Am revisiting this issue again since trolling is quite a big thing for me. I am thinking that it is possible to get a Yamaha 8-10HP kicker motor 4 stroke for about 2 grand, brand new with and without an autopilot. How much does it cost to rig it up so that I can continue to steer with my steering console and for it to take gas from my internal fuel tank? How does it work for you people who have kicker motors? Do you tiller steer it when the kicker is down or do you steer it with the boat steering wheel? If it is steered with the boat steering wheel, does it mean that the main motor and the kicker must be linked together? How does it affect the linkage if the main motor has power trim and tilt and the kicker does not? What are the issues involved when trailering a kicker motor? Does it need to have a transom saver too? How much HP is enough and what speeds are ideal? I know I want to troll between 1.5 - 2.5 mph. My current trolling motor at 55lbs 12V run at 1.5 mph at setting of 7-8. My main motor gives about 2.5 - 3mph at the lowest trolling speed. Any advice on kicker motors and a description of how it works on your boats is appreciated. Thanks!
I just figured that it is easy enough to just get a 3 bank so when the boat is not in use I can keep all 3 batteries charged. I have not bough a charger yet, maybe I will give it some more thought.
Edit: After thinking this over, with the size, weight, and heat output of the charger (as well as the cost) I think it makes sense to just
buy a 2 bank charger, I have a smaller charger i can use on the starting battery when the boat is sitting at home. Forgive me, for i am a retired engineer and I have to obsess over everything...
Congrats on the motor! I think you’ll like it.
I can’t say much on the charger location but I’ve seen them under the lid in back compartments and under center rod lockers. 160 degrees is more than I expected to hear.
Curious why you’re opting for a 3 bank charger with a 24V trolling motor. Unless you don’t feel you be running you big motor enough to keep that battery up as well?
I did buy an Minnkota Ulterra, thanks for the recommendations. I had a bunch of Cabela"s bucks saved up, which helped. Now i need to
get an onboard battery charger. Where do you guys mount these things in your boat? The manufacturer I am looking at {Noco genius)
says tht their 3-bank charger will run at 160 degrees, seems like a lot of heat in an enclosed compartment? Thanks for any input on this.
Wasn't terrible at a state park beach. Antelope island maybe. I wouldn't recommend it as a beach destination tho. Figured I was there, I'm getting in it.
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Am revisiting this issue again since trolling is quite a big thing for me. I am thinking that it is possible to get a Yamaha 8-10HP kicker motor 4 stroke for about 2 grand, brand new with and without an autopilot. How much does it cost to rig it up so that I can continue to steer with my steering console and for it to take gas from my internal fuel tank? How does it work for you people who have kicker motors? Do you tiller steer it when the kicker is down or do you steer it with the boat steering wheel? If it is steered with the boat steering wheel, does it mean that the main motor and the kicker must be linked together? How does it affect the linkage if the main motor has power trim and tilt and the kicker does not? What are the issues involved when trailering a kicker motor? Does it need to have a transom saver too? How much HP is enough and what speeds are ideal? I know I want to troll between 1.5 - 2.5 mph. My current trolling motor at 55lbs 12V run at 1.5 mph at setting of 7-8. My main motor gives about 2.5 - 3mph at the lowest trolling speed. Any advice on kicker motors and a description of how it works on your boats is appreciated. Thanks!
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