kicker size

[KJM]

I'm not sure if this is the right place for this question but I was wondering about kicker motors. Specifically i'm wondering what size hp I would need for a kicker on a 19.5 fiberglass boat with an I/O motor and drive? The boat weighs about 2500 lbs i'm told. I want something as a backup to get me home from about 4or 5 miles in salt water that can get a bit rough and have tides. Also how important is it that the prop extend below the bottom of the boat. I know ideally it should but is it absolutely necessary?

 

[Scott Danforth]

I would get towing insurance

 

[JimS123]

10 HP minimum and the prop should just be below the bottom. Does not need to be far below, just below, and yes its necessary.

And yes, get towing insurance as well.

In my 60 years of boating I have been stranded exactly 3 times. After the first time i got a kicker. The second time I used the kicker. The third time the kicker failed as well.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Ive been towed in twice and i have towed in about 30 to 40 people. The longest tow was 23 miles (3 hours). No way i want to deal with a kicker for those distances

 

[82rude]

At least you guys might be able to get towed.Up here were on our own My brother has a 15 hp for his 19 foot glasser.Seems to push it along fairly well.

 

[airshot]

I am probably going to be in opposition to many on here so here goes. I have used a kicker on my 22' for many years, it is a 9.9 and will send my 22' in calm water at better than 12 mph over gps. I do not carry tow ins but then I do not boat on the ocean only lake Erie of the great lakes. I am also very carefull about maintenance on my boat and motors. Never had to be towed in more than 50 yrs but have had to use the kicker on a couple occasions. A 9.9 should be very adequate on your boat but going to a 15 wouldn't hurt either. A 6-7 hp would be fine for just trolling but might be a bit small for an emergency run. Only you know your boat and its condition and how well it has been maintained so how big of a gamble are you willing to take is what it boils down to. If your doing serious offshore boating then towing is a must but within 15 miles on an inland lake or river I trust my kicker .

 

[82rude]

Were not in opposition airshot we just don't have tow services like they do .Actually my tow service is way better than anything they have.If I'm boating on lake superior or the st.marys river one distress call will have approx. 10 govt agencies scrambling all over each other to rescue you .My brother has been towed in 2 times by the U.S coast guard to the launch in Canada.They nor any other agency will not leave anybody stranded nor have I ever heard of a fee so far.

 

[Alumarine]

Depends where you boat I guess.
For me, I'm a firm believer that any kicker is better than no kicker.
Where I boat sometimes it can make the difference between taking a long time to get home or possibly never.

If it's not down far enough it's real easy for it to catch air if there's any waves at all.

 

[ondarvr]

If you can get an 8-9.9hp high thrust motor it will work great, a regular 9.9-15 would work too. Get the longest shaft possible, this will keep the prop in the water when things get tough. Where I boat it would take a long time for any tow service to get to you, and that's if I was actually in an area where it was even an option. Even a slow ride home is better than not going anywhere.

 

[KJM]

I doubt if I can even get towing insurance here, I didn't even know it existed! I've been told here that its illegal for anyone to leave somebody stranded on the ocean. I only go out as far as the other boats are going because I don't really trust my old motor 100%. I've been towed in twice and am determined to get a kicker so it don't happen again. I was thinking around the 9.9 hp mark. Thanks for the advice, if I come across one i'm sure i'll have questions about setting it up on the boat.

 

[redneck joe]

If they are in immediate danger, you need to help. Like sinking.

Kicker can be useful even whith a tow service on the way. If you are in a position where wind or water can push you into danger

 

[Scott Danforth]

I doubt if I can even get towing insurance here, I didn't even know it existed! I've been told here that its illegal for anyone to leave somebody stranded on the ocean. I only go out as far as the other boats are going because I don't really trust my old motor 100%. I've been towed in twice and am determined to get a kicker so it don't happen again. I was thinking around the 9.9 hp mark. Thanks for the advice, if I come across one i'm sure i'll have questions about setting it up on the boat.

sea tow and boat US are both towing insurance companies that operate a fleet of tow boats across the US. for $150ish per year, unlimited towing up to 25 miles. as i said, I used it twice. the bill would have been $1100 the first time if I didnt have the insurance. a 9.9 makes a great kicker, then again a 2hp will move a 37' boat over 5 miles in just under 2 hours

for years we mounted a kicker on the back of Dad's boat. the two times he needed to use the kicker, it wouldnt start and he needed to be towed in. then again, dad is not the poster child for preventative maintenance

 

[Redrig]

I broke down the second time I took out my boat and didnt have a kicker . The next week I bought one and will never go out without it . IMO they are a must .

I have an 18ft fiberglass boat and only a Merc 5hp long shaft kicker , but it moves it along nicely, and I use it for trolling.

I dont boat on the ocean though , I would get at least a 9.9 . I am sure my 5 would probably struggle in ocean conditions .