Kicker For 25' Sunray Cruiser

[capercanuck]

I want to get a kicker for my 25' Sunray Cruiser. It is solely for emergency, get back to dock purposes. It will not be used for fishing. I rarely venture farther than 2 miles off shore, basically for harbour and coastal trips. I am in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia Canada. We are an island in the North Atlantic. I don't go out in seas higher than 3'-4'. There are usually friendly ports and docks no more than 2 miles from any point on my trips. I am currently looking at an older 6hp evinrude, in good shape. Is this sufficient for the details I have just put forward? What about attachments for the transom of my boat? Does anyone have any information?<br />Thanks!

 

[Backlash]

Re: Kicker For 25' Sunray Cruiser

Just an opinion Capercanuck......but 6 hp seems a little weak for a 25 footer. I'd be looking at a 15hp minimum. There are many transom brackets available, some allow you to lower/raise the engine into/out of the water with minimal effort (recommended).<br />Happy cruising <br />Backlash

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Kicker For 25' Sunray Cruiser

I agree with Backlash. 2 miles can be a long way with a 6 HP pushing that sized boat, especially if a storm comes up. Go with at least a 15 if you are going to put it on a mount anyway.

 

[JB]

Re: Kicker For 25' Sunray Cruiser

Howdy Canuck.<br /><br />Make that three votes for 15 or more hp.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[Franki]

Re: Kicker For 25' Sunray Cruiser

Don't go with the 6HP.. I have a 6HP on my boat, which is an 18 foot halfcabin,, and its to small for that.<br /><br />unless the current is going with me, i hadly move faster then about 2knots.. if the current is agaist me,, I don't really move much at all...<br /><br />Still, its better then oars right?<br /><br />If it'll do two knots on my bost, you'll probably get less then 1 <br />2 miles at 2 knots doesn't require alot of explanation with regards to time involved.<br /><br />get a 15.. even an old one if need be, you'll be better off.<br /><br />rgds<br /><br />Franki

 

[oldboat1]

Re: Kicker For 25' Sunray Cruiser

I use an old Chrysler Sailor (10 hp) on my 25' Chris Craft -- also have an Evinrude 9.9 in the sailboat model (Yachtwin?). Both do the job, but I'm not out in the ocean. A 15 would be about the same weight, so would be a good choice for a little added safety. You should get the prop used on sailboat kickers -- also will want a long shaft model. Electric start is nice too, particularly if it keeps you in the boat when you are trying to fire up the kicker in three or four foot seas.

 

[capercanuck]

Re: Kicker For 25' Sunray Cruiser

Thanks for the rapid response, as always. Can anyone recommend any websites for the transom mounts for those kickers?<br />Thanks!

 

[DJ]

Re: Kicker For 25' Sunray Cruiser

capercanuk,<br /><br />There are some nifty ones in the Cabelas catalog. Some are even power lift.<br /><br />www.cabelas.com

 

[Valv]

Re: Kicker For 25' Sunray Cruiser

Capercanuck, I give you an example I had to live with:<br /><br />I had an old 19' big fiberglass boat with a 135hp Mercury and a 9.9 Chrysler, I went in vacation and next day big Merc quit, I was using the 9.9 to run around for 2 days. To travel 2 miles to fishing spot it was ranging between 45 to 60 minutes, full throttle, one way, and boat never even raised a wake. I ended up renting a 25hp from resort which did make an enormous difference pushing boat, but still no speed.<br /><br />Now I have a 26' SeaRay and I have a "spare" Mariner 30hp for emergencies, it will push boat ok.<br /><br />Don't get undersized, that is a big mistake, think about yourself and your family, no main motor a storm approaching a 6hp full throttle....you'll never make it, and if you do you'll be very lucky.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Kicker For 25' Sunray Cruiser

Capercanuck<br />I have a 15 hp long shaft on a 21 foot aluminum and wish I had a 25hp. Make sure to get the long shaft. Mine will get us in slowly but when the seas get in the 8 foot by 8 sec just not enough power to really be 100 percent safe.