Kicker Steering Options - Looking for Opinions/Advice

[Saxe Point]

I got a bigger boat (22.5 foot Proline) and I got a new kicker for it as the ancient Yamaha on it is pretty much done. It was a tiller, but it was apparently sometimes connected to the main motor with an EZ-Steer bar. My new kicker is not a tiller (it’s a Suzuki 9.9 electric start power tilt). Most important, is the fact that the kicker is mounted on a bracket and therefore set back a distance from the main motor. So unlike with my previous smaller boat where the main water and the kicker were both mounted on the transom, a rigid tie bar between the two motors is just not a possibility. I’ve also heard that the EZ-Steer bars are not great, so I’m not looking at going in that direction at all.

I’ve read good things on this forum about the liquid tie bar system and got some great advice from Profisher, who has been using this system for years. The system basically involves a hydraulic unit on the kicker, which is connected and disconnected from the same hydraulic system on the main motor. It allows them to be steered together and gives you the ability to disconnect the kicker, just by turning a switch/valve, when you don’t need to use it.The other option that I discussed at the place I bought the kicker is to have an independent hydraulic steering system with a rear helm for the kicker only. In other words, it would not steer the main motor. The costs are basically the same for the two systems.

I am leaning strongly in the direction of getting the liquid tie bar system. It allows me to steer the boat from the front, which I think is preferable, and it allows both the main motor and the kicker to steer the boat. The “independent“ system for the kicker means I steer the boat from a helm at the back or near the middle, and it means I do not have the advantage of being able to use the main motor as a rudder.

I’m just wondering what guys think about the direction I’m leaning in. I realize it’s a personal preference, but I’m wondering if any of you out there prefer steering the boat from a helm mounted at the back or the middle of the boat, and if using only the kicker without the main motor as a router is sufficient.

Thanks in advance for your opinions/experiences and advice.

 

[Rayvon]

I really prefer having both motors turning with each other,much more positive in tides and weather.There is also a cable system that goes from your main to kicker if the bends aren't too tight. I can't remember who makes it? Seastar? I've always been able to bend a stainless rod to connect them.

 

[Saxe Point]

I really prefer having both motors turning with each other,much more positive in tides and weather.There is also a cable system that goes from your main to kicker if the bends aren't too tight. I can't remember who makes it? Seastar? I've always been able to bend a stainless rod to connect them.

Thanks for your views. You are right about the cable system, which is made by Seastar. I'd love to use it but can't because the main motor needs at least 14 inches of clearance from the side of the motor well, and I don't have that.

 

[ccm]

Thanks for your views. You are right about the cable system, which is made by Seastar. I'd love to use it but can't because the main motor needs at least 14 inches of clearance from the side of the motor well, and I don't have that.

I have the Seastar cable system on my Striper. To get around the clearance issue I cut a hole in the side of the motor well and lined it with a plastic flanged can. When I turn the boat the steering rod for the system disapears into the can. It works pretty well.

 

[Eden Island]

Mine is one hydraulic system, 2 steering stations, with the ability to isolate which motor you are steering. It was on the boat when I bought it, is simple to use, and performs well. The control valves are within easy reach but out of sight in the cockpit.

I really don't like the tie bar system, especially if your kicker is further out on a bracket. Picture solo fishing in waves/chop, leaning out past the transom and having an oops moment -- dropping either the bar or you overboard.

 

[sly_karma]

I got a bigger boat (22.5 foot Proline) and I got a new kicker for it as the ancient Yamaha on it is pretty much done. It was a tiller, but it was apparently sometimes connected to the main motor with an EZ-Steer bar. My new kicker is not a tiller (it’s a Suzuki 9.9 electric start power tilt). Most important, is the fact that the kicker is mounted on a bracket and therefore set back a distance from the main motor. So unlike with my previous smaller boat where the main water and the kicker were both mounted on the transom, a rigid tie bar between the two motors is just not a possibility. I’ve also heard that the EZ-Steer bars are not great, so I’m not looking at going in that direction at all.

I’ve read good things on this forum about the liquid tie bar system and got some great advice from Profisher, who has been using this system for years. The system basically involves a hydraulic unit on the kicker, which is connected and disconnected from the same hydraulic system on the main motor. It allows them to be steered together and gives you the ability to disconnect the kicker, just by turning a switch/valve, when you don’t need to use it.The other option that I discussed at the place I bought the kicker is to have an independent hydraulic steering system with a rear helm for the kicker only. In other words, it would not steer the main motor. The costs are basically the same for the two systems.

I am leaning strongly in the direction of getting the liquid tie bar system. It allows me to steer the boat from the front, which I think is preferable, and it allows both the main motor and the kicker to steer the boat. The “independent“ system for the kicker means I steer the boat from a helm at the back or near the middle, and it means I do not have the advantage of being able to use the main motor as a rudder.

I’m just wondering what guys think about the direction I’m leaning in. I realize it’s a personal preference, but I’m wondering if any of you out there prefer steering the boat from a helm mounted at the back or the middle of the boat, and if using only the kicker without the main motor as a router is sufficient.

Thanks in advance for your opinions/experiences and advice.

A 22 ft isn't that big, only a couple of steps to the helm. Single control from there means less stuff to buy, install and maintain, plus there's the extra rudder effect from the main. Only reason I'd consider an aft control station would be if this was a pilothouse/bulkhead style hull.