Best choices for kicker motors?

[ShoestringMariner]

I’m searching for a 4-6 hp kicker for my 16’ aluminum boat. My budget is tight so I’m thinking my price range will get me into something from the 80’s.

Any clear winners out there and duds to steer clear of?

shaft length unimportant (I think) as im planning on using a kicker mount.

I have some small OMC motors from the 50’s but they are gross polluters and I don’t want to run them.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Tohatsu or Seanovo?

Or I might consider really cheap new brands

 

[82rude]

Use a full synth oil with your 50,s motors .Or you could use g-oil which is full synth made out of bio based additives with cow tallow also and is very envrio friendly.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Use a full synth oil with your 50,s motors .Or you could use g-oil which is full synth made out of bio based additives with cow tallow also and is very envrio friendly.

Thanks, I do run synth (amzoil). Tried a bio mix but didn’t like it because it didn’t dilute well. That and it has no colour so looks like straight gas. Open to suggestions on brands you prefer

 

[Sea Rider]

The only cheap outboards are the chinese ones, buy new and use as anchors soon afterwords. A good kicker is any 2 strokes 9.8 HP outboards such as Tohatsu, Merc, Yam not precisely in that order. Weight and CC powerheads are same as their 6-8 HP younger brothers.

Happy Boating

 

[flyingscott]

The 5/6/7.5/8 hp motors from omc make great kicker motors. Since they were made for a long time parts are very available.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

The 5/6/7.5/8 hp motors from omc make great kicker motors. Since they were made for a long time parts are very available.

Thanks. From the 80-90’s?

 

[Sea Rider]

Personally wouldn't dare going that old with OMC brand, better look for newer models in those suggested brand HP range.

Happy Boating

 

[alanfox55]

I have a 72 Johnson 6 hp I wouldn't hesitate to use as a kicker. That motor is very strong running and very reliable that always starts on the first pull. As I understand those OMC motors have built a strong reputation of reliability over the years.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Personally wouldn't dare going that old with OMC brand, better look for newer models in those suggested brand HP range.

Happy Boating

The 50’s motors, or 70’s/80’s?

or all the above?

 

[dingbat]

The 50’s motors, or 70’s/80’s?

or all the above?

All of the above.

A 1980 motor is soon to be 40 years old. Long term parts availability will be if not already an issue for a motor used on regular basis.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

All of the above.

A 1980 motor is soon to be 40 years old. Long term parts availability will be if not already an issue for a motor used on regular basis.

Thanks. I agree, it is quite old but my budget is small. I’m not willing to buy new for a toy that gets used randomly, and the pool of available motors are mostly pre-90’s.

So I’m searching for the old die hard motors that will serve both my use and preferred budget