kicker motor

[lauriee15]

I am a new boater and I was told to get a kicker motor incase my motor breaks down......What kind should I get??? electric, gas, what hp???<br /><br />thanks <br />laurie

 

[brother chris]

Re: kicker motor

Depends on what kind of boat you have, and also where you boat. Also depends on what kind of motor you have now. You feel safe with it? Will it konk out when you are boating? <br /> I think a safe bet for up to a 20' boat would be 9.9-15hp would do. I have a 26' with a 25hp kicker on it, but I am going out in the Pacific Ocean, so I need power just in case.

 

[sloopy]

Re: kicker motor

you want a gas, if your havving trouble running out of fuel you can't bug some battery joice off a passer by, what type of boating do you do? you only need it if you are going offshore (30+miles)<br /><br />try to get your hands on an ole 3horse evinrude, they are very dependible

 

[lauriee15]

Re: kicker motor

thanks for the advice....I have a 24' 1989 marathon<br />(just bought it...myself and 2 friends) since the 3 of us are girls we thought we would need a kicker motor in case we break down<br /><br />Laurie

 

[sloopy]

Re: kicker motor

OW would you like a 3hp evinrude just kidding, what type of boating do you plan to do? since most boats have men on them, if you break down I think will get a tow quick! just my opinion

 

[brother chris]

Re: kicker motor

I think if you are lake boating/cruising, a 15-20hp should do it. If it is just for emergencies and getting you back to shore if the other one dies out. 15-20hp is fine. <br />

 

[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 too 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. Also shaft length is important if the sea is sloopy, woops, sloppy a short shaft motor gets dunked a bit. Not a good thing.

 

[lauriee15]

Re: kicker motor

thanks again guys....so you think if we have our bikins on and we break down, we can just get a tow ?!? LOL <br />saves on buying a kicker motor !!..he..he <br /><br />what kind of boating our we planning?<br />well, we plan on some lite fishing, tanning, a little drinking, ride around, ect. <br /><br />me<br />Laurie

 

[sloopy]

Re: kicker motor

PLEASE dont BUI!!!!! as long as the motor is in good shape you don't need a kicker, unless you are heading way out into the ocean never leave the dock if you do not feel that the motor is up to it for that day! <br /><br />HAppy boating

 

[sloopy]

Re: kicker motor

but if you are in salt water, invest in a GPS and VHF radio that way you can call us guys for help

 

[sfels]

Re: kicker motor

Let's not forget another good reason for a kicker, trolling. I use mine whenever I'm trolling using a planer board or a downrigger. Since it's also my "emergency" motor as well, I always start it up and test it before leaving the dock.

 

[Outrage 19]

Re: kicker motor

Having a kicker as a backup is the best reason for getting one in my opinion. If you are in the bay or one of its tributaries you will want to get the max hp for the mount it will be on to accommodate for tide changes. Try to find the same brand as the main engine on your boat. Most of the time you can just move the fuel line from one to the other when you want to use the kicker, unless one is VRO and the other one premix. So where will you be boating?

 

[lauriee15]

Re: kicker motor

another question about a kicker motor??<br /><br />if I get like a 50 hp or 60 hp (and it is heavy) an put it on the right or left side of the boat will it weight that side down? <br /><br />(I hope that wasn't a stupid question) <br /><br />me<br />Laurie

 

[Outrage 19]

Re: kicker motor

Yes. Plus the extra weight will limit the amount of weight you can put in the boat.

 

[sloopy]

Re: kicker motor

you only need like 6 or 10 hp evin less!!!!!! 60 YIKES!!!!!!!!

 

[plywoody]

Re: kicker motor

You never said where you will be boating. Assuming you are not going offshore extreme distances, the 9.9 or 15 is all the kicker motor you will ever need. Any bigger is too much to handle, and while it may take a little time, it will get you back to port in case of an unexpected breakdown, which is all you really need it to do.<br />Plus they are perfect for slow trolling if you fish that way--<br /><br />If I were you, if your main power uses mixed gas, get one that also uses mixed gas. If you have an oil injector (VRO) and only put regular gas in the tank, get something like a 4 stroke Honda that also uses regular gas, so you can use the main fuel supply and not hassle with a separate tank for the kicker.<br /><br />Just my 2 cents, and happy boating<br /><br />John W

 

[wilde1j]

Re: kicker motor

Unless your second motor can plane the boat, you're not going to go any faster than what is known as "hull speed", which for most boats is ~ 6.5 to 7 mph and is a limiting speed until you begin to plane. That's why large sailboats almost always have small aux. engines. Anything more than ~ 15 HP is a waste (both money and weight).