Kicker motor for a big lake boat

[Greg Hyovalti]

I have recently purchased a 1970 Slickcraft 235 hard top for Lake Superior this is my first big boat. I have a 2003 15 hp Honda motor that I would like to use for the kicker motor but it is heavy at 110lbs dry weight. The deck on back has some give in it when I bounce the motor that worries me. I know I could stiffen this deck up to hold the motor solid. I have 2 questions. Will this heavy of motor cause the boat to list much? And what potential issues could I have with making a stronger swim deck for the back of the boat. The stern looks to be a good 2” thick. I am just wondering what my best bet would be. To stiffen the deck up for my kicker motor or trying to find a different kicker motor? I already have the 15 hp Honda so I would like to try and make it work but don’t want to cause myself any problems with the structure of the boat down the road.

[Northlander]

A 15 horse Honda is ideal for that boat. It wont make a tilt in that boat. I would strengthen the transom and get a kicker bracket for it.

[Valv]

I have a Lund 2150 (you know it Steve) and I am looking for a kicker too but I would stay with 2 strokes since they are lighter, I have here a Mercury 15hp and it doesn't weight much.

The downside I have to use a separate tank for gas mix.

The 4 stroke will be nice for noise and versatility but weight is a factor, you might have to really look into the reinforcement of the transom.

Can you access it easily ?

[Surface Tension]

I take it from your post your motor mount is built into the swim platform and your transom isn't the issue.

I haven't seen any swim platforms w/ motor mount that I would trust while trailering, at least without some additional support. In fact I have the same setup and don't trailer the boat with the kicker on. If you can post a picture that would help.

[Greg Hyovalti]

I took a couple pics last night. What I came up with is to have some beefier brackets made for the swin deck then put a plate on the inside and run a bolt all the way through the stren with a locking nut. I will try attaching a couple pics I hope it works I have never attached a pic before

Greg

[image]http://by101fd.bay101.hotmail.msn.com/cgi-bin/getmsg?&msg=FD76885E-C3D9-4451-A528-[/image]

[image]http://by101fd.bay101.hotmail.msn.com/cgi-bin/getmsg?&msg=FD76885E-C3D9-4451-A528-[/image]

[image]http://by101fd.bay101.hotmail.msn.com/cgi-bin/getmsg?&msg=FD76885E-C3D9-4451-A528-[/image]

[Surface Tension]

You'll have to upload your pictures on a host site.

Look here

[Greg Hyovalti]

Ok maybe this time it will work

[Greg Hyovalti]

Thanks S.T. I might have to take some new pic these ones turned out pretty small

[Valv]

I can see it's mounted on your swim platform, I would cut off part of it and add a motor bracket directly on hull.

The platforms are not a solid mount, even with a 2 stroke.

[Northlander]

What Valv said.

[Surface Tension]

If you put an axillary mount on it'll have to be a drop down otherwise there won't be enough room between the transom and outboard. Drop down scissor type mounts aren't that strong either. Cutting the swim platform seems like a lot of work not to mention the angle brace would have to be relocated and still have the clearance for the outdrive.

I'd go with adding brackets to the swim mount along with using a transom saver.

[Greg Hyovalti]

That is kind of what I was thinking. I think I am going to start off by having some new platform brackets made, probably out of 3/8th thick and 2 inches wide and install them to see how strong it will be and go from there. I don’t think I will need the transom saver. I will trailer it up north with out the kicker motor on and once the boat is in its summer home it is only a mile to the landing.

Thanks for your help guys