Question: Removing swim step to mount kicker

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kayakbriang

New member
My new 22 Cruiser has dual swim steps installed. Looking for ideas on the best way to remove one of the steps and install the kicker either on a bracket or transom mount. I currently have a Honda BF8 to hang but willing to get a smaller kicker if I can utilize the swim platform as a bracket mount.

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Perfect. Thank you for the post link. I didn't find that one when searching.

How well were the screws/bolts mounted? I am thinking about fabricating a bracket that utilizes the existing mounting holes if they are strong enough.
 
There is another option..That is to put a "L" bracket on the swim step. I did this with my Caracal. There are 4 nuts to remove, and the bracket moves right off. My swim step is slightly different, but the idea is the same. With the C Dory cored steps, there would have to be epoxy potting of the holes, for the bolts, and fender washers under, but the same idea will work.
 
Mary and Casey of "DESSERT 1ST" did a very nice job of mounting a kicker on their OEM platform. I would suggest that you PM them for a close-up photo of their installation.
 
and I might be interested in relieving you of the swim step, I am thinking about installing one on my 23ft venture...
 
The step should be thru bolted to the transom w/ fender washers. Two on top and two on the bottom. They came out easily. The step itself was glued onto the gelcoat and THAT was the hard part to remove.
 
I am looking for a swim step that mounts as yours does so it will clear my trim tabs. Any idea of the manufacturer's name on yours? If anyone has seen similar designs, let me know where to look.
 
We have two swim steps.

The Garelick bracket is mounted on the starboard step, and that ladder was removed. With the Garelick and kicker mounted this way we must use the port swim step.

Best,
Casey&Mary
 
Thanks,if we ever attempt ICW,which I think we will plan a trip . Maybee to Florida want to have a kicker. Im impressed by your trip,have been telling people when they talk with us about boat. Boat being at lake ,wasn't thinking about other side platform will check that out next time there. Guess separate fuel tank? Also steer from motor handle? Newbie questions thanks.
 
I guess a question would be is "Can the swim platform handle the stress of a motor on it for long periods of time?"

Yes the step can handle heavier weights (e.g. adult male), but the stress of that sort of use is for brief periods. A 8HP 4-stroke weights about 100# (Honda). Having this weight on the end of the platform while bouncing down the road for many miles might be more than the swim platform (or its mounting) is designed to handle.

I don't know if this is an issue or not. It is just something that I would be interested to know if I was planning on installing a kicker motor on my swim step.
 
Our kicker is a 6hp Tohatsu 4-stroke (wgt 55#). It is adequate in the event we ever need it. After thousands of miles of boating and tens-of-thousands of miles trailering, the swim step shows no sign of stress.

Two items I'd probably change if we were to do it again:

1) Buy a small OB with a built-in fuel tank. Our kicker relies on the main tanks for fuel, and yes, contaminated fuel is a potential weak spot in our arrangement. Happily, we haven't run into bad fuel ... but you never know. Having even a small built-in tank with stabilized non-enthanol fuel would be comforting.

2) Buy a regular length shaft. Our kicker is a long shaft, and works fine, but in the tilted-up position it only clears the water by mere inches. I think a regular length shaft would have been slightly better.

I like the Tohatsu. It seems like a good motor, light weight, and available at a good price. One strange feature though.... It does not have an OFF button. When running the OB, to shut it off you've got to pull the clip on the emergency kill switch(lanyard), then reinsert the clip to restart. Seems like a silly (cheap) arrangement to me.

Best,
Casey&Mary
...currently in Yarmouth, ME but headed to FL (eventually)
 
If you push/squeeze the off button with clip in place, will that kill the engine? Works that way on my small OB, but took me a few years to figure out. Perhaps to harsh is different?
 
I'd do the same with both of Casey's suggestions.

I changed from the big "deluxe" heavy Honda kicker that came with my boat to a much lighter Merc, and it has an integral gas tank (plus you can also attach a hose to run off a remote tank). It's nice to have that separate "stash" of tested fuel that didn't just come from the most recent fill, just in case. I set it up so the auxilliary hose goes to another nipple on the main fuel filter, so then it does tap into the main system (but it can go a long way on the internal tank, and/or one could carry a portable tank if preferred).

Another feature I like is that there is a lever you can move that will allow draining the carb without draining the integral tank.

It is a long shaft, and for my boat, I think I would prefer it to be a short shaft.

(I do have mine mounted on a Mini-Jacker, not on a swim platform though, FWIW.)
 
I haven't tried merely pushing the kill button in ... duh.
I don't think that'll kill the engine but it's worth a try next
time the boat is in the water.

Best,
Casey&Mary
Currently near Plymouth, MA after a fun day of trailering
through metropolitan Boston during rush hour traffic. (Remind
me not to do that again....)
 
Good things to know Casey ,What horse power would you pick for smaller self contained motor? Maybee I could use for dingy and if need to use to push C-Dory for repair,guess with well maintained main outboard your backup outboard hopefully never gets used. Down the road want to get dingy and motor.
 
My 3.5 Tohatsu will push Widget around, weighs 40lb and runs the inflatable dinghy. It is a little dicey moving it from Widget's transom to the dinghy in open water.
 
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