Kicker motor mounting and advice needed

[Todd Duncan Tennyson]

Folks,

I have a 17 foot duckwater boat and it has "performance Pontoons" that extend appx 16 inches further behind the transom.

This poses a problem in mounting a kicker motor for 3 reasons: 1 is that I will need to have an extended handle which I should be able to figure out with some pvc and some hose clamps.

The 2nd complication is that the performance pod will require that I use an adjustable motor mount as to the height at which the motor is suspended. Otherwise, I will risk soaking the kicker if I get a wave over the back end (which we do at times, but they just wash out the motor well, and the main motor is high and dry.)

The 3rd complication is that the location for me to mount the kicker is not squared off like a transom, it angles (kind of overhangs so that the deck of the pontoon extends further aft than the portion which is the continuation of the main hull) So My mount will need to be adjustable to compensate for the mounting surface not being straight vertical.


The boat is aluminum, and I was considering having the local welder just mount up a vertical box style attachment that I could bolt the kicker mount onto unless you folks have a better solution.


Thought that since I'll be hunting solo a fair amount, and in big water and on a boat that is damned nearly impossible for me to use a canoe paddle as a backup, I'd better step up and get an auxiliary power source.
My options are an evinrude light twin (short shaft) about 4 hp, or a 7.5 merc with a regular shaft.

I am leaning twds the merc, since that boat is so prone to betting blown around in the winds, the extra power might be a good thing.

Am I on the right path, or is there a better way for me to get this done?

Thanks again for your advice.

 

[tgentry]

With all his bundled up energy, Todd, give the red dog a tow rope and shore! Trip:>)

 

[Bill Clark]

Todd,
Why not mount the kicker parallel to the main motor either to port or starboard ,it would widen the boat profile but eliminate the use of an extension handle and put the motor at the correct height. Seems like all you need is to fabricate a new bracket. The boat being aluminum gives you more options. Is that what you meant a "vertical box style attachment ?" Anyway that's my two cents,good luck.
Bill.

 

[Huntindave McCann]

Todd,

Pictures would help but I like the mounting box you are thinking of adding. I'd go with mounting the motor the same height as your main motor and buying the length shaft needed to do this. That way the aux. motor is up out of the water yet no higher for camoflaging(sp) and shooting. I'd get an electric control for the steering, no need for an extention and you will have full steering control.

 

[Rick Kyte]

Todd,
Is it the Ocean series?
Does it have a console?
Rick

 

[Todd Duncan Tennyson]

Rick, It is the precursor to the newer Bay/ocean series. It has enough room on the transom for the main power plant and nothing else (due to the pods.)
I'd mount a kicker on the starboard, but the battery, and the people sit on that side, so I may just get a kicker hanger that is adjustable for height and fiddle around with it.

I reckon I'll need to weld on an apparatus of some kind for mounting the kicker, because I am not about to punch bolts into a sealed pod.

I will go with the 7.5 merc and a long tiller handle.

I will need to figure out how to keep it hung on the mount, since 1 of the clamps is busted off, but the hanger is still sound (so I might just tie it to the plate.

 

[Rick Kyte]

Could you have a mount made with an extended plate that slides into a bracket that is welded to the pod? Then you could bolt the motor onto the plate. If you want to remove the kicker you could slide the plate out of the bracket, leave it bolted to the motor, and not have anything protruding from the pod.

Rick

 

[Todd Duncan Tennyson]

View attachment stern.jpg

 

[Todd Duncan Tennyson]

View attachment stern2.jpg

 

[Ed L.]

Todd,

Not sure if I'm seeing it but Garlick makes a slide bracket.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=259762&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=11151&storeNum=null&subdeptNum=null&classNum=0

For an adjustable kicker motor bracket so you can take the aux motor bracket off the boat.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=18688&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=11151&storeNum=10106&subdeptNum=10447&classNum=10448

I may be off base but it may give you an idea.

 

[Todd Duncan Tennyson]

I am going to run down to west marine today and see if they can sell me a kicker mount. Then I will drag the boat down to diversified welding and see if they can make me a bracket and weld up a plate apparatus.

This should be an interesting looking boat when all is done.

I can not very well just have 1 motor out where I go.

 

[Todd Duncan Tennyson]

Thanks for the links. I like the idea of the bracket for it all, that way I can take the motor off when I need to in a pinch.

I thik this will work out. I'll keep you posted.

Oh boy, this is going to be great!

 

[Ray]

Todd, get the biggest bracket that is aluminum and have it welded on. My old Garlick is bolted to my BBIII, but it would weld on just fine to your pods.