Kicker suggestions??

[solidwaste]

I want to get a kicker motor for my 73 larson tri hull. Dry wiegh is around 1300lbs or so so I figured with gear and passengers probaly more like 1900lbs or so..I mainly want this for a way out of trouble, in case main fails..Dont want family standed..So what size should I get Im thinking 15hp..

 

[mjbrueck]

Re: Kicker suggestions??

The 15 would be way overkill, unless you want it to use on a small boat as well. You only need about 1 hp per 500 pounds to push at hull speed. You may want a few extra hp to overcome wind and waves (Unless it planes the boat, extra hp can't overcome current). I'd look for something in the 6hp range.<br /><br />You might also want to get a small gas tank (3 gallons should get you about 20 miles)to run the kicker on. At the end of the day, you can dump the small tank into the main tank that way you always have fresh gas in your emergency engine.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Kicker suggestions??

You will likely need a longshaft motor to get the prop in clean water below the hull. 9.9 or 15hp are a lot easier to find in a longshaft, than a 6 or 8 hp.<br /><br />I just replaced a 4hp, with a 15.<br />Yes it is a bit of overkill, but it was cheap, and I have much more thrust and control over the boat with the 15.<br /><br />I would go 9.9 longshaft.

 

[glasply1]

Re: Kicker suggestions??

Also consider one with an alternator to give you lights and electronics to get you home in the dark if your problem is electrical/battery. 8hp yamaha is expensive but reliable and available with high thrust (low speed option).

 

[solidwaste]

Re: Kicker suggestions??

Thanks a lot for advise Ill let you know what I get..IF I can afford one right now ..I know Im goin to end up paying more for my kicker than i did my main.I bought a 1978 85 hp johnson that runs great for $750.00..But its a small price to pay for a lot of security..

 

[BTF112989]

Re: Kicker suggestions??

I don't mean to get off topic but I also want a kicker for my boat. I have a 1969 9.5hp Johnson short shaft already that is not being used and wanted to use this. I have 2 stroke main engine but it has an oil tank so I can't hook my kicker into my main gas tank. What do you think about having a 2 stroke kicker on the back that would require a separate tank? My boat is a deep-V hull offshore boat. Would the engine be mounted too low on the hull if it is a short shaft? My main engine is a long shaft. I just wanted to see if I could get by with the engine I already have instead of buying a new engine. Will I have to get a longshaft 4 stroke engine for a kicker for my boat?

 

[Solittle]

Re: Kicker suggestions??

If your boat requires a long shaft for the main power a short shaft kicker will not work. You might see if you can convert your 9.5 to a long shaft or swap it for one ready to go. A used OMC 2 cycle 9.9 or 15 would work well.

 

[BTF112989]

Re: Kicker suggestions??

Well do you think I should get a 2 stroke or a WELL USED 4 stroke. I don't have the money to buy a new 4 stroke so it would be a heavily used one. I would like an engine that is hooked into my main gas tank. The 2 stroke would require a separate gas container. What would you do? I don't wanna be stuck out 30 miles in the ocean with only 2 gallons of gas in my portable container for a 2 stroke while my boat gas tank has plenty of gas in it to use if I had a 4 stroke.

 

[glasply1]

Re: Kicker suggestions??

If you need to move gas from the main tank, auto parts stores sell a small tank with a hand pump attached to it, and they come with a narrow but lengthy hose. I would only do it in an emergency because of the potential hazards from spilled fuel.

 

[BTF112989]

Re: Kicker suggestions??

well if I get a 4 stroke then I will just tap it's fuel line directly into my main gas tank but with a 2 stroke I will need a separate tank because of the oil/gas mix.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Kicker suggestions??

The last thing you want as an emergency kicker is someone elses old engine. If you can't fit a new 8 or 10 in your budget then drop down to the most power you can get in any brand in a new engine. "I mainly want this for a way out of trouble, in case main fails..Dont want family standed.." You and your family are always worth the extra money when it comes to a safety issue.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Kicker suggestions??

what about a Honda 2stroke oil injected, like on a sail boat. you use your main tank, and the motor has a oil tank under the cowl. the sail boat engine has a long shaft and you mount it on an adjustable bracket. just carry an extra bottle of oil, the also have alternators, to charge batteries.

 

[mjbrueck]

Re: Kicker suggestions??

The other thing to consider is that a lot of engine problems are fuel related. Having a separate fuel source for your kicker is a big plus when it comes to emergency use.

 

[glasply1]

Re: Kicker suggestions??

Having a 4 stroke hooked up to your main tank is and advantage. However, having a separate tank for the kicker in an emergency solves the problem of what do you do if you run out of gas in the main tank or have water in it or whatever. Hopefully you'll never have the emergency situation, but the separate tank gives you another source obviously. Its almost like having another boat accompanying you. Back-up systems provide more safety, reliability and enjoyment. Good luck.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Kicker suggestions??

An old 70s 4Hp Johnson or Evinrude. Very light! You don't want a heavy kicker for one of those old tri-hulls. The lighter, the better.

 

[budsbud66]

Re: Kicker suggestions??

If your only getting it for security, you dont need it.. Just be smart, besure to have a marine radio or cellphone.. if you have a problem.. Simply call the coast guard. they will get you out of anything! Unless your talking little inland lakes, im sure its somebodys job to tow ya back thoe..

 

[Mike Robinson]

Re: Kicker suggestions??

Last week I decided to take my boat out for a quick test run after doing some minor changes and decarbing my Johnson 150. My present kicker (a '89 - 9.9 yamaha 4 stroke) was off the boat getting some work done to it. So as a precaution I thought I'd throw our old Johnson 20 on the kicker bracket (it's a very heavy duty bracket) even though it wasn't really long enough.<br /><br />After launching and heading out of the marina the 150 just wouldn't accelerate properly which I thought was maybe fouled up plugs. As we got further and further from the marina it ran worse and worse and kept stalling. After some playing around we realized that the gas line from the main tank (under deck) was sucking air. Thankfully, I had the kicker with an independant fuel tank to get back to the boat ramp safely and we didn't have to bother the Coast Guard or any one else!

 

[gss036]

Re: Kicker suggestions??

I would not be depending on the U S Coast Guard for help! They will only assist if there is life threatening circumstances. They will call somebody (vessel assist etc) to give you a tow. That is from personal experience on 2 incidents. Once on my boat, once on somebody elses boat.

 

[BTF112989]

Re: Kicker suggestions??

Yeah I had to be towed in by sea tow one time. I had to get towed 2 miles back to the boat ramp and it cost me 560 DOLLARS!!! <br /><br />I can keep that money and do something more useful with it if I have a kicker on the back.<br /><br />10 bucks worth of kicker gas or $560?<br /><br />I'd rather pay 10 bucks in gas.

 

[budsbud66]

Re: Kicker suggestions??

I got towed back once by the coast guard.. about a 5 mile tow. didnt charge me a think.. I can Definately see where you guys are coming from if they charge you that much...<br /><br />then agan i was stuck about a mile from the station..<br /><br />I thought thats there job to help you... like we pay for it in tax's??? maybe its different from state to state.<br />- team_starcraft -