I have a 16' 1984 Sea Explorer with a 50hp 2 stroke merc and a 4hp 2 stroke Johnson. I am thinking about re powering and am curious to know if it would be feasible to re power with two (2) 40 hp 4 stroke motors or even two 30 hp motors on this model ? Was thinking I might be able to do so and eliminate the kicker altogether using one of the mains to troll with? Am wondering if anyone has tried this configuration successfully yet. Thank you for your time. :anyone:
Have you looked at the weight of twins versus main/kicker?
If I had your motors and they were running fine I wouldn't upgrade. It will take forever to make up the purchase cost in fuel savings.
Quote from: Markshoreline on May 14, 2019, 06:02:55 PM
If I had your motors and the were running fine I wouldn't upgrade. It will take forever to make up the purchase cost in fuel savings.
Mark, that's completely contrary to our (transparent) bylaws. You know the one: "We're here to help you spend your money!" :bigshock: You keep that up and we may have to vote you out of your highly paid and honored position of Global Moderator. Shame. :facepalm: :clap:
I apologize and retract my previous comment..... :jester:
Karen better not be on this site Mark :redface:
Twins will not fit in the motor well on the early Sea Explorer.
The problem that brought on the question is that I am looking for a way to steer the kicker from helm. It is a real pain in the tush reaching over my down rigger. The guy I bought from had a jerry rigged "panther" steering bar that turns nicely in on direction but not the other. Like being in a backwards nascar race. The people here are awesome. I soooo love the the humor and fun you all have.
Don't know about the Panther, but EZ Steer works well for me in all directions and with either main or kicker in up or down position. Motors automatically recenter when you move them completely one side to the other in down position, if they need readjusting.
Sounds like twins won't work on your SE. But for what it's worth, I have twin Yamaha 40's on my 17 Chaser, and your basic idea was good. With the twins you have two trolling motors with electric start, remote throttle, steering, power trim, and tach at the helm. You also have 2 alternators keeping your batteries charged, precise trolling even upwind (since both motors are near centerline), no downrigger line interference when turning (for the same reason), and NO kicker bounce on the highway. You can also rotate the boat - handy when docking in tight quarters. The twins 40's weigh less than a 90 hp main and kicker. My previous boat had the EZ steer. It actually worked pretty well, though I'd never go back to a main and kicker.
I sit on the port sponson and hold the kicker's tiller when trolling. I'm next to my port downrigger for when the bite happens. There's always some angle that the tie bars don't like so I have ditched mine. Anyone want to buy it if I can locate it?
Mooch do you have pics posted here in the forum of your ez steer set up by chance?
I think the optimal setup (if you can afford it) for max reliability and power is to actually get THREE 25hp's or THREe 30hp's.
Here's some math for you:
3 x 25 = 75hp
3 x 30 = 90hp
Why chance it? Plus you'll be the only guy with triples on the fishing grounds. Bragging rights will be so worth it. :party017: :beerchug:
Also you can maybe get a joystick control to slide sideways into the dock.
Quote from: Doozer on May 14, 2019, 09:21:19 PM
Mooch do you have pics posted here in the forum of your ez steer set up by chance?
(http://www.arimaowners.com/gallery/12/9416-150519160930.jpeg)
(http://www.arimaowners.com/gallery/12/9416-150519160958.jpeg)
Here's my setup, sort of. I inverted the kicker EZ Steer bracket to get a better angle. This helps especially when the kicker is tilted up and the main is down. This allows for it to be hooked up all the time regardless of motor position.
(http://www.arimaowners.com/gallery/8/81-220516190950-837717.jpeg)