Greetings All-

I have finally put the outboard purchase through "committee" and I have her approval for funding. Now comes the tricky part. I have a 2002 Sea Ranger HT/115 Yamaha and I and looking to put a fixed Salt Boss bracket and a Yamaha T9.9 XPB on it. The set up I am considering is a non-tiller model and use the main steeling with an EZ Steer or similar bracket. I do have my Scotty 1106's mounted toward the stern. I am curious to know if  anyone else base used this setup and how difficult is it to install the throttle controls/fuel lines? My most recent quote of $3400 for the motor and another $2k for bracket, controls, fuel lines and labor is a bit more than  I want to spend. Bite the bullet or look for alternatives? Thanks in advance for any advice you can give.

I was able to install my kicker by myself. I bought mine used and the cables/control came with it. Just a matter of running them into the motor well and around the boat. They were already set as to adjustment. Just a matter of disconnecting and reconnecting. Just have to make sure you don't have any tight bends or kinks. I have a fuel filter with two outlets and used the second outlet for the kicker.

If I purchased a fixed bracket I would have it installed by the seller.

Don't have DR's.

I usually do what I can myself cause I'm so cheap but there are times when using the pros is worth the added cost in regards to peace of mind and for warranty issues also. Good luck. I know that having a good kicker and controlling it from the helm is really nice.

I would get the tiller model, then add a Troll Master remote throttle for $200.  Best of both worlds.

The tiller control is very handy if you ever plan to fish halibut, or need to use the kicker in a docking maneuver.

...and in case you have some problem with the EZSteer!  The sponsons + the kicker bracket puts the kicker at a tough angle for the ezs.

Quote from: Threeweight on February 15, 2014, 11:17:54 AM
I would get the tiller model, then add a Troll Master remote throttle for $200.  Best of both worlds.

The tiller control is very handy if you ever plan to fish halibut, or need to use the kicker in a docking maneuver.

Would the Troll Master substitute for a Yamaha Control Box? Thanks in advance for your reply.

Quote from: markshoreline on February 15, 2014, 02:34:46 PM
...and in case you have some problem with the EZSteer!  The sponsons + the kicker bracket puts the kicker at a tough angle for the ezs.

Thanks Mark. I thought I could use the bracket that was mentioned here  by Grizzle http://www.arimaowners.com/index.php?topic=5863.msg65111#msg65111 . He also has the salt boss bracket. Would this set up work on my SR 19 and the 115 Yamaha? Thanks!

Quote from: 2Steelhead on February 15, 2014, 05:45:32 PM
Would the Troll Master substitute for a Yamaha Control Box? Thanks in advance for your reply.

You would still have to go back to the kicker to start it/put it in gear.  What the troll master does is give you infinite adjustment of the throttle.  Much more precise than the remote throttle.  A lot of guys with remote throttles use Troll Masters in conjunction with them, because of the fine tuning it gives you over your troll speed.  It is basically a servo that attaches to the throttle linkage of your kicker w/ a remote control.

TWT, you are making me think about adding the Troll Master to my kicker.   I like the wireless setup I am using with the PowrTran for steering but adding the greater control to the throttle would be a big advantage I am thinking. 

Bruce

I love mine.  I have an ancient Honda 8 for a kciker, with a clunky throttle.  Pain in the butt to try and adjust troll speed manually with it.  With the Troll Master we can  adjust to 1/10th of mph (per the gps).  Very sweet for trolling spring chinook down here.

Cabelas carries them, and often has them in the clearance room of the Lacey store for $125 (regularly $200+)  You can get a fit kit to match whatever they have in stock to your kicker for another $50 or so.

I will have to check Cabalas.  I am running a 2013 Honda 9.9 and the throttle is a little clunky on it as well sometimes hard to get the throttle set were you want it. 

Bruce

2steelhead
No matter which bracket you choose, the sponsons already push the kicker out almost a foot further than the transom, so the angle already is extreme.  Then, you add the extra length of the bracket and it gets really out there. The EZSteer is not happy with those extremes, especially when the kicker motor is raised.  I had to go with the XL EZSteer rod to cope with that, and it's not perfect by any sense.
Ideally, the kicker bracket would be as close to the sponson as possible to minimize the offset.  There is a manufacturer in Oregon I believe that makes a bracket that is much closer, but then you have to deal with the angle of your tiller clearing the sponson.
I have one of the early (#2) SaltBoss brackets and it has powercoat problems.  It is corroding off the bracket over a significant area.  However, I do moor my boat in saltwater and that may make a difference.  Brook is working on solutions for the powdercoat and for how to remove the bracket that is already installed with 5200 so it doesn't do damage to the gelcoat when it is removed.  He is planning on repairing the issue on my boat.  If you moor your boat you'll want to ask him about whether he recommends the powercoat for that application.

Re: the powder coat issues... the natural oxidation that aluminum gets in the presence of saltwater is the toughest, longest lasting protection by far.  Unfortunately, it looks grungy, but it really is the toughest finish you can have on it.

X2 on the troll master . Won't own a 4 stroke kicker with out it. They take the speed control frustrations out of the equation.

  H-T