Advice requested - small kicker motor

[rdmcphe]

I am looking for a kicker motor for my 15.5' fiberglass runabout. The main motor is a 50 hp Mercury (2 stroke 4 cylinder). I want the kicker for fishing and as a get home motor in case the 50 hp fails. <br /><br />I don't know the weight of the boat but it runs pretty well with the 50 hp. With 2 passengers it will go 24 knots at 5400 RPM.<br /><br />Since the kicker will not plane the hull I will be limited to hull speed I am thinking that a 5 hp 2 stroke would make sense. A 5 hp will be under 50 lbs and should push the boat at 4-5 knots. I am not too keen on 6-8 hp because they will add weight, will not plane the hull and will be a tight fit on the transom. I don't have room for a kicker bracket.<br /><br />I have been looking at a new 1998 5 hp 2 stroke (single cylinder) Johnson. It takes a 50:1 fuel - like the 50 hp Merc. The dealer wants US$710. <br /><br />Will the 5 hp Johnson work with my mercury tanks? <br />Do I need to rig up a special fuel line? <br />Is the 5 hp Johnson a good motor? <br /><br />I have also been looking at a 1980 4.5 hp Mercury. The asking price is $250. The motor is in pretty good shape. I have checked out parts availability at the http://www.mercurymarine.com. It looks like quite a few parts are still available. Mercury does not sell propellers for this outboard anymore (the prop that's on it is in good shape). Is there anywhare I can buy a spare prop for this motor? <br /><br />I am tempted to go with the 4.5 mercury if I can get it for $200 or so. <br /><br />Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.<br /><br />Thank you,<br />Russell McPherson

 

[Franki]

Re: Advice requested - small kicker motor

be careful with what you choose..<br /><br />I use a 6hp Chrystler and its only just strong enough to push 4 knots or so (its working hard to do it as well).. and if you get stuck somewhere with a current, you can almost forget about it.<br /><br />my boats a 17 foot cuddy cabin, and in future I won't chose less then a 9hp for a kicker.<br /><br />As for size, my Chrystler 6hp is tiny.. I can pick it up with two fingers and my boat has a very narrow transom and it still fits on the back with a 100HP V4 Johnson back there with it. (though its a very tight fit.)<br /><br /><br />just some thoughts, don't massively underpower your kicker, a current or a headwide will always make you regret it.<br /><br /><br />rgds<br /><br />Frank

 

[alcan]

Re: Advice requested - small kicker motor

I wouldn't waste my time or money on a kicker that small for a boat that size. You would be far better off to spend $250. on a good set of oars. You would save weight and get in shape at the same time.

 

[araiha]

Re: Advice requested - small kicker motor

On a boat that size, I think offcenter weight may be an issue, as well as added stern weight. Find something equivalent to the weight of the motor you are considering and with the boat in the water add the weight and how things go. Haven't seen your boat, but you may have to add a transom mount to the boat, which is a little more weight. The width of the transom may come into play as well. You need to have full range of motion for your motors without contact.<br /><br />My thought would be to pick a motor that runs on the same fuel (and mix) as your main propulsion. You can use the same fuel that way and save weight. Also gives you flexibility if you carry more than one tank and you get bad fuel.<br /><br />What I have done with my boat is to have an added hose for the kicker and put the same fitting on it that the tanks use. I run 2 Yamaha 90 hp non-oil injected motors (50:1) and a 8 hp long shaft nissan (50:1). They are all run off Johnson duratanks (plastic & came with the boat).<br /><br />For pure simplicity oars are hard to beat. My boat is 3000 empty and is manageable to row in light conditions (not easy but possible) and it requires 12 ft oars. Oars should be set so that they come within about 6 inches from each other in the boat and you can get good blade contact with the water. I am sure you could get by with 7- 7 1/2 foot oars (with oarlocks) for under $100.<br /><br />Good Luck

 

[SeaDawg]

Re: Advice requested - small kicker motor

I don't want to sound as blunt as alcan, but I agree with him. I would use the $250 to $750 to make sure my main motor and battery system was in top shape, and invest in a good VHF radio and GPS and anchor.<br /><br />I've towed in many a boat, and have never seen anyone left stranded with a boat your size. All they need to do it tell me where they are EXACTLY (with the VHF and GPS coordinates) and STAY THERE (with the anchor).<br /><br />Almost any other boat on the water is powerful enough to tow you in if needed.<br /><br />That's how I would spend my money.<br /><br />As far as the kicker engines, you would need to make up some kind of fuel hose, depending on what brand motor you purchased. <br /><br />All of the little 5 HPs sizes seem to be decent engines, since they have not changed much in many years.

