Kicker Strap

When do you guys strap down your kickers?

Running big motor? Trailering? Both?

New to this game.

Thanks.

Cold Front I’m assuming you have a Storm wheel boat? I had 2001 Storm Tiller sure miss that boat

That is exactly what I have too. Easy and it works! 2001 Yarcraft Storm still going strong. Mrt.

Older motors without power trim have a traditional shallow water drive manual lever to flip up and it locks in up position. However when under power in rough water or trailering, the rig will bounce or pound. We have all had an experience getting pounded in rough water right? Picture the kicker not being able to come down but it can travel up an inch or so. In that instance it “slams” up an inch or two then down on the trim pin. This can break or bend the pin. 

 “Strapping” refers to an aftermarket strap that is used when the motor is in the stowed position and straps the motor tight in stowed position. This eliminates the violent slam on the pin keeping the motor tight on the transom and not bouncing.

 However cumbersome at times to use, it is very helpful in not slamming the kicker while stowed or underway.

 I am not blessed with power trim for my 97 9.9 so this is the best solution for me while under power. I don’t strap while on the trailer because I use a transom saver on my kicker as well as my main motor. 

 I bent my pin the first year owning the kicker and repaired it. I now strap and it’s been at least 10 years with no issues. Just a pain to strap at times.

 That’s what “strapping” a motor is referring to.

My Kicker has a strap that tightens when I trim it all the way up. The motor travels that way all the time. I think it is a substitute for flipping down the bracket and having to reach way down there to release it when you want to lower the kicker to troll. It was on the boat when I bought it. Mrt.

The only time we ever did was when trailering but that was with an old motor that didn't have electric trim and it would not lock the trim properly.  It would want to bounce around.  Once we got a new one with electric trim we didn't do anything but trim it up or down.

Its really no different than having a small motor on a jon boat.  If anything its stronger since its on a bigger transom.  I never did anything with my small boats.

Have a boat with a kicker for the past 12 years. Can someone explain to me what is meant by strapping it down when in rough water or trailering? Never heard the term.

I just trim mine up when navigating and then on the motor brace when trailering.

I get what you mean. I strap mine when trailering or running rough H2o. However, you always have the times you forget or end up stopping to strap it down cuz u forgot or got lazy....

I'm not sure what you mean by "strap it down"