Kicker motors

ScottyCee

Well-Known Member
I had a panther on my 226 and it was great. The other thing that was a complete game changer was the Garmin TR-1.
 

Jzeno186

Well-Known Member
Years ago, I had a Yamaha long shaft T8 Kicker for my 228 and it was a perfect engine for that in my opinion. You need thrust and the T8 delivers it. More HP is simply more weight back there. My T8 had electric start and electric trim which was nice. I had it mounted on the starboard stern to offset the battery weight (port side).

Yes, you are correct, you feed the kicker off the main tank but you must install a tee valve in the kicker line. This is to ensure the main engine does not pull fuel (and air) from the kicker fuel line. So, you just need to remember to open the tee valve before you run the kicker and close it after you turn it off. Easy.

As to steering, yes, you can steer the boat with the main engine used as a rudder. It works pretty good but not so much if it's really windy. I ended up using one of those bars you attach to your main engine and it worked pretty good. I'd recommend it for sure. See photo below).

Lastly, I used a heavy duty fixed mount for the kicker (not a Garelick or similar unit). I would recommend a fixed mount since it is stronger than anything that "moves". I hope this helps and good luck with your own set-up.

Did anyone find out what company makes this kicker mount ?
 

Seafarer_Bob

Well-Known Member
I purchased one used from another member (good meeting you Doug) but finally found the source. Jacobsen Marine in Seattle gets them custom fabricated and has them in stock for $600 new.

The transom configuration and internal access on Grady's makes installation (and removal) VERY challenging but I'm pretty sure I can make this one work. I'm planning to take some more measurements and tape the area this weekend so I'll post some updates along the way for others who follow.
 
Last edited:

Dr.B

New Member
I purchased one used from another member (good meeting you Doug) but finally found the source. Jacobsen Marine in Seattle gets them custom fabricated and has them in stock for $600 new.

The transom configuration and internal access on Grady's makes installation (and removal) VERY challenging but I'm pretty sure I can make this one work. I'm planning to take some more measurements and tape the area this weekend so I'll post some updates along the way for others who follow.
Please do, Bob. I am preparing to mount a kicker on my 208. Curious what hp you chose. Thanks for the info on the mount.
 

Dr.B

New Member
Love this high thrust bracket I added on my 228

Love this high thrust bracket I added on my 228


Thanks for the tip! I have one on the way.
 

Jzeno186

Well-Known Member
Years ago, I had a Yamaha long shaft T8 Kicker for my 228 and it was a perfect engine for that in my opinion. You need thrust and the T8 delivers it. More HP is simply more weight back there. My T8 had electric start and electric trim which was nice. I had it mounted on the starboard stern to offset the battery weight (port side).

Yes, you are correct, you feed the kicker off the main tank but you must install a tee valve in the kicker line. This is to ensure the main engine does not pull fuel (and air) from the kicker fuel line. So, you just need to remember to open the tee valve before you run the kicker and close it after you turn it off. Easy.

As to steering, yes, you can steer the boat with the main engine used as a rudder. It works pretty good but not so much if it's really windy. I ended up using one of those bars you attach to your main engine and it worked pretty good. I'd recommend it for sure. See photo below).

Lastly, I used a heavy duty fixed mount for the kicker (not a Garelick or similar unit). I would recommend a fixed mount since it is stronger than anything that "moves". I hope this helps and good luck with your own set-up.



Where can I find this bracket? Thanks
 

Seafarer_Bob

Well-Known Member
Where can I find this bracket? Thanks
It's custom fabricated for a Grady dealer in Seattle called Jacobsen Marine. $600 plus shipping but it's a work of art and solid as a rock. I dare say I could probably tie a line to it and lift the entire boat with it.
 

Jzeno186

Well-Known Member
Years ago, I had a Yamaha long shaft T8 Kicker for my 228 and it was a perfect engine for that in my opinion. You need thrust and the T8 delivers it. More HP is simply more weight back there. My T8 had electric start and electric trim which was nice. I had it mounted on the starboard stern to offset the battery weight (port side).

Yes, you are correct, you feed the kicker off the main tank but you must install a tee valve in the kicker line. This is to ensure the main engine does not pull fuel (and air) from the kicker fuel line. So, you just need to remember to open the tee valve before you run the kicker and close it after you turn it off. Easy.

As to steering, yes, you can steer the boat with the main engine used as a rudder. It works pretty good but not so much if it's really windy. I ended up using one of those bars you attach to your main engine and it worked pretty good. I'd recommend it for sure. See photo below).

Lastly, I used a heavy duty fixed mount for the kicker (not a Garelick or similar unit). I would recommend a fixed mount since it is stronger than anything that "moves". I hope this helps and good luck with your own set-up.

can you tell me the company and model name of this kicker mount? Its exactly what I am looking for !
 

luckydude

Well-Known Member
New Grady now has the same T9.9 + fixed bracket mounted on the swim step, but this time around went with the Seastar Kicker Cable Tie Bar (http://www.seastarsolutions.com/product ... tar_kicker). Assuming the Seafarer you are considering already has Seastar hydraulic steering, definitely would recommend at least taking a look at that option. Always connected, nothing to forget to attach/remove at the ramp, or getting in the way netting a fish - and still works flawlessly either steering manually or on the autopilot.

