My kicker is on the wrong side...

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My kicker is on the port side. This means you can't steer it with the tiller because it interfers with the side of the motor well when trying to turn to starboard.

I am thinking of having my swim step and kicker pad change locations. Which would likely involve glass work, removal of tanks, redrilling etc.

Anyone have a 8/9.9 on the starboard side and steer with the tiller?

Work good?

Anyone done the switcheroo?
 
yeah..
Got the rod. But I want to steer with the tiller as I am constantly working the downrigger to be just off the bottom. Therfore need to use the tiller when fishing alone...
 
Perspective wise, your kicker may actually not be on the wrong side. I suspect that whoever mounted it on the port side did so in an attempt to "balance the load" (ie: offset the weight of a lone helmsman who boated by him/her self). When I had my 16' C-Dory, my kicker was on the starboard side causing the vessel to always be at a "list". The 16" had a connector rod as Rick suggested above and steered from the helm. If you have auto pilot with a remote, you could still stand in the cockpit and steer from that position. Admittedly, it makes more sense "to me" to have a kicker on the starboard side with the swim step on the port side. With that configuration a person is not stepping over the cables and fuel lines to enter the vessel off the swim step.
 
yes, I am chuckling trying to picture my self fishing rod in one hand with fish on as I try to steer away from the kelp bed with the remote. The tiller is simple and lets me multi task... Plus the cost of autopilt and remote is $$$
 
A Fishin C":xhyc65si said:
yes, I am chuckling trying to picture my self fishing rod in one hand with fish on as I try to steer away from the kelp bed with the remote.
Click to expand...

I guess it is obvious I don't fish and perhaps have not considered all of the complexities involved. However, if I did fish, my solution to the problem would be to have a lovely young lady at the helm steering for prime fishing grounds...... :mrgreen:
 
The kicker is suppose to be on the Port side..not just weight balance if fishing alone...its easier to see whats going on with the kicker if its on the Port side...for cable ( steering cable ) routing and most of all...it just looks better on the Port side. lol. Tug
 
I fish alone all the time on my 22 CD and the kicker is mounted on the port side. I really prefer not to steer with the tiller but when I do, I just use an extension handle so that I don't have to reach over too far. Yes, when making hard turns the the port, the handle does hit the gunnel at times but not too often and with the extension, I just change the angle to be more upright so that it bypasses the gunnel.

I also have the Raymarine S1000 wireless autopilot installed and it's very handy for fishing alone. I just tie the kicker to the main, turn on the AP, point the direction I want to go and hit go. No tiller, no having to steer from the cabin. The system is not fool-proof however as it doesn't work at a very low speed (under 1.5 mph or so). Plus, I don't use the AP when fishing conditions are really crowded.

If it were me, I would not change the side the kicker is mounted for many reasons, mainly the one pointed out above about getting the boat out of balance, plus the cost. Just my $.02.
 
If i am trolling for salmon just using the kicker..( not making any sharp-tight turns )..i normally just lock my kicker so it does not turn and use the main motor ..( not running )..for turning the boat from the helm..Works good enough for making wide turns and if needed you can unlock the kicker and use the tiller if needed. That said ..i have used this method for boats 18 feet and smaller but i am not sure if it works for a 22 ft C-Dory..i have yet to try it on my 22 C-Dory Angler.Tug
 
I have the Honda 8 mounted on the starboard side and the swim step on the port side. I bought the boat used and it came with a TR1 autopilot attached to the kicker that is controlled by the GPS or a hand held remote. This is a really a slick way to drive the boat. The TR1 is expensive.
 
C-Dorius,
How do you find the issue of the weight distribution? Is it an issue when you running on plane or otherwise?

Stefan
 
I went the other way and moved my kick from stbd. to port. There is a better balance but its not a gigantic thing.

Assuming your kicker and platform are around 100# its roughly a 200# weight shift, side to side. In your case I would think if you find a #200 pound guy and have him lean over your starboard lazarette for a bit (though you'll be 200# heavier load) you should get a pretty decent feel for how your boats attitude might be effected at all speeds from what you have now.
 
Stefan
I think that the full water tank on the port side helps to keep the boat balanced. I usually have one or two friends on board and if I feel we are out of balance I will use the Bennett trim tabs. I also have a Permatrim on the Honda 90 that does a good job of keeping the bow down. Safe Passage.
Chuck
 
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