I've never owned a boat without back up power

[harry ames]

Has anyone added a kicker motor bracket to an R21 o3 EC? It looks like it could be done relatively easily. I've done the search function on the forum and don't see anything. I'd like to add a small kicker, Honda 5hp or the like. I'm really proficient at carrying needed spare parts to get the primary motor running on my boats, and have only had a couple of occasions to need to fire up a back up motor quickly, but i did have those occasions. I know the small diesels are pretty reliable, but.

 

[LAKERtoo]

Hi Harry .. I have a 2005 R21 Classic. I'm going to be adding an "outboard pod" to the boat in the next few months. I was lucking enough to find a guy locally that helped install one on 2 different boats and has the pattern for the bits and pieces .. I want the security of a back up motor when you're 20-30 miles away and there is little traffic around. I know the diesel is reliable, but if you can't find the problem, don't have the right spare etc, you aren't going anywhere .. This one will handle a 9.9 electric start, power tilt with remote steering . If you contact me , I'll send you photos of what I have .. Cheers Rob

 

[knotflying]

Not sure what services area available out your way, but you can buy quite a few years of towing insurance for the cost of a good kicker.

 

[Kenaithab]

At the Seattle Boat Show Andrew showed me a very slick two piece low profile kicker bracket that mounts easily onto the swim step. I think it would fill your needs perfectly. I don't remember the name of the mount but Andrew could tell you. I too want to be able to mount a kicker on the swim step for trolling and backup power. Since the swim step is so low, I am hoping that a short shaft outboard can serve both as a kicker and my inflatable outboard. Does anyone know if a short shaft can be used as a kicker mounted on the swim step?

 

[jld]

At the Seattle Boat Show Andrew showed me a very slick two piece low profile kicker bracket that mounts easily onto the swim step. I think it would fill your needs perfectly. I don't remember the name of the mount but Andrew could tell you. I too want to be able to mount a kicker on the swim step for trolling and backup power. Since the swim step is so low, I am hoping that a short shaft outboard can serve both as a kicker and my inflatable outboard. Does anyone know if a short shaft can be used as a kicker mounted on the swim step?

Maybe it was this one from the Ranger website photos of the new R23?

http://www.rangertugs.com/Userfiles/Boa ... 850--N.jpg

Jim

 

[harry ames]

Not sure what services area available out your way, but you can buy quite a few years of towing insurance for the cost of a good kicker.

Already own 3 kickers, so I'm good with adding one. Lake Powell is very dicey when it comes to contacting towing services. Few of us hang out in the main channels with good line of sight to NPS or Aramark who provide towing. If you are several miles up a side canyon, the best places on the lake, then you need to get out of the canyon to get services. So, a kicker is pretty important for that location. I do have towing through boat U.S. Your point is well taken for anything coastal. But I'm one of those people who wont ask for directions when I'm lost and would rather suffer terrible conditions than to ask for help because my one engine is dead. Not rational, I know, but it is the way I am.

 

[Red Raven]

I have the (Bolton) bracket discussed above on our R27 for this purpose. Our short shaft Yamaha 6hp dinghy motor is also our get to safety motor for the tug. I'm the same when it comes to not being comfortable without a backup. There are pictures of the set up in our gallery.

However, I'm not sure how functional it would really be if needed. I have never had to use it for the this purpose as our Volvo D3 has been totally reliable. 6hp is pretty small to push the R27 any significant distance. If there were any wind or current it would be pretty useless. None the less, it makes me feel better to know I have the option to "try" to maneuver to someplace I can temporarily anchor until the tow boat arrives.

Note that even without the bracket if you have a dinghy and motor you could secure the dinghy to the tug and use it to do the same thing. In my case I need to drop the dinghy anyway to use the Bolton bracket on the swim step.

Of course a 5 or 6hp would be much more effective on the R21.

Curt

 

[Commander Ed]

See my previous posting (with pictures) of my "kicker" solution.

 

[Charlesdykman]

About 6 months ago, I was looking for something, and one of the marine companies, I think, had a bracket which installed on the swim platform, permitting a small outboard to be attached. I can't remember the company. Honeybear. WI

 

[stwendl]

So how would one actually control an outboard mounted there while at the steering station win only me person on board? I would think side tying a dingy would work better.

 

[SGIDAVE]

See my previous posting (with pictures) of my "kicker" solution.

HEllo Ed,

Can you share the source for your swim step kicker bracket?

Thanks!

dave

 

[SGIDAVE]

So how would one actually control an outboard mounted there while at the steering station win only me person on board? I would think side tying a dingy would work better.

Using the helm as normal will work fine (leaving the kicker at fixed throttle setting and "straight ahead" thrust position).

If you are using your back up propulsion due to damage to BOTH the prop/rudder, then a simple tiller extension will allow you to control the kicker's throttle and turn angle whilst remaining in the relative safety of the cockpit. The extensions come in either a 'fixed' length or a telescopic version - like this

dave

 

[LADYBUG TOO]

Somehow when I look at all of the single engine airplanes flying around, I just don't get too concerned about not having back-up power on Ladybug, Too. I have a good anchor and I have had to use it more than once. I also pay my Tow Boat US policy up on time every time. That being said, it would be nice if ......

Pat
Ladybug, Too

 

[harry ames]

Boat goes into the shop next week for a custom built port side stern kicker mount. Pix will be along after that. It will cost a bundle, but the shop techs are OCD about how these things are mounted and braced.

 

[xboss]

Can I ask what length kicker you went with? I'm almost thinking 20" would be just right...


Thanks

 

[cracker39]

I know that this is an old post but I posted pictures of the outboard transom I installed on my ‘92 R21 Classic. it’s rated for up to 15 hp but the trolling motor is more than adequate to take me home or to safety, short of strong currents or heavy seas. The thickness of the stern fiberglass on this little tug, plus a 1/2” backing plate I used, would probably permit the tug to be lifted out of the water hanging from the outboard bracket! They are rugged little boats.