Running main engine what do you do with the kicker?

[CaptSpike]

I have a Honda 150 with a 9.9 kicker. I am unable to tip the kicker up to get it out of the water (tiller handle) so I usually tip it up as high as I can (two clicks) and run in. What does everyone else do? Other than drag is there a reason not to run with the kicker lowered to it's running position?

Spike

[skipper19]

That little prop is gonna spin like a turbo! Probably not good for the bearings in neutral. Don't leave it in the water with it in gear. The 150 will get you up to speed and jump start the little motor and it will be forced to keep up at a speed of rpm not recommended for longevity. ..Boom!

Cent frum my notso smart fone

[zackblain]

maybe look into some sort of lift/jackplate to get your kicker out of the water?

[Roughrider IV]

I have a tiller extra long shaft, it has 16 inches of space from transom, lifts out of water using panther trim unit .

[CaptSpike]

That little prop is gonna spin like a turbo! Probably not good for the bearings in neutral. Don't leave it in the water with it in gear. The 150 will get you up to speed and jump start the little motor and it will be forced to keep up at a speed of rpm not recommended for longevity. ..Boom!

Cent frum my notso smart fone

I think that is what is happening. In the down position it spins it too fast and in the up position (as far up as I can tilt it) it doesn't get the lube of water and my rear seal is going. I did leave it in gear before by mistake and it did jump start it. Didn't find out until I came off plane.

It is a sport angler so the kicker mounts on the same transom as the main motor. I think I'll sell the tiller model and buy one without the tiller.

 

Thanks for your input,

Spike

[ray koziatek]

now ya know you can push start it

[finsntins]

can you remove the tiller control and install either a remote control or a control king?i just installed one on my kicker and i am very happy with it.

[Chas0218]

What kind of kicker? My tiller handle can lay flat back on itself.  My kicker prop just barely sits in the water when not on plane, as soon as I jump her up on plane the lower unit of the kicker is out of the water.  Also in a heavy surf with the bow coming up the motors lower unit will "float" on the wake coming off the back of the boat.

 

Try to get her off the back of the boat more so you can prop her up higher. Try one of these maybe?

http://www.marinetechproducts.com/pages/550028/

[ERABBIT]

I had a 15 hp Mercy tiller handle it was mounted like your set-up, the handle would tilt also with a little adjustment I  could tilt the motor out of water getting prop out also by moving motor and tiller handle. It would be under some getting up on plane but then be fine...... 

[CaptSpike]

I had a 15 hp Mercy tiller handle it was mounted like your set-up, the handle would tilt also with a little adjustment I  could tilt the motor out of water getting prop out also by moving motor and tiller handle. It would be under some getting up on plane but then be fine...... 

If I disconnected the steering link I could possibly do that. Trying to avoid extra steps to fish and run.

I do have a control king but my fear is if the solenoid ever goes  and I had removed the tiller I'd be without a way to throttle up the kicker if I needed to.

I'm not adding any jack plates or other additional pieces to make it work. I'll just go with what should have been put there in the first place.

Thanks again for everyones input.

 

Spike

[rapala]

I also have a 9.9 Honda 4 stroke, with the extra long shaft. I cannot get the motor high enough, I lock the motor in and make sure you are in neutral. I have been doing this for 11 years with no problems what so ever.  Every fall when I service the Honda, I  add 2 washers between prop and nut, it wears the washers out.  I have over 3000 hours on the Honda.

[LongLine]

There will be a lot of upward force on that little engine.  If you race in with it in neutral the water will lift it even higher and when you slow down it will slam back into its down position.  Your bracket needs to be well re-enforced & the engine securely attached to it.  (chain that little guy!) If you have it locked so it can't lift anymore then it will rev & do some damage.  Best if you can figure a way to lift it out of the water.  Can you make a pole hook to grab the back of it & lift?

 

I learned the hard way & if I hadn't had it chained, I would have lost it all.  BTW anyone ever hook a cowl of the Genny for a 9.8 merc?

 

Tom B.

(LongLine)

[rolmops]

Check out where the water line is on your transom and set the cavitation plate 1 or 2 inches below that point. Now your propeller will be behind your transom and not below it. When trolling that is just fine.

When you run on your main engine, the kicker will be out of the water.