Kicker questions

[dicktaber]

Looking at buying a kicker for my 17' Nitro F&S (max placard weight about 1700#). What size do you use? I had a 5HP on my previous 17' Crestliner and it was better than rowing, but not much. I have a couple "project" Merc 7.5's that I might get around to one of these days and recently saw a "late 80's" 9.9 Rude for $500. What do you think about that?<br /><br />Also, can my big Black Max XR2 and the little blue-and-white motor peacefully coexist?<br />Any recommendations welcomed.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Kicker questions

hi.<br /><br />i have heard people use the 10% rule, but on your boat, a 15hp may be to bog. your not gonna get on plane with the kicker, so its only gonna move it so fast. maybe 5 mph at most perheaps, give or take<br /><br />a 9.9 would be a nice choice perhaps, but i too would be worried about putting that rude on the back next to your big ol merc<br /><br />id fix up that 7.5 and paint it to match the big merc

 

[roscoe]

Re: Kicker questions

9.9 should push you fine, IF it has the correct shaft length.<br /><br />You will have to measure, but I think you will need a long shaft (20"), or possibly even an extra long (25") to get the prop below the hull. This may limit your selection even more.<br /><br />I recently removed my kicker bracket, and 4hp motor, and am installing a 15hp long shaft without the bracket. Only adding about 15# of weight total, and the prop will be below the hull and easier to operate.

 

[dicktaber]

Re: Kicker questions

Thank you for keeping me from overlooking that part. I just bought a kicker bracket on eBay and I guess it would be a good idea to wait until it gets here, then figure out how/where it will mount on my boat and then determine shaft length. My hull sits fairly low in the water at rest, but there is a defined "belt line" that I will have to mount the kicker bracket above. Once again, thanks!