Kicker

[Sean]

I know the genreal topic has been covered from head to toe, but what are the thoughts of putting a kicker on a boat, V of coarse, with a 20' transom?
90% of my fishing is done out front and I do get my fare share of water in the splash well why drifting, and specialy wile anchored up. On a flat day, the back of my well is only a few inches out of the water, how much more will a kicker drop the transom??
I wont to gain more opertunitys with the kicker, not fewer.
As always, thanks for your advise/outlooks! ;D
Sean

[willy]

Sean, I know on my old V a 9.9 2 stroke kicker and a kicker bracket rated to a 125 lbs. engine did not affect the ride height at all.
But when a boat gets bobbing in a wake or wave situation every extra pound tends to slow its reaction time to return with the rise and fall of the water. Trim tabs left deployed while drifting will also do the same thing.
Have you considered doing a weight shifting program to her, relocating batteries etc. May more than compensate for a small kicker.

[Sean]

I actually been thinking the same thing. Moving the batterys ( I need to add a second battery) to the mid well and even going to the extent of adding additional wieght to the bow. *But now I do not know how that will effect the ride. Im not trying to win any races, but I need to rely on the boat in ruff situations. I need her to be a fishin machine!@!! ;D

[willy]

Shifting the weightof a battery forward and especially if you are going to add another I would recommend.
Sean I had a real nice CC Robalo that had the exact problem you are having, was not cut as low as your notch but had less buoyancy and max HP (heavy engine) and every bob up and down put water splashing onto the floor. It would drain out but not the best set up.
Consider
1. shifting weight forward
2. installing a lighter weight motor
3. redoing the transom, either as a 25" notch
or better yet
4. Close the notch and install a bracket

JMHO been there and done that and won't ever again ;)

[Blue_Runner]

Kicker? I just met her!

Seriously, what you need to do is get yourself a 125 lb super model. Have her sit on which ever corner you plan on putting the kicker. Then proceed up into the skinniest water you can find and get stranded for days and days......and days........and nights....and mornings.......and afternoons...........and...... ;D

[reelapeelin]

Sean...look thru this Gallery at what Emmet Fitzpatrick did...you'll see a barrier fixed onto the front of his splashwell that prevents water from coming into the boat...will stop it in the splashwell...I've cut a similar piece for mine, but haven't finsished installation...this may be something for your consideration...

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=album06&page=1

look thru the entire Gallery, there are several shots from several angles...hope this helps :D ...

[Sean]

Willy, the more I think about it and reed your post, the less a good idea it is.. I can slow the boat down for trolling by trimming up the engine and tossing over two 5gallon buckets, and the piece of mind of the kicker if the main engine goes will be replaced by the anxiety that the hull will flood.
I would love to block off the transom and add a bracket, and I think I am going to shift some weight forward anyways for some peace of mind.
Reel, The barrier @ the splash well is a good idea, but my bilge hatch is in my splash well, and that is what I am mainly worried about flooding.
I’m sure I will find something else to spend all this money I don’t have on. ::)
Hmmm, now I will have to figure out how much work it intales to move the batterie and add a second :P