Kicker motor or not?

[Gohot]

Here in North Carolina we have the Pee Dee river, and while theres a good bit of it here in North Carolina with fairly good size damed lakes, ultimatly it flows through South Carolina in a sometimes very serpentine manner. I'v discovered through casual conversation, that a couple times a year the big fun is to take the launch at Society Hill in South Carolina and go down the Pee Dee all the way to the Atlantic. Just guessing, I'd imagine it to be about 110-120 miles as the crow flies, but.... as the river flows.... probably double that. It does get really windy towards the ocean end, and really, a good deal along the way. Here's my question.... I have an older 17.5' Stingray bowrider with the mercruiser 3.0 and Alpha 1 outdrive. Now floating down this slow moving river, one would have to use poles I'd imagine, which by the way, wouldnt be too hard since there is bamboo all over the area here and there. But really, I'd rather have a kicker mount and a 2-5 hp motor to navigate downstream since the flow is already going to the sea. I'd guess the current in most of it is about anywhere from 2-5 miles an hour (don't know what that is in knots..lol) but you should begin to see the purpose of the kicker, as really minimal thrust , but more for steering. I'd like to do something like this rather than running the 3.0 motor as it consumes too much gas......well maybe not bad at just over idle. So any of you out there who might have tried this same method, I'd like to hear your comments and experiance, or from anyone really on navigating following the outgoing current of a river. Ultimatly.... I'd like to go above Kentucky and inter the Mississippi and take a float on down with an aging friend who loves boating. Though he hasn't had a boat for some 25 years, I'd like to treat him and I to the excursion of a lifetime just one more time before we both cash in. By the way, my Stingray is fully functional and in good to excelent shape with myself having just did the gimble bearing, seal and bellows a week ago. Nothing needs service or replacement on this boat..... .lol knock on wood....of course, or else, Murphy you know....

 

[ziemann]

Re: Kicker motor or not?

I can't think of any reason why you can make this work- sounds like a fantastic trip and alot of fun. I am jealous. With an IO on that boat, your biggest challenge will be figuring out how to mount that kicker. You will probably need a mounting plate and maybe a Panther Electro Steer for added convenience.

Keep in mind your boat is heavy and you are going to want a bit more HP than you think- maybe a 9.9 or an 8.

http://www.marinetechproducts.com/pages/PantherHOME

 

[Gohot]

Re: Kicker motor or not?

Now I'm getting somewhere, a baseline to start from. Yea themount is the folding jobs you see on ebay or at the Boat shops. Unfortunatly, all the boat shops are dying around here, I wish it weren't so, but it's the times. But your suggestion f 8-9 hp sounds more like what I probably need........ thanks zieman.............................Rich

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Kicker motor or not?

I don't get why you don't cruise down it instead of drifting. If you get a breeze coming up river you may not go anywhere. And poling a boat like that is not an option for a pleasure trip (for one reason, it will be too deep). And isn't a sustantial part of the end of the run, in a tidal estuary?

Not saying not to add the kicker, especially if you have long stretches of no wake (like we do in some canals around here). I suggest you get on the phone, or an internet forum, and talk to those who have done it before, or a ranger/fish cop who works the area.

And it does sound like fun, if you can get a little speed at least for a breeze to keep the bugs and mocassins off.