What controls at helm do folks use for main and kicker?

P

pcg

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Aug 31, 2018
Messages
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C Dory Year
1999
C Dory Model
22 Cruiser
Hull Identification Number
DOR22866J999
I’m looking to hear how others have mounted their controls for controlling both main and kicker from the helm. I’m about to purchase a Mercury 115hp main and a Mercury 9.9hp kicker (remote steering and trim) and need to decide on controls. The main and kicker will be tied together with a steering rod, and I want side-mounted controls for everything else. I want mechanical controls for the kicker, not remote radio/servo controls. The Mercury side-mount mechanical control doesn’t seem suited for mounting two side by side. Should I mount them one behind the other? Is there a better solution? Thanks for sharing what you’ve done.
 
I have a cockpit helm, so that makes it a little different. I have hydraulic steering, and use seastar's cable tie system that goes between the kicker and main. Thus, I can steer either motor from either position. (Cabin or Helm). My main's throttle is at the cabin helm, while the kicker throttle is at the cockpit helm.
 
I also have Seastar hydraulic steering. What benefit does their $600+ cable tie system provide over a simple connecting rod?
 
I opted for a tiller control kicker, since I fish solo and sometimes want to steer from the cockpit. It uses a tie rod to the main and an Accutroll remote throttle control when steering from the helm. Full remote control seemed like overkill for my use case and size of the CD22.
 
pcg said:
I also have Seastar hydraulic steering. What benefit does their $600+ cable tie system provide over a simple connecting rod?
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When I had my 22, I had a connector rod. It could only be installed with both motors down. With the cable system, either motor can be in either position. If you decide to go with that system, be sure to follow the directions to grease the rod on the kicker side at the very least, annually. I had a cable go bad soon after buying the boat and replaced it. Two years later, I had to replace it again as it froze up because I didn't take it apart and grease it. A bit of a pain, but it's a nice system when it works!
 
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