Dahitman44 Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 I am considering a kicker for my 185 trophy.I have a 175 Suzuki on it and put a 90# thrust 24-volt electric, but there are still times I get pretty frustrated trying to stay on a piece of structure.I considered putting a kicker on right away, but like many people I did not and I am kicking myself.Is a kicker a smart move?I understand a suzuki kicker runs about $5,000 with controls and mounted by the pros -- does that sound "about" right?Any and ALL thoughts on this issue would be great.ThanksHit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minneman Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 Do you have the room to go with 1 more battery? You could switch to the 36v terrova, and sell your 24v. way cheaper than $5k. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dahitman44 Posted February 3, 2009 Author Share Posted February 3, 2009 Minnow-man --That is an idea too. I just hate constantly correcting with gusts and I think the kicker would be easier in those windy conditions.I have a dealer that is going to shoot me a "deal" I will tell you later about -- just want to make sure that $5,000 is not WAY overpriced as the starting point.My hard cost will only be $2,500. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dahitman44 Posted February 3, 2009 Author Share Posted February 3, 2009 I would like to hear from those that have a kicker and how much they like it or use it - -or don't?What do you say, fellas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonkapat Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 There are a lot of options with kickers also. Not sure about suzuki but with the yamaha u can get the tiller handle to run like a tiller and an electronic controller so u can run it at the wheel. Make sure to get the quick disconnect steering and if u want to disconnect get the round prop protector so u don't hit the big motor. good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PerchJerker Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 $5k for a kicker sounds high. I don't know about the Suz kickers but you should be able to get a Merc Pro Kicker around $3K and a T-8 for less than that. I wouldn't pay much more than that for a Suz kicker.I use my kicker a lot. Having a kicker and a bowmount electric motor should give you the versatility you need to control your boat in just about any situation. I run my kicker as a tiller controlled motor, not as a remote tied to the big motor. It's much more responsive as a tiller controlled motor, and I think much more effective for many situations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deep_Sinker Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 I had a T8 installed for 3200 last summer. Remote controls and all. Very, very happy with the motor. It was my understanding that all the kickers in this HP rating were priced about the same, so 5k sounds way high to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishwater Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 I put a suzuki 9.9th on for around $3k. Mine is setup as a tiller, so I didn't have all the rigging costs your talking about. If I'm not trolling, I generally use the bow mount. When rigging and you need a kicker, you really need it. Sucks not to stay on fish when your catching them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassNspear Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 5 k is high. I have done Merc, Yamaha and Evinrude for 4200 installed!If you dont mind me asking, what type of boat are you putting it on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dahitman44 Posted February 3, 2009 Author Share Posted February 3, 2009 EXCELLENT info guys --Another question now -- tiller or controls -- ish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dahitman44 Posted February 3, 2009 Author Share Posted February 3, 2009 so $4200 is "about" right?It is on a black 185 trophy with 175 SuzukiAny other thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dahitman44 Posted February 3, 2009 Author Share Posted February 3, 2009 Perch --I actually like running the boat with the wheel -- but I know what you mean by being able to be more responsive.I tell you -- I am one of those guys that sits in the captain's chair to run the electric as well.I know it seems goofy, but I do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassNspear Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 if you like to be in the chair, tie them together!Then you will not know the difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BJB Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 $4200 seems high. I have a 97 hull & 96 motors (Lund & Yammies) & my kicker is a remote T9.9. I bought it a couple years old but if I was building from scratch I'd go a T8 tiller w/ a trollmaster gform the cowboying on the rocks in the fall and have a connecting rod for open basin trolling so I coould run both motors from the wheel when I had plenty of water under the skegs. I know a friend got a new non-current T8 tiller for $2800 last spring. Rigging is a snap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassNspear Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 4200 is New 2009There is a ton of non current kickers out there that you can save money on with out a doubt!Might be something to check out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dahitman44 Posted February 3, 2009 Author Share Posted February 3, 2009 I will check out non-current -- what if it is a 08 or 07 holdover -- any idea how much i should save? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dahitman44 Posted February 3, 2009 Author Share Posted February 3, 2009 great thread I am learning a lot -- I am a sponge -- please give me more info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PerchJerker Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Perch --I actually like running the boat with the wheel -- but I know what you mean by being able to be more responsive.I tell you -- I am one of those guys that sits in the captain's chair to run the electric as well.I know it seems goofy, but I do. Then you really need to look at the digital trollmaster throttle control. It connects right to the throttle mechanism under the hood of the kicker and gives you much more precise speed adjustments than typical controls will. They're only a few hundred bucks, and I'd say they're a must-have if you're running the kicker from the console. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wplatehunter Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 The trollmaster is well worth the money, and connect the kicker to the main motor. This way you can control the boat and speed from you wheel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goose89 Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 What wplate and others have said. Trollmaster and connector. You'll love the ultra-fine control with the trollmaster. Easy to install, on T-8 anyways. I don't think jumping up to 36 is the answer. Great if you need more power for electric, but you're not gonna troll all day with it, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wplatehunter Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 I have a T-8 now and it works great, but I had a 15 hp merc 2-stroke on my old boat and the trollmaster would not work with the motor. The sales person said it would, but after trying eveything the company told me there is some kind of motor noise that made it not work. The connector bar is cheap and and easy to use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishwater Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 That's how I run mine, tiller with trollmaster and connector for when I want to run at the console. I find I'm using the tiller handle more and more unless I'm trolling open water. If you are going to run it as a tiller, check out the Merc pro kicker over the Suzuki. The throttle handle with forward/reverse without shifting is a really nice feature. It is a pain to get all the way back onto the motor if you need to throw it in reverse for any reason. My Suzuki was also a little noisy and shook the [PoorWordUsage] out of the boat for the first 20 or so hours of use at certain speeds. It has calmed down quite a bit now and runs a lot quieter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PerchJerker Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 I use Merc kickers for the twist-grip shifting on the throttle that fishwater mentioned. It's a great system. I do a lot of slip drifting and vertical fishing with my kicker motor and it is invaluable in that situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dahitman44 Posted February 3, 2009 Author Share Posted February 3, 2009 Man -- I am loving this information --Would really like to hear even more -- the more you hear the best decision a person can make.IMOplease -- keep it going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dahitman44 Posted February 4, 2009 Author Share Posted February 4, 2009 anyone else have any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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