170 about 3-4 knots trolling two wires with umbrella rigs.  Fuel consumption was negligible.  Could have gotten a tad more speed if I had a lower pitch prop.  The prop on the motor was what it came with so I think the motor was lugging some under the load.