Adding a kicker to 2004 Lunker

[Fishing Junky]

Howdy guys. I have a 2004 Alumacraft Lunker w/25hp fourstroke Yamaha. My BWCAW boat. Anyways, I would like to add a 4-6hp kicker, but even with the small 25hp on the back, I don't have the room because of the design of the transom. Any ideas how I could mount a kicker and have it be comfortable to troll with without getting in the way of the main motor? Thanks for any thoughts on this. Junky...

[Paul Waldowski]

Junky,

For the life of me I can't figure out why you are looking to add a kicker. A 25 hp 4 stroke motor should have no problems trolling down slow enough to troll at whatever speed you would like.

[Fishing Junky]

Hey Paul. Actually it trolls to fast for my liking, even backtrolling. Also it would be nice to have a backup in the BWCA. I do have a transom mount minnkota, and that BARELY fits on the transom. Wavewackers won't even build me a set of wackers with a trolling motor cutout, because of the lack of room. I guess the transom is just not designed for two motors.

[Rost]

If you are having trouble getting your speed down, try a different prop. Maybe go down a pitch or two. This will slow you down at full throttle a bit, but then again that particular boat and motor package was not built for speed anyways.

Good luck!

[Paul Waldowski]

Junky,

What about going with a Minnkota Vantage?? Smaller footprint, lots of power, reasonably priced when compared to the cost of the kicker, and quiet as all get out for the BWCAC

[Fishing Junky]

Thanks for the ideas guys. All good thoughts. I'm pretty sure the vantage wouldn't fit, as my Maxxim is as far over as possible and it just fits. I could get a 4hp for the same price as the Vantage plus batteries. As far as the lower pitch prop is concerned, I already run a 9 pitch and that is as low as I've found. The boat actually does quite well with two people in the boat. I'm starting to think that my options aren't many, and I should be satisfied with what I have. I can always throw a drift sock out also. I just thought maybe they made a transom plate or something that would work. Thanks again for the ideas though. Junky...

[Paul Waldowski]

Junky,

For a cheap option, you can always backtroll and throw a 5 gallon bucket or 2 off of the bow which should slow you way down.

[Fishing Junky]

Good point Paul. I like that option.

[Paul Waldowski]

Junky,

If you're in a bind you can always shoot me an e-mail...seems I always have an extra drift sock or two laying around that will serve the same purpose, but take up a whole lot less room in the boat. Be patient though as I will be out of town for 5 days fishing the Sturgeon Excursion.

[Fishing Junky]

Hey Paul. That's awfull kind of ya to offer and I appreciate it. I did however, order one last night from Cabela's. Another thing I thought of last night, is that my motor has pt/t and I can experiment with different angles while backtrolling. I like to lindy rig and go real slow. Again, thank you very much for the offer and I wish ya some great fishing this season. Junky.....

[Surface Tension]

Junky, I'm in the same boat as you.

I'm putting together a Moose Chain and Sag rig, my transom's cut out isn't wide enough to mount a kicker either. I'll be mounting a auxillery motor mount bracket on the transom.

A word on why I'm not using an electric or the 25 HP to troll with and an opting for the kicker.

As Junky pointed out having the second motor as a backup. Also trolling with the kicker saves gas, that might sound cheap but when your already packing in 15 gallons it becomes a weight and space issue. Yes the electric is nice but for and extended weekend you'll need at least 2 batteries, thats more weight added to a boat thats loaded with camping gear and gas. So for me in this situation the kicker is the best option.

[Fishing Junky]

Hey ST. I thought about a trolling motor mount also. My thoughts on that though, is that it would set the motor back too far to comfortly control. A 4hp tiller handle isn't that long and the shifter is on the side of the motor. Now a 6hp Yamaha is a very nice motor with longer handle and shifter on the tiller arm, but a bigger body on it. I think I'm just gonna live with what I got and use my electric, which I generally use to control my drift anyways. Would be nice to get a gas though. Good luck with your setup. Junky..... P.S. Would something like this bracket work for you??