R-23 New Kicker Motor Setup and Install

[curtisgeiger]

I have a 2023 R-23 with a factory installed kicker motor mount.

I also have a brand new 25HP Yamaha long shaft looking for a good home.

Would like to put the 25HP on the boat - but not sure what the best course of action is for steering controls.

I sure wish I could take advantage of the Garmin autopilot already on the boat.

Should I use a tie bar to the F200 or spend $$ for an electric steering kit, or is there another option?

Curt

 

[Akboaters]

I’m just glad to hear other thoughts on the remote steering as our first (and only so far) experience was quite comical. You have to constantly adjust your heading. We turned the remote over to our teen son to operate and thought he was just messing around, ha! Will look into the above Garmin suggestion, thanks!

 

[Akboaters]

I’m just glad to hear other thoughts on the remote steering as our first (and only so far) experience was quite comical. You have to constantly adjust your heading. We turned the remote over to our teen son to operate and thought he was just messing around, ha! Will look into the above Garmin suggestion, thanks!

And I meant to reply on the other thread, sorry!

 

[Hamster]

Curt - seeing that you already have autopilot, I’d recommend you contact Garmin Support and see if there is a way to tie the kicker into it. You will need the kicker actuator and probably ECU, but it seems like the autopilot system is already in place. I’d love to hear the answer as maybe I’d add it to my Main.

BTW - I just got back fishing for salmon on the west coast of Vancouver Island and having GPS set your trolling course in waves and swells is a dream compared to Panther remote.

 

[curtisgeiger]

Curt - seeing that you already have autopilot, I’d recommend you contact Garmin Support and see if there is a way to tie the kicker into it. You will need the kicker actuator and probably ECU, but it seems like the autopilot system is already in place. I’d love to hear the answer as maybe I’d add it to my Main.

BTW - I just got back fishing for salmon on the west coast of Vancouver Island and having GPS set your trolling course in waves and swells is a dream compared to Panther remote.

Thanks for the response.

I really don’t want to be the first R-23 owner to install a kicker motor and have it somehow utilize the existing Garmin autopilot.

I am hoping there is an R-23 owner that has already accomplished this.

 

[Hamster]

Thanks for the response.

I really don’t want to be the first R-23 owner to install a kicker motor and have it somehow utilize the existing Garmin autopilot.

I am hoping there is an R-23 owner that has already accomplished this.

Garmin serves other boat manufacturers. If it can be done, they’d tell you how. I can tell you that every time I set a route on my chart when using my main motor, the chart asks if I want to engage the autopilot. That tells me that part of my kicker autopilot is the same system as autopilot for the main motor.

 

[ixlr8]

When I talked with my dealer about putting a kicker on my 27OB. He said for several boats he has mounted the kicker in a fixed position and used the 300 as a rudder to steer the boat. He claimed it worked good but I never talked to anybody who had it done that way. IF it did work, it would be a simple way to get autopilot to work with a kicker. I never put a kicker on my boat so I didn't try it.

 

[curtisgeiger]

When I talked with my dealer about putting a kicker on my 27OB. He said for several boats he has mounted the kicker in a fixed position and used the 300 as a rudder to steer the boat. He claimed it worked good but I never talked to anybody who had it done that way. IF it did work, it would be a simple way to get autopilot to work with a kicker. I never put a kicker on my boat so I didn't try it.

I will try this and report back on how well it works

 

[curtisgeiger]

Ok I have the kicker motor “sitting” on the swim platform motor mount.

The pre-drilled spaces for the kicker motor screw clamps do not line up.

What is the best course of action?

 

[watson1987]

I would take the bracket off, lay it flat, fill the existing holes with epoxy, and then re-drill

 

[Hamster]

Curtis, before you drill new holes, I hope you research whether adding a 25HP to the swim platform will affect you getting out of the hole and up on plane. Many, many R23 owners with the 200HP have struggled with this, changing out props and adding drop fins. The added weight of a 25HP vs 9.9HP could make the difference for you. My 9.9HP, BTW, works great on my R23.

 

[az9133bm]

We installed a 6 HP kicker with a dual use as propulsion for our tender. 6 HP has been suitable for us and propels our R23 at over 4 kts. We do keep the main motor down and steer at the helm station. In our experience, our Auto Pilot will not function with the main motor off.

Forespar Motor Mate Detail

• az9133bm
• Oct 5, 2019

Motor Mate on Platform

We use a Forespar Motor Mate to assist in transition from platform to tender.

Ready to Transition

• az9133bm
• Oct 6, 2019

Easy to make the transition. Calm water is best!

Deck Socket for Forespar Motor Mate

• az9133bm
• May 2, 2019

Deck socket for Forespar Motor Mate

Our 2017 R23 is an early production boat that required a fabricated stainless steel bracket that we purchased directly from Fluid Motion.

Job Done.

• az9133bm
• Mar 2, 2019

Completed installation.

We would be concerned about the extra weight. Even with our 6HP, there is a noticeable list to port

Adrift

• az9133bm
• Apr 19, 2019

Near Apache Dam

 

[curtisgeiger]

I am glad to report that my 25HP kicker is installed. The main motor functions as a rudder using the autopilot perfectly. I am also able to get up on plane with no issues. Big thanks to Submariner for the idea.

Curt

 

[Robert]

We have an R23 on order with the kicker bracket only. How is fuel connected to a kicker? Is the fuel line detached from the 200 HP and reattached to the kicker or is a separate source required?
Thanks
Bob

 

[curtisgeiger]

We have an R23 on order with the kicker bracket only. How is fuel connected to a kicker? Is the fuel line detached from the 200 HP and reattached to the kicker or is a separate source required?
Thanks
Bob

I have the fuel line connected to a separate 3-gallon portable tank going over the transom for now. I like the idea of a redundant fuel source - but may add a line from the main tank to the kicker later on. Good question.