So that Seastar looks interesting. Some questions.

I mounted my kicker on the starboard side, will this work on that side?
Is there anything special required of the kicker (I have a 2020 suzuki)?
Does it make it harder to steer because you are moving two motors?

Thanks.
 

Jzeno186

Well-Known Member
I bought the bracket from Adventure Marine in Surrey British Columbia Canada.
Installed it with a backer plate inside of the transom.
I saw that this bracket may get n the way of trim tabs. do you have any experience
HMBJack recommended this fixed bracket to me several years ago and it's been perfect for me. I had the Garelick adjustable bracket prior to this and was scared to death it would fail every time I towed the boat to the ramp. I don't think the T-8's are available from Yamaha anymore but the T9.9 should be just as good if not better.
what is the name of this mount? exactly what i am looking for
 

trapper

GreatGrady Captain
I have the Adventure Marine kicker bracket on my 208. Only way to go "fixed". Had to cut a hole in transom side of bracket to get around the trim tab actuator, no problem. You can connect your gas feed directly to the remaining outlet on your Racor fuel filter. If you do it yourself just make sure the T9 is mounted high enough to clear the water when up for running. https://adventuremarine.ca/product/high-thrust-outboard-motor-bracket/
 

Tuidawgs11

Member
I also installed the Adventure Marine bracket, Just notched the bracket to fit around tab actuator.
 

Attachments

  • 855CE2BB-1B59-4BB4-B160-830B3BA0A347.jpeg
    855CE2BB-1B59-4BB4-B160-830B3BA0A347.jpeg
    1.5 MB · Views: 49
  • 81584AAE-5BEF-43A4-8AEB-72833B65AB32.jpeg
    81584AAE-5BEF-43A4-8AEB-72833B65AB32.jpeg
    2 MB · Views: 49

Jzeno186

Well-Known Member
I also installed the Adventure Marine bracket, Just notched the bracket to fit around tab actuator.
What part of the bracket had to be notched? I was assuming it would just mount about the trim tab. Orderd my bracket today any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks
 

Jzeno186

Well-Known Member
I have the Adventure Marine kicker bracket on my 208. Only way to go "fixed". Had to cut a hole in transom side of bracket to get around the trim tab actuator, no problem. You can connect your gas feed directly to the remaining outlet on your Racor fuel filter. If you do it yourself just make sure the T9 is mounted high enough to clear the water when up for running. https://adventuremarine.ca/product/high-thrust-outboard-motor-bracket/
Do you have any pictures of the hole you had to cut? I’m just trying to figure out how to install this thing properly. Thanks !
 

Jzeno186

Well-Known Member
I have a 208 and installed a Yamaha 9.9 high thrust 25" shaft with electric tilt and trim
Mounted on a solid bracket
I put a tee valve in the fuel line
We use the main engine to steer the boat from the helm
Everything works great
Did you need to cut the bracket at all to fit around the trim tab actuator or is it mounted just above it ? I have same boat and am doing the same set up. Saw few posts where people’ said they needed to cut the bracket? Thanks -Jared
 

Jzeno186

Well-Known Member
Can anyone tell me the make and model of the mounting bracket in the post above?
I'll try calling that Grady dealer HMBJack posted but I made a major screwup, I ordered a new T9.9 with 20" shaft and the Adventure Marine 4100 and it won't work. The trim tab piston won't allow the motor to be mounted low enough and even if I could exchange the motor for a 25" shaft (which I don't think is possible) I'm not sure it'll get the prop deep enough.

Here's a pic that helps explain the issue. Is a 25" shaft mandatory or will a different (must be fixed) bracket solve the issue?View attachment 12432
What did you end up doing ?
 

Tuidawgs11

Member
What part of the bracket had to be notched? I was assuming it would just mount about the trim tab. Orderd my bracket today any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks
I had to notch the lower part, not a big deal. I ordered the backing plate but couldn’t use it because of the beam that runs horizontally so I did two threw bolts with backing and then 2 leg bolts into the beam. Use some 3m 4200 to seal everything. The height will be determined by the length of shaft on your kicker. Hopefully this helps!
 

Jzeno186

Well-Known Member
I had to notch the lower part, not a big deal. I ordered the backing plate but couldn’t use it because of the beam that runs horizontally so I did two threw bolts with backing and then 2 leg bolts into the beam. Use some 3m 4200 to seal everything. The height will be determined by the length of shaft on your kicker. Hopefully this helps!
So you ha
I had to notch the lower part, not a big deal. I ordered the backing plate but couldn’t use it because of the beam that runs horizontally so I did two threw bolts with backing and then 2 leg bolts into the beam. Use some 3m 4200 to seal everything. The height will be determined by the length of shaft on your kicker. Hopefully this helps!
wnat was the reason you had to notch it as opposed to putting it just above the trim tab actuator ?
 
Top