Kicker Motor questions

[David Kraus]

I'm thinking of installing a kicker motor on my 23ft Uniflite. Can I install it to my teak swim platform? Is 9.9HP enough to move the boat? Where do I put the gas tank when not in use? Can you store it in bilge or can it stay on the swim platform (in the sun)?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Kicker Motor questions

If the kicker uses the same fuel as the big engine, plumb its fuel line into the main tank and forget the portable. Problem #1 solved. As for a 9.9 being able to move a 23 footer, it all depends on how fast you want to go. Small engines push very large sail boats so it should work fine. As for mounting the engine to a swim platform, that would depend on how sturdy the platform is.

 

[Don Colbacchini]

Re: Kicker Motor questions

I have a 9.9 kicker on my 21 foot Fibercraft. I'd say it pushes it at 7 to 8 mph(someday I'll check with my GPS). It's fine for me. About as fast as I would get towed anyway. I've never had to use it but I feel so much better having 2 engines. Both of my engines are OMC and have the same fuel connection so I just plug the boats main line into the kicker. I carry a 3 gallon outboard fuel tank with a seperate fuel line so I have a completely independent power system to get home. Also, to steer I point the kicker forward, then set the throttle and steer with the big motor as a rudder. Works fine. I can't imagine a swim platform being strong enough to hold a kicker. I moved my swim platform to the starboard side(steering and throttle cables are on that side but are not in the way) and mount the kicker right on my transom next to the big engine. Just enough room.

 

[David Kraus]

Re: Kicker Motor questions

My main engine is an OMC sterndrive and the kicker would most likely be a 2-stroke so I will need a seperate tank. Where can I keep it?

 

[wmvoss]

Re: Kicker Motor questions

In case your interested I found a high thrust motor bracket at adventuremarine.net that can be mounted on a swim platform made out of anodized aluminum and powder coated with a similar backing plate for up to 140# motor. Not cheap, but of high quality and works great for my application. I looked around for months before I found this.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Kicker Motor questions

I had (and used) a 9.9 on a transom platform on an I/O powered 27'er and it worked just fine. I still have the 9.9 (1975 edition). I liked it better than the boat.