Re: How did Glastron expect to put a kicker motor on this one?
It seems that a lot of participants in this forum are fixated on kicker motors, primarily as a safety back-up for the primary motor. As an experienced boater in a heavily boated area, I can tell you, that is not how most people think. A person new to boating, generally, who looks to this forum for education, will get the wrong impression.*
I've seen too many posts here where a newbie seems to equate a kicker with an anchor, running lights and PFD's. Better to first get a paddle, which can be deployed in the water for propulsion or in the air to summon a tow.
If the story above about the 12' jon boat being stranded is supposed to "prove" the necessity of a kicker, well, just stop and think about it a minute.
If the story about the people swimming away from their disabled boat is supposed to prove the necessity for a kicker, you got the wrong message. You do not swim away from a disabled boat in almost all circumstances.
Haulnazz got it right; 99% of boaters don't "need" one. As others said, their primary function is for fishing. The back up feature is a bonus.
The people who boat alone offshore, or in remote wilderness, and need the back-up, are the 1%. Well, maybe those with crappy primary motors, too.
*He will also think the primary definition of "boat" is a i/o bowrider sofaboat that is kept on a trailer, covered. Tain't so.