Kicker motor control

[Mountain Man]

Looking for advice about what kind of set I should consider. I've heard there is a bar set up that connect the kicker to the main motor so you steer the kicker with the main motor or just go with a long handle extention and hang out at the back of the boat. Any experience with either?

Thanks

[eye-tracker]

Looking for advice about what kind of set I should consider. I've heard there is a bar set up that connect the kicker to the main motor so you steer the kicker with the main motor or just go with a long handle extention and hang out at the back of the boat. Any experience with either?

Thanks

Hello Mountain Man,

I have run both setups, if you do mostly open water forward trolling and very little contour or back trolling than a linked steering with remote throttle from you console is your best option. If you do lots of contour trolling and back-trolling then the tiller handle will give you more control and turning radius. With a tiller kicker setup you want the kicker installed on the Starboard side of the transom so you have the best turning radius with the handle not making contact with the gunnel of the boat. With a steer bar linkage the motor should be installed on the port side so you can link to the steering arm on the large motor. The last recommendation as a safety measure, would be bolting the kicker to the transom if you run often in rough waters.

Here is my present set-up.


Enjoy your kicker...

-Sheldon Hatch