kicker motor

[lauriee15]

I am a new boater and I have a 24 foot marathon with a V8 volvo motor .....well, I was told to get a kicker motor in case my motor breaks down....can anyone recommend what kind, hp, thrust,electric or gas????<br /><br />thanks !!!<br />Laurie

 

[Mike NZ]

Re: kicker motor

I had a 5 hp on a 19 footer. And when the day arrived to use it I was 5 miles from the harbour. That was the same day I learnt that 5 Hp is to small. Off it came and a 15 hp went on. I got three knots out of the 5 hp and 6.5 out of the 15 hp. I'd like even more but the bracket won't take it. Its a big help if both motors share the same fuel supply & type.

 

[Terry H]

Re: kicker motor

One more suggestion Lauriee...10-15 horse kicker mounted on transom with seperate fuel supply. You can always use the gas in main tank if you run out...and if you need to mix extra fuel for kicker carry some extra 2 stroke oil then you can always get back if you lose the main power no matter how far out you are. A 4 stroke kicker will allow you to do without 2 stroke oil...If you don't want to do a kicker stay close to shore...a Happy boater is a safe boater...a great pastime...just some Thoughts

 

[oldboat1]

Re: kicker motor

have a couple of kickers I use on my old 25' Chris Craft in the Magothy and out in the Bay -- a 9.9 and a 10hp, both electric start sailor models (extra long shaft). They are about 80 lbs, I think, and I use an adjustable mount that fits into a plate mounted on the transom. They work pretty well -- need to figure out what kind of steering system you want to use for the kicker, if any. (You might be able to control the boat using the main wheel. I wasn't able to with my inboard -- rudder is too small, I guess, and located ahead of the kicker motor.)

 

[Boatist]

Re: kicker motor

15 HP is about the limit if you are going to put it on a lift bracket. One very inportant thing for a 24 foot boat is to get a High Thrust Prop model. Today I would suggest a 4 cycle motor so you can use same fuel and not have to mix oil. Also run cleaner, do not smoke and are Quite. Out here on the West Coast the most popular motor right now is the Yamaha T8. Yamaha makes bigger heaver motors but most use the T8. Also Merc Big foot 15 or the Honda 15. all are good kicker motors. None of them will set any speed records but it will get you in from 20 miles out on 3 gallons of fuel. For stearing I would suggest "EZ Steer".