 

[trevorcday]

Re: Advice requested - small kicker motor

All other considerations aside I would go for a 2 cylinder motor because they run so much smoother. I hate the racket the single cylinder motors make. They remind me of a lawnmower. And since a 6 weighs the same as a 9.9 why not get a 9.9?

 

[rdmcphe]

Re: Advice requested - small kicker motor

Thanks for all the advice to date. Here are a few points based on the advice to date.... <br /><br />As far as safety equipment I have a VHF radio, compass, GPS and a decent anchor with a 116 ft rode (100 ft of line and 16 ft of chain). <br /><br />If I get a kicker it must match the fuel of my 50 HP merc (50:1). This eliminates 4-strokes and the 100:1 2-strokes. I don't have the room for 3rd fuel tank (or its weight).<br /><br />I am located on Vancouver Island (in the Pacific Northwest - near Puget Sound). I will be using the boat for saltwater fishing (salmon mainly - fair weather only). <br /><br />With a single motor I am worried about fouling the prop while trolling. The 50 HP Merc trolls at about 2 knots with the throttle cut right back. Would idling this motor at 700 RPM for 2-3 hours be OK? I have heard that idling larger 2 strokes for long periods of time is bad for them.<br /><br />The tidal currents in these parts can be up to 4 knots (or closer to 6 knots near Race Rocks). I will have to be in mighty fine shape to row against a 4 knot current.<br /><br />I have been looking around and I have found another option. I have found a 78 Mercury 7.5 HP (2 cylinder) that looks to be in great shape. It is narrow (about 10 inches wide - it seems much smaller than current generation 6-8 hp outboards) and weighs about 70 lbs. The previous owner has fit it a stainless steel shroud around the prop for fishing. The shroud is like the kind you see on the newer high thrust 4 strokes. The asking price is US$350. <br /><br />As far as the suggestion about a the 9.9 - all the 9.9's I have seen are too wide. They seem to run about 12 inches wide. At 15.5' the boat is fairly small. As some have pointed out it may be considered too small for a kicker. If I were in fresh water with no tidal current considerations I would probably stick to oars and/or an electric trolling motor. <br /><br />The boat has a wide transom and very little room for a kicker bracket. There is enough room for a narrow motor beside the 50 horse while still allowing full range of motion on both motors.<br /><br />On the other hand.... maybe I should invest the money in a tuneup for the 50 HP Merc (which runs great by the way), a pair of oars (w/ oar locks) and another hundred feet of anchor rode. Between the VHF radio and a cell phone backup the Coast Guard Rescue boat will never be far away. <br /><br />Maybe there is another solution... a 50 LB thrust electric trolling motor and a 2nd deep cycle battery. If I use it for trolling I avoid idling the 50 hp for extended periods of time (or fouling the prop on the fishing line). This is cheaper, quieter and less weight. I will rely on the VHF radio if I ever need a tow home (I will still get that tune up for the 50 hp Merc and some extra line for the anchor rode).<br /><br />Thanks to all who have responded so far.<br /><br />Russell

 

[DJ]

Re: Advice requested - small kicker motor

If that 7.5 is as good as it sounds, it sounds like just the ticket. It will run at about 1/4 to 1/2 throttle and give you the same speed as your 50. Your 50 was a good idling engine.<br /><br />The 7.5 will use about 1/2 the gas of the 50 at troll speeds and give you some reassurance. The fuel fittings should be the same. You should be able to move some things around in the boat to balance it.<br /><br />Once you start using the 7.5 you can just point it straight and steer with the 50-using it like a rudder.<br /><br />I would DEFINETELY want to see the 7.5 run before I bought it and make sure it's pumping water.