Prof T

this is the one I use. Hose clap to motor housing, hangs below, stows straight forward (watch your head while on trailer) https://leelock.com/product/lms-01-magnum-skeg/

I also run kicker for propulsion and bow mount, 80 lb Terrova with a big rudder to steer. I troll current and think the rudder provides a lot truer course with less course correction. Note that when using the autopilot feature, there are two modes. One lays down a virtual course. If you drift or are pushed off of it, the trolling motor will work to bring you back onto that "line" and then continue. Very choppy on a windy day. The other (on mine it's called Legacy") you lock in a direction only. If you drift or are pushed off of it, it maintains the direction only even if you are 30 ft to the side of your original plan. That's the one I use. Saves a lot of over correction.

I do the same on the St Lawrence, waves not the issue, but wind and current are. Consider adding a large rudder to your Minn Kota. It allows the motor to steer like a sailboat and not rely solely on thrust. I would be cautious in the heavy chop with the rudder. If the bow is slamming up and down hard, it could add a lot of stress. In normal conditions, boat tracks like an autopilot.

I went from a 1987 Evinrude 90 to a 2016 Merc 90.....same holes

JJ Congratulations on the new rig! I've done the trolling motor steering routine for some time now, both with the big motor for thrust as well as a kicker. My motors were locked together with the simple steering rod, aimed straight ahead with the helm, and held in place with a small bungie. You're going to love that Terrova. You can use its compass to head in a direction and it will maintain its track. Swing to the right a little and it hold it there. Hands free to do other things like set rods! Clip the remote right to my vest, always with me. Get the BIGGEST batteries you can fit, if you are near Syracuse there's a place called Battery World, think there's one in Binghamton too. I got group 31's there. Also essential is a marine charger like a Promariner or MinnKota to keep them topped off without overcharging. I plug mine in at the dock and forget about it until the next trip. Finally, I put a big rudder on mine. It allows the motor to steer like a sailboat, but from the front, without relying on motor thrust only. They are used a lot on Erie, not so much here. I deal with a lot of current in the river and it simplifies that a lot. T

To those following this post, the concern is drawing air back though the unused engine’s fuel source. That could result in a leaned out fuel mix in the primary engine. Lean mixtures burn HOT. Maybe even dangerously HOT. 15$ check valve in the supply line of the kicker is a worthwhile precaution.

Pretty cheap insurance https://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-marine--1-4-barbed-anti-siphon-valve--19682467?lsft=mrkgcl:481,mrkgadid:3312353867,cm_mmc:PS-_-Google-_-GSC>NonB>Product%20Type%20(LIA)-_-19682467,product_id:19682467,adpos:,creative:504966948626,device:m,matchtype:,network:g&gclsrc=aw.ds&gclid=CjwKCAjw8sCRBhA6EiwA6_IF4Top7pHpF_LaGjxCW85doe6d3DoWfmzTBsAAr57_QsfH98rNlIu_cRoCY-kQAvD_BwE

Sure, the primer bulb has check valves! Thanks guys.

That’s how I want to do it, clean install. Kicker is carburetored I guess it could allow an air bleed. Is there a check valve I could put in that line?

Thanks. Do you run a single inlet and pull each motor off individual outlets on the filter housing or a single outlet to a “y”?

New to me boat has a Merc 90 and 9.9 four strokes plumbed to the in floor tank. I’m a believer in fuel/water spin on filters. Does anyone run both motors downstream of a single filter?