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Need some advice for a kicker for my 1995 Outrage I with a 1995 Evinrude 115 hp. Most of my boating will be at the mouth of the Cape Fear river, and the Intracoastal Waterway (smooth waters to 1-foot), with a few forays into the ocean to about 10 miles out (2-4 foot sea state.)

Horsepower?

2 vs 4 cycle?

Clamp on or through the transom?

Does it make a difference whether the engine is mounted port or starboard side on the transom?

Can a 4 cycle engine burn 2 cycle fuel without harming the engine?

Any specific model recommendations?

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emsai,

We have many articles on this site. One of them is all about kickers.
Do yourself a favor and look through all the articles.
Here is the article about the kicker choices.
http://www.whalercentral.com/readarti...ticle_id=7

2 or 4 stroke is up to the individual.
The starboard side is always preferred due to the prop torque of the main engine but not mandatory.
With your model, I believe you will need a bracket. I recommend a stationary bracket rather than one of the knuckle and/or back breaking adjustable brackets.
Here is just one manufacturer of a stationary bracket. There are several other manufacturers.
http://www.tannermfg.com/tannermfg.htmnermfg.htm

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The only remaining question I have is long or short shaft for the port side of a 1995 Outrage I?

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Long Shaft.... 20"

No matter what bracket you use... 20 inch long shaft....
I still recommend the stationary bracket however....

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I have a 1991 17' Outrage with a 5hp 4-stroke kicker on the port side mounted to a garlick backet...fixed bracket...handles it nicely, its rated for 15hp...I think most people like to have their mounted on the starboard side to compensate for the prop torque...the reason escapes me as to why I have it mounted on that side but I'm sure it was really important...I just went to my local merc dealer and had them install it...an hours worth of labor, no problem...

Good luck with your project...

DaveS

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I think Dave has one of these from Garelick which are very nice stationary brackets.

http://www.garelick.com/product.php?p...mber=71078

The #71075 has vertical adjustment for different transoms... Once you set it at the correct angle, it is stationary...

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I took my 17' Outrage into the Delaware River the other day and just for kicks and giggles, decided to see what it would do against the current...it was the first time I've ever started that engine...it was just an insurance policy on the back of the boat...the 5hp 4-stroke merc came to life without a problem and was able to push the boat against the current without a problem...this also included my two sons in the boat...wouldn't want to come home that way from a distance but it's nice to know I can...the only thing that was noticable was the vibration...didn't bother me at all but I know it ( single cylinder outboards) bothers others...I'm going to swap out the prop which should improve my speed a bit but I like the setup...

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Thanks for the report Dave...

Any Photos? Everyone is always interested in seeing photos...
Put some up in your Personal Page when you get a chance.....

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Sure......check them out on my website at:

http://pan.intrasun.tcnj.edu/610/Scha...utrage.htm

Down at the bottom of the page...

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Wound up buying a 1972 Evinrude 6 hp 2 cycle Fisherman, with extended shaft, on Ebay for $152.50. FANTASTIC PRICE. Seller thought it was a "60s vintage" because the serial/model number started with 62... So did I until after I bought it. Also bought a new Fulton kicker bracket on Ebay at a great price. The bracket is a little much for this engine; it has 4 positions and will take up to a 30 hp 2 cycle or a 9.9 hp 4 cycle. Replaced water pump impeller and water tube grommet on engine.

Mounted it on the starboard side because the oil injection tank is on the port side and did not leave any hand room in that space. Runs great.

Thanks for your help.

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I'm curious about the Port vs. Starboard mounting location of a Kicker. From Joe's post it looks like the Port side is preferable. I've got a 6HP Kicker mounted on my 94' Outrage 17' on the Port side. It has quite a bit of Port side low trim when running on plane. I'd like to know if anyone has tried mounting a fixed trim tab to compensate.

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bigfish,

My mistake.... I must have had a brain lapse....
I changed my post above to reflect "Starboard side is preferred"...

Which side is left???
Who's on first???

Sorry for the confusion.....

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Joe,

Yes but What's on Second.

I've noticed the Kicked mounted both Port and Starboard on various boats. Rather than relocating my kicker, what are your thoughts about a fixed trim tab?

Thanks

Kent (bigfish114)

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Kent,

I don't recall if your battery is under a stern seat. If it is under one of them, I would suggest the opposing side. My boat has a slight list when empty that favors the starboard (battery) side.

In re-reading this, I see you already mounted the kicker. Is it on the battery side? Maybe move the battery over OR into the console?

This help?

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Phil

On my 94' I have dual batteries mounted in the center console. They're pretty much on the centerline, so I don't know if moving them to port would give me much improvement.

Even standing to starboard when running there is still a noticeable list to port. So far the I've only run in lakes and rivers. I'd like to do some trips in the San Francisco Bay, and want to have an even trim when running.

I still am wondering if a fixed trim tab is even feasible?

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When I have a chance, I would like to do an article on different HP motors for a kicker. Start with a 4 hp and work up to a 20 hp and record the different speeds and characteristics of each motor.

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I assume your Outrage is a 17 ? I have a 17 Outrage II with a 135 Opti Main Engine and a 6 hp Johnson kicker mounted on a folding Garelick bracket (Starboard side). I like the folding bracket a lot, as it gets the kicker's prop down below the bottom of the boat where it can do the most good. No problems lifting it out of the water because there is a very strong spring that does almost all of the work.

The starbord side was really my only choice (because of the swim platform on the Port side), but I would have put it there anyway because the pilot position is port, so when I run alone I have proper trim with the kicker on the starboard side.

Roy

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HarleyFXDL maybe this info can get you started...

My tests this winter...
Test Boat 73 Montauk (non-smirk)
Main motor is a 1994 Mercury 75hp left in down position for all tests.
All tests were done with just me (300lbs) and 20 gals of fuel and my normal fishing gear.
Batteries mounted in Console and gas tank under the RPS.
Speed taken from GPS.
All aux motors mounted direct to transom on Starboard side. (one at a time of course)
Tests done in Saltwater estuary at slack tide with several runs and speed averaging.

55lb Thrust Electric motor max 2.5-MPH at WOT (Group 27 trolling battery on port side rear).
3hp 2-stroke long shaft Johnson 3.5mph at WOT. (built-in gas tank)
5hp 4-stroke short shaft Honda no good too much cavitation 3.5mph. (used existing gas tank)
6hp 4-stroke long shaft Mercury 5.5mph at WOT. (used existing gas tank)
7.5hp 4-stroke long shaft Honda 5.5mph at WOT. (used existing gas tank)

Regards Tim C.

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Thanks Tim. I was hoping to use an assortment of outboards to show the findings. I would assume that there would be little diference betweeen a 6hp and a 35hp as the hull will only go so fast before planing. I would guess hull speed from 3 mph for a 4 hp and 10-15 mph for a 35hp. I've seen on this website, someone with a 25hp kicker. Not sure how it performed. It would seem a little over kill to me.

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Kevin -

May be better to start a separate thread to get members input and results for an article. I am sure the information will be a great asset to the site.