Kicker Rigging

[wakina]

Ok, I could use some more thoughts/opinions on this topic. I've taken my boat to a couple of different places to get the 9.9 rigged. Both places wanted to use a Panther Electro Steer T5 for steering. I would prefer to have a simple tie rod connecting my main to the kicker so that I can steer with the wheel. They both seem to think this wont work on my boat. The boat has twin outboard 2 strokes for main motors. They have a hydraulic cyclinder for steering. I'm not sure why I cant use a tie rod for this setup. Anyone have any expertise on this matter? Also would like opinions on the Panther T5 system. My fear is that it won't respond quick enough to adjust in less than ideal lake conditions, or heavy boat traffic. If anyone has this system, I would love to hear your opinion.

Thanks,

Matt

I use the T4 unit and like it very well. I have never had a situation that I have felt the least bit out of control. Now with that being said there is a slower reaction time involved when steering but nothing that I feel the need to improve on, just take the time to learn its oddities. Learning to avoid places and situations that puts more demand on your equipment than can be reasonably expected out of it is just good practice. So far my T4 has been bullet proof. The T5 is more compact in design and made to fit into a more confined spot where there is not enough room for the longer T4.

I would ask them why they feel the T5 is better suited for you instead of the tie rod. But from what you have stated so far I think maybe the distance from the main out board to the kicker might be to close for the tie rod to work properly, I base that on the fact you have twins and they are mounted off center on each side of the center line leaving a much shorter distance for the steering rod to function. But that is only my opinion based upon a semi-educated guess.

[Jiga-Byte]

I use the T4 unit and like it very well. I have never had a situation that I have felt the least bit out of control. Now with that being said there is a slower reaction time involved when steering but nothing that I feel the need to improve on, just take the time to learn its oddities. Learning to avoid places and situations that puts more demand on your equipment than can be reasonably expected out of it is just good practice. So far my T4 has been bullet proof. The T5 is more compact in design and made to fit into a more confined spot where there is not enough room for the longer T4.

I would ask them why they feel the T5 is better suited for you instead of the tie rod. But from what you have stated so far I think maybe the distance from the main out board to the kicker might be to close for the tie rod to work properly, I base that on the fact you have twins and they are mounted off center on each side of the center line leaving a much shorter distance for the steering rod to function. But that is only my opinion based upon a semi-educated guess.

Wakina - Does your T4 have quick connects? I seen on another blog where someone said the T5 does have quick connects. If that is the case, then I could still add a tie rod also having quick connects to the main motors. This would give me the option to use eather system, depending on the situation. If I were in heavy boat traffic or rougher waters, theoretically I could switch to the tie rod and steer with the wheel.

Does this seem possible and practical to you?

Thanks in advance.

[wakina]

Wakina - Does your T4 have quick connects? I seen on another blog where someone said the T5 does have quick connects. If that is the case, then I could still add a tie rod also having quick connects to the main motors. This would give me the option to use eather system, depending on the situation. If I were in heavy boat traffic or rougher waters, theoretically I could switch to the tie rod and steer with the wheel.

Does this seem possible and practical to you?

Thanks in advance.

Yes it may be possible without very much problem! Here are the connecting ends that you will need to make the connections minus the connecting bar. That has to be cut and fitted at the job site. You will probably need 2 different connecting spots on your kicker if you use the T5 steering unit, the angle from the kicker to the main engine would be 2 great to use the same connection post for both cause the kicker will be mounted back from the main engine. You should be able to go from front to front on both engines to get your desired results. You may want to just try the tie bar first without the cost of the T5. That may be all that you would need.

http://www.iboats.com/Kicker-Motor-S...iew_id.163196\