I know you like the topic. I picked up a 2008 9.8 4 stroke tohatsu and will be placing it on my alumacraft 196. Both the main and tohatsu are 20" shafts. Thoughts on placement? Is it worth grabbing a kicker bracket?
That's a great motor.
Especially for the money.
Good job!!
My buddy Jeff has the same motor on both of his boats.
The one has over 1000 hrs easily without a hiccup.
I wouldn't put it on a bracket.
Put it out to the side of the main motor.
Brackets move the kicker out from the boat, making it harder to get to them when needed.
And they really don't need to have the prop below the hull to push you.
Here's a few photos of mine.
Both 20" shafts.