kicker motor

**milt** · 10-21-2019, 05:06 AM

im setting up a new boat was wondering what guys do for kicker motors use helm controls or tiller controls
remote controls (troll master) connect it to main motor to steer I never had a kicker just looking for some info thx
jeff

**Stiksave** · 10-21-2019, 06:48 PM

Jeff,
I use a tie rod from my kicker to my main outboard. Steer the main engine to steer both. Works fine for me.

Chris

**Ltrain** · 10-23-2019, 08:37 AM

I think they're are alot of people like myself that set the kicker for straight propulsion only, generating about 70% of required propulsion. The remaining 30% is provided by a bow mount gps trolling motor. That way you never have to tie into your main motor to steer. The boat is steered by the trolling motor. You can lock it on a course and concentrate on fishing. Also use a remote kicker throttle control to really dial in on your speed in tenth of a mile increments. Really a beautiful system.

**branhamautomotive** · 10-23-2019, 10:30 PM

I dont have all the fancy stuff but would love a bow mount GPS unit.

Mine is old school 2 stroke, tiebar to main. Till to control speed.

I get my fish as well as anyone else when I get the time. If I need to I can adjust steering out back while fighting fish.

I can change speed by just moving around the boat. Move for and aft to change speeds a few tenths

**milt** · 10-26-2019, 04:07 AM

thx guys for the info picking up the new boat today gonna see what the dealer has
jeff

**captainjoe** · 10-26-2019, 08:33 AM

Hi Jeff. Sorry for the late reply but I have had them all. Tie rod, Troll Master with remote, and now I have the 225 verado tied to the 15 hp merc with a stationary rod. I have a module on the big engine so when I'm trolling with the small kicker the power steering works on the big engine to steer. They all have their advantages and disadvantages. With the set up now it runs the battery down pretty fast and I have to start up the big engine to charge the batteries. The Troll master with remote was good but the steering arm extended past the side of the boat and i always had to watch so it wouldn't catch the dock or something else. With the tie rod the problem was that sometimes it would get out of adjustment and depending on the set up you had to lean out over the boar to readjust. If your big engine steers easy when it's not running then I would probably go with the tie rod.