Panther T5 Through Tilt Tube Electro Steer Saltwater

The Panther T5 Through Tilt Tube Electro Steer is the auxiliary outboard steering actuator that solves a specific problem: how do you steer a kicker motor remotely from the main helm position? Kicker motors are auxiliary outboards (typically 6 to 15 horsepower) mounted on the transom next to the main propulsion outboard, used for low-speed trolling presentations that the main outboard can't run smoothly. Without a remote steering system, the kicker must be steered by physically turning its tiller - which means an operator at the transom or some kind of mechanical linkage from the helm. Neither solution is ideal. The Panther T5 (paired with a Trollmaster controller, sold separately) provides true electronic steering control of the kicker from anywhere on the boat.

What the "NE - No Electronics" designation means. This T5 variant ships without the control electronics that would make it a stand-alone system. Instead, it's designed to pair with a Panther Trollmaster controller (separate purchase) which provides the user interface (control panel buttons, joystick, etc.), the speed control commands, and the steering logic. The T5 itself is the physical actuator that receives commands from the Trollmaster and moves the kicker accordingly. This split-architecture approach gives boat owners flexibility: pair the T5 with whichever Trollmaster model fits their needs and budget, or upgrade the controller later without replacing the actuator. If you want a stand-alone Electro Steer with built-in electronics (no separate Trollmaster required), the equivalent part number 550503 (without the NE suffix) is the right pick.

The through-tilt-tube install design - why it matters. Traditional kicker steering systems require either drilling new mounting holes in the boat's transom (permanent modification with sealing concerns) or sourcing custom mounting brackets (expensive, model-specific, and often poorly fitting). The T5's through-tilt-tube design attaches to the kicker motor through the OEM threaded tilt tube that's already part of the outboard's transom mount. No drilling. No permanent modifications. No custom brackets. The T5 effectively converts the existing tilt tube into the steering mechanism's mounting point.

Install simplicity. Total install time is minutes rather than hours. The basic procedure: remove the OEM tilt tube hardware, slide the T5's mounting components through the tilt tube, secure with the included hardware. The kicker's tilt and trim functions remain unaffected - you can still tilt the kicker up out of the water for storage or trailering. The steering actuator's force is applied at the tilt tube which is the natural pivot point for kicker steering, so the steering action is smooth and natural.

4 inches of clearance between engines. The T5 requires only 4 inches of horizontal clearance between the main engine and the kicker motor for installation. Most trolling-rigged boats already have this spacing or more - the kicker is typically mounted just outboard of the main outboard with at least a few inches of breathing room for service access. Boats with very tight transom layouts (multi-engine sportfish with kickers crammed into limited transom space) should verify clearance before purchasing.

Saltwater-rated construction. The T5 is engineered for saltwater service - all hardware is stainless steel (or another corrosion-resistant material), the actuator housing is sealed against salt-air corrosion, the moving parts use marine-grade lubrication appropriate for saltwater immersion exposure, and the electrical connections (for the cable to the Trollmaster) use sealed waterproof connectors. The freshwater-rated version of this actuator would corrode quickly in saltwater service, but the saltwater variant holds up for years of inshore and offshore use.

How it pairs with the Trollmaster controller. The Trollmaster control system (sold separately, multiple model variants available) provides the user-facing controls and the command logic. Typical Trollmaster install: the controller mounts at the helm (or wherever the operator wants to control the kicker from), the T5 attaches to the kicker, a wiring harness connects the two. Operator commands at the controller (turn left, turn right, speed up, speed down, throttle adjust if the Trollmaster also controls throttle) translate into commands to the T5 which physically moves the kicker. Modern Trollmaster systems also typically integrate with the main engine controls so you can run the main engine and kicker independently from one control point.

Why kicker steering remote control matters for fishing. Trolling fishermen working salmon, walleye, kingfish, tuna, or other species often run the kicker motor at low RPM to produce gentle trolling speeds. Without remote steering, course changes during the troll require either an operator at the transom or imprecise mechanical steering linkages. With a properly installed T5 + Trollmaster system, the helmsman can fine-tune kicker direction from the helm while watching sonar, working downrigger releases, or operating planer boards - all of which are interrupted if you have to walk back to the kicker to steer.

Compatible kickers and engine sizes. The T5 is designed for typical recreational kicker motors in the 6 to 15 horsepower range with standard tilt tube dimensions. Verify your specific kicker's tilt tube dimensions against the T5's compatibility chart before purchase. Most major outboard brands (the standard kicker manufacturers) use compatible tilt tube designs, but unusual or older outboards may have different tube dimensions.

All hardware included. The T5 ships with all the mounting hardware required for the through-tilt-tube install - bolts, washers, spacers, and any specialized components needed. You don't need to source additional hardware beyond what's in the box. The Trollmaster controller (when purchased separately) ships with its own mounting hardware for the helm install.

Built by Panther Products, the dominant US manufacturer of auxiliary outboard mounting and accessory products. Field reliability on Panther's kicker steering systems is well-regarded across the trolling community - the company has been refining these products for years based on real-world saltwater and freshwater feedback. Replacement parts and warranty service are reliable through Panther's authorized dealer network.