Questions about installing a kicker outboard

[verena]

Fellow MacSailors,
We want to install a kicker outboard on our 1999 26X on an adjustable outboard bracket on the transom.
This will mainly be for our Walker Bay but also to power the X in case of a Honda breakdown.
A few questions:
Which will work better, a short shaft or long shaft?
What is the smallest HP that can still push the big(ger) boat at a reasonable speed?
Any "lessons learned" from people who have done this would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Verena

Webfoot

[Kelly Hanson East]

I think you will find a couple of great detailed threads in Performance Forum - Tahoe Jack , Duane and I have all posted on this with measurements/details...Ill try to find links and post here

On edit

3.5 or bigger will move the boat as an auxilliary kicker just fine

A long shaft is easier as an aux kicker, but probably too long for most dinks

60# is the practical limit for handling an aux motor without a crane, Ive found (and confirmed by many stronger than I)

[Kelly Hanson East]

From last summer

http://macgregorsailors.com/forum/viewt ... nt#p161175

[Tahoe Jack]

I agree with Kelly H. The issue of the long shaft vs. dinghy...I solved this by adding a vertical extension to my dinghy transom...1/4" aluminum plate sandwich, SS nylocks etc. only about 4" as I recall. I have not posted that mod but could email pics if you are interested. You need the long shaft to allow the dinghy motor to serve as a kicker for the Mac. My 26X dinghy motor mount mod is http://macgregorsailors.com/modt/index.php?view=1001 Tahoe Jack

[SailingontheRiva]

Anybody ever used the swim platform bracket on the starboard side of the motor as a mounting bracket for a 3.5 Hp as a backup?

I've got a 1998 .

[Chinook]

It might be possible to attach a board to the swim ladder, but I think the kicker would be sitting too close to the stern to be very effectively operated. Another problem would be not having the ability to raise and lower the motor (assuming that the bracket is directly attached to the swim ladder). When you're sailing or motoring with the big engine, you don't want the kicker dragging in the water, but you do need to lower it when running on the kicker. I don't think mounting a retractable mount on the swim ladder is a good idea, because of the looseness of things and the torques involved. My motor mount is like Tahoe Jack's, and it works well. Also, I have a 3.5 hp kicker which is able to push the Mac at around 4 knots or slightly higher in light air and calm waters. However, it will tend to stall out if you try to go against a stiff wind. It is great for slow speed trolling with a downrigger.

[Catigale]

Riva - the swim ladder bracket isnt a standard factory item, so be careful reading responses from people so that you understand exactly where their bracket is

Mine is mounted portside outboard of the transom well and rudders. for example.

[Rick Westlake]

Thanks for the re-directs - very helpful.

I've been playing with the idea of getting a motor for my inflatable, which is placarded for 2.5 hp maximum. If I do it, the most sensible thing is to keep it on a swing-down motor mount like yours. The most important point for me would be ease of carrying and mounting; I wouldn't ask a little kicker to do more than get Bossa Nova from the channel to the dock.

Catigull, I missed out on getting that British Seagull Forty Plus - but another one showed up on my local Craigslist ... unfortunately, it "hasn't been started in 20 years". That isn't a real problem, is it - I mean as long as it can be pulled through, and preferably it was stored with the tank & carb empty...?

[Bleakco]

Last year while out in our previous mac "seven" we had trouble with the yammer 9.8 and used our dink with a 2 hp honda to get us home...it was a long slow push but got us there.. we tied the dink along side and tied the honda so it would not swivel and used the mac rudder for steerage..

[DaveB]

Rick, I have a fixed bracket on port side for my 28 lb 4cycle Suzuki 2.5 , I didn't go for the adjustable mount as the shaft length is 15 inches and would require very long arms on the motor mount to clear water when in up position and also putting motor on and off Dink while in dingy.
I plan on haveing a L shape channel that bolts on the bracket in a emergancy that allows it to go down to proper depth for prop.
Towing with a dink will require two persons on the boat. One at the wheel and other in the dink as you need the weight in the dink for stable control.
The L shape bracket would require undoing 4 bolts on the bracket and rebolting to add the L bracket to slide it down.
You can just add the bracket with a 1/4 inch channel for about 18 inches but The first way channels probably work best and not so ugly.
I still am working on the ease of quick mounting.
Dave

Thanks for the re-directs - very helpful.

I've been playing with the idea of getting a motor for my inflatable, which is placarded for 2.5 hp maximum. If I do it, the most sensible thing is to keep it on a swing-down motor mount like yours. The most important point for me would be ease of carrying and mounting; I wouldn't ask a little kicker to do more than get Bossa Nova from the channel to the dock.

Catigull, I missed out on getting that British Seagull Forty Plus - but another one showed up on my local Craigslist ... unfortunately, it "hasn't been started in 20 years". That isn't a real problem, is it - I mean as long as it can be pulled through, and preferably it was stored with the tank & carb empty...?

[Catigale]

Rick - 100-200 USD for that motor on Craigs list. If the guys wants more than that, he should have to show it runs well.

Watch for cracks in the crankcase at the tiller handle - people drop the motors on the tiller handle and crack the case - it wont start then (no compression)

Ignore any 'collectible hype' - BS made 10E4 os these things and they are all over the world - I bought a NOS one from a guy in NY a few years ago in its original shipping crate..

There is a guy on Cape Cod who had a pretty decent stock of motors he reworked and sold...I think you might be able to find him on John Williams 'saving old seagulls' website.

I actually traded one of mine for a Hobie 16 last in 2008

[SailingontheRiva]

Thanks for the comments guys. My swim platform is also on the port side between the motor and rudder- I measured it this weekend and found that the rudder would hit the motor when mounted here. Guess I'll be mounting an adjustable kicker.....Justification to the Admiral "I guess one tow-in would cost more than the $200 for the mount"

[Catigale]

Well done Riva...