Requesting forum advise: 14" offset kicker tie bar setup

[N2013]

With the Seastar System being hooked up 24/7, do both motors always move or is there a way to isolate one?

 

[CIVANO]

With the Seastar System being hooked up 24/7, do both motors always move or is there a way to isolate one?

Both motors always move on mine

 

[pescador]

With the Seastar System being hooked up 24/7, do both motors always move or is there a way to isolate one?

They both move but you don't even notice it when the kicker us up, and, I always keep the main in the water as it helps as a rudder.

 

[ccm]

I’ve had the Seastar kicker tie bar on my boat sine new. 2018. No issues, steers smooth, and other than occasionally giving it a shot of lube,no maintenance. I’d put one on my next boat without hesitation.

 

[Pearl dog]

What about just adding a second helm just for the kicker?

 

[seabeyond]

What about just adding a second helm just for the kicker?

Having the mains turn with the kicker really does help.

In the end RPM managed to bend a solid tie bar to fit. They added 4" of setback to the mount and made the tie bar work well with arounda 14" offset. Turns good both directions.

 

[Weatherall]

I'd like to add a kicker to keep some hours off the mains. I can't see how I'd get a conventional tie bar to work with the major offset.

The kicker bracket has a 14" offset from the mains. It's about 30" between kicker and stbd engine mounting center.

The most economic and functional option I see standing here is a seastar cable tie bar. I'm certainly not set on this option. I also don't know how to size the seastar cable tie bar if anyone has experience with sizing that system.

I don't really want to extend the bracket 10" to bring the motors more in line (although I'd sure prefer a conventional tie bar. It's currently 14" off the transom which I believe is sufficient clearance. Don't want to add more strain on the kicker mount or push the weight further aft if I don't need to.

All thoughts appreciated.


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This looks doable. I did this on my pod.

Panther Steering Kit - https://a.co/d/2CEPwCL

Longer (3ft) cut to length threaded bar - https://a.co/d/cFZfn8K

Looks like it could work. Seems to be holding up.

 

[wolf]

Having the mains turn with the kicker really does help.

MAKES a world of diffence you kinda of need it to....

 

[seabeyond]

MAKES a world of diffence you kinda of need it to....

Yes, agreed. Maybe not with the 17-22s but the bigger boats you need it.