Kicker steering link systems. Opinions?

[Matt]

I bought my first boat this winter, a 16' Starcraft side console with a 65 hp Merc. I recently upgraded with a 4.5hp Johnson kicker that I got for a screamin' deal off of an acquaintance and want to install a steering link system from the main to the kicker so I can steer from the helm whilst trolling. I have been looking around and the only system I have experience with is the E-Z steer kit, and HOTTDAMN its expensive! I was wondering if any of you have used other link kits on your kickers? It seems a tidbit silly to pay more for the link system (E-Z steer) than I did for the kicker itself. Also, the distance between the kicker and the main motor is very close.... any way to jerry rig/produce a link system from the hardware store and intuition?

Opinions?

Matt

[Anonymous]

Hey Matt,

I had a setup similar to this on my last boat and it worked just fine:

Goldeneye Auxiliary Motor Link Steering Connector Kit

The cost is $29.97

Here's a link:
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/g ... x?a=422683

Here's a photo:

[mav186]

Hey Matt,
I had the EZ Steer on my 17' for years and it worked excellent, and currently using a Panther Bar. My opinion is that no matter what you end up with...as long as it works for you...it's worth it's weight in gold! I will NEVER be without one again!
Mav

[Gisteppo]

Stainless steel dowel, two 90 degree ball ends, two ball cups, threaded for nuts, a little bit of threaded stainless rod, and some hose clamps will have you in business.

E

[swedefish4life1]

Panther , TR1 Gold full remote and many others all have a few flaws and where do you want to be in the boat and $$$$ spent????

If its at the helm not by the rods the manual hook on systems will be fine if you want more TRI Gold but its almost$ 2,700 with install and labor!

Which is the costs of any New kicker motor#-o

Like all tubs options that link what you press:-$

[Matt]

If its at the helm not by the rods the manual hook on systems will be fine if you want more TRI Gold but its almost$ 2,700 with install and labor!

Not to mention more than the 1976 16' Starcraft is worth altogether!

Thanks for the input so far guys.

[saltyseadog]

matt that pic of you and the salmon looks like the samish river combat fishin at its best

[swedefish4life1]

Salty good EYE:-$ I thought the same:cyclopsan

[river rat]

I've made linkage units with 3/8's all-thread and coupler nuts. The all-thread can be carefully bent into almost any shape and the coupler nuts make for semi quick connections. My main Johnson motor already had a 3/8's threaded hole on the steering arm to insert a stud, and a clamp on my kicker's front handle holds the other 3/8s stud. You can also just bend a loop on the kicker end to slip over the steering arm. Slip hose over the all-thread to protect painted surfaces. I've also made remote steering units out of power window assemblies from the junkyards for less then $15. Good luck, MacGyver.

[Matt]

Har har. Eggs, no weight, outgoing tide.

Name this location and I'll give you a cookie! :

[blufin loui]

Hi ya Matt. I like cookies but have no clue to location.
I be a dunce when it comes to salmon fishing, so could you explain why the brain surgery.
Nice pic though. Thanks in advance for your reply.

[Matt]

I am currently going to school at WWU for fisheries management. Pic was taken during an internship with the NSEA. Pictured is the common technique used to remove otoliths from salmonid species (and other fish species). Otoliths are a small pear shaped bone (inner ear bone) that accumulate concentric rings much like a tree throughout a fishes life. Studying otoliths can give insight into life history patters such as amount of time spent in freshwater, the amount of time taken for smoltification, the amount of time the fish spent in saltwater, and how long a fish spends in the river once it returns (also when the fish re-enters freshwater).

Cool stuff!:bounce:

[Big D]

Hey Matt,
I kinda thought that's what you were doing although I didn't know you could pull that much info out of a fish ear bone.
Thanks for the biology lesson.