Kicker Rigging

[Jiga-Byte]

The boat has a SeaStar hydraulic cyclinder. It does not have any type of electric pump, and the engines do not have to be running. The reason they don't think the connecting rod will work, is because of the offset of the kicker motor. The transom area of my boat is a little unique. It has two swim platforms on each side of the engines. The engines are kinda tucked up in the middle of the two swim platforms. So the kicker will be mounted on the starbird and offset quite a bit. I'm thinking of having someone custom bend me a stainless steel tie rod and have heim joints threaded on the ends for lateral movement to raise and lower the drive.

That is unless you guys convince me that the Panther Electro Steer is the way to go. I don't mind spending the extra money, as long as it is a good and effective system. I just don't want to end up with something that I don't like. I am attaching a couple of pictures of the back of my boat, so you can see what Im up against.

[Gradyfish]

The boat has a SeaStar hydraulic cyclinder. It does not have any type of electric pump, and the engines do not have to be running. The reason they don't think the connecting rod will work, is because of the offset of the kicker motor. The transom area of my boat is a little unique. It has two swim platforms on each side of the engines. The engines are kinda tucked up in the middle of the two swim platforms. So the kicker will be mounted on the starbird and offset quite a bit. I'm thinking of having someone custom bend me a stainless steel tie rod and have heim joints threaded on the ends for lateral movement to raise and lower the drive.

That is unless you guys convince me that the Panther Electro Steer is the way to go. I don't mind spending the extra money, as long as it is a good and effective system. I just don't want to end up with something that I don't like. I am attaching a couple of pictures of the back of my boat, so you can see what Im up against.

Check out this link, it is cable kicker steering system made by Seastar. It is designed to be used with their Hyd steering systems.
http://www.seastarsolutions.com/wp-c...ble-single.pdf

Good luck,
G/fish

[Jiga-Byte]

Check out this link, it is cable kicker steering system made by Seastar. It is designed to be used with their Hyd steering systems.
http://www.seastarsolutions.com/wp-c...ble-single.pdf

Good luck,
G/fish

Gradyfish - I aw this when searching the internet for solutions. The only question I have, is if it will work with twins? It looks like it's meant to run through the existing linkage of the main motor.

Do you have this system? Love to hear more about it.

Matt

[Gradyfish]

Gradyfish - I aw this when searching the internet for solutions. The only question I have, is if it will work with twins? It looks like it's meant to run through the existing linkage of the main motor.

Do you have this system? Love to hear more about it.

Matt

Matt,
I am currently running the Panther tie bar on my boat but, I have been researching different options. When I came across the Seastar system on the web it looked like it would not work with my configuration, so I contacted them. They replied to me very quickly and gave me the information needed to work with my boat. It appears they have more options available than the website shows. It's probably worth contacting them.

G/fish

[wakina]

The boat has a SeaStar hydraulic cyclinder. It does not have any type of electric pump, and the engines do not have to be running. The reason they don't think the connecting rod will work, is because of the offset of the kicker motor. The transom area of my boat is a little unique. It has two swim platforms on each side of the engines. The engines are kinda tucked up in the middle of the two swim platforms. So the kicker will be mounted on the starbird and offset quite a bit. I'm thinking of having someone custom bend me a stainless steel tie rod and have heim joints threaded on the ends for lateral movement to raise and lower the drive.

That is unless you guys convince me that the Panther Electro Steer is the way to go. I don't mind spending the extra money, as long as it is a good and effective system. I just don't want to end up with something that I don't like. I am attaching a couple of pictures of the back of my boat, so you can see what Im up against.

Panther Marine used to make an extended mount for on the main motor for situations similar to yours. Question is do they still make them and 2nd question would it be long enough if if they do. The part I am referring to would be the connector that goes on the main Outboard the connecting rod attaches to. The connection points used to be made from readily available fittings.

Check out the #12 post in this thread. It may be what you are looking for.

http://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-...-kicker.html#b

[branhamautomotive]

That makes sense, I was just going by what he said he had. He said he had hydraulics. Though I have not ever seen a outboard have a power steering pump I am sure there is some out there.

[WI Walleye]

Personally I would just upgrade your main power to four strokes and be done with it. Your going to spend 5k on adding a kicker and if you look online you get get a set of very nice used motors for 10-12k. Then you can sell your existing motors and get some cost back too.

[Jiga-Byte]

Personally I would just upgrade your main power to four strokes and be done with it. Your going to spend 5k on adding a kicker and if you look online you get get a set of very nice used motors for 10-12k. Then you can sell your existing motors and get some cost back too.

WI Walleye - that is something that in hind sight may have been a better route. Unfortunately, I've already purchased a kicker. I will say that I got an outstanding deal on it though. Its a 2006 Merc Pro Kicker series that was hardly ever used. The thing is clean as a whistle and basically brand new. It power tilt/trim, electric start, came with the remote and all the wiring. I only give $1500 for it.

[millerstym]

I'm not an expert on this steering setup but I don't believe the screw type steering box would hold up to the constant correction to stay on a course that the side mount of the kicker would require. I have had very good success with the hydraulic system from Goetz Engineering. It will also let you get away from the helm. Check it out Goetz Hydraulic Steering