Looking for the good kicker motor

[bthompson]

Re: Looking for the good kicker motor

I'm going to use my 5.5hp '55 Johnson as a kicker(I have thesame exact rig as Oz), it should be plenty to get in to the ramp unless I'm in 3-5ft swells and high winds.

Keep in mind that the carbs can be swapped out to make the 9.9 a 15 pretty easily depending on the year.

I'm not too worried about weight, even with my 80hp Merc and CMC bracket the boat should still float level in the water. If not I plan on adding a deep cycle to the bow storage to balance.

I should know in a few weeks Oz so I will let you know how it pans out

I have a 1974 16' Starcraft aluminum with a 65 Evinrude. My kicker is a '55 5.5 Johnson. Works great! I can go 6 mph. Worked for me on the Rainy River when we went pre-spawn walleye fishing. That thing will troll all weekend on 6 gallons. Plus, it will get me back home if I need it to. Not the best to troll with in high winds because the wind catches the bow and throws it around, but I am putting an electric bow trolling motor on for that. I still plan to keep the 5.5 on it for insurance!

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Looking for the good kicker motor

Well, if you're going to get a 9.9, then you may as well get a 15. Manual start motors will have about the same weight and have 50% more horsepower.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: Looking for the good kicker motor

ha ha, funny the Wikipedia example show a steam launch doing over 3 times its HULL SPEED, and it is not even close to being on plane...it is PLOWING water like crazy!!!


I was thinking of being an azzzz and mentioning a submarine...oops i just did ha ha... they seem to never get on plane , but can do 30 knots!!

it looks like the rough theory puts my hull at about 7 knots....whats that in MPH??

I think i have already gone 7 mph with the 15 and the first prop...

bob

Bob, you didn't read carefully ... long, narrow hulls don't fit this idea. i.e. a destroyer, sub, canoe, etc. etc. Tell me about your boat going 15 knots (1.15mph ~ 1 knot) with a kicker ... ain't happen' pal.

 

[bob johnson]

Re: Looking for the good kicker motor

Bob, you didn't read carefully ... long, narrow hulls don't fit this idea. i.e. a destroyer, sub, canoe, etc. etc. Tell me about your boat going 15 knots (1.15mph ~ 1 knot) with a kicker ... ain't happen' pal.

I was playing devils advocate, I realize there is a rough theory and it applies closely to my boat and situation

and i have no idea where I have written I am going 15 mph!!

the fastest so far is 7 mph....WITH the 15 HP..

I think you might have miss read that...anyway...I'D like to go FASTER with the 15 than the 6, if I am going to tote around the xtra weight... and it will have to be a lot more than 5-6...........gonna find out....

Ill report back.....

bob

 

[bob johnson]

Re: Looking for the good kicker motor

kicker results


went out today , it was a, little windier than i would have liked..I was on an real narrow s curving lake, so i found a few lees, that had maybe 10 mph of wind..

first the 15 with the 11X6 prop...its a long shaft so it has more LU in the water.....my mount is for a short shaft...

got up to barely 7 mph with the wind, and about 6 mph into the wind.

put the old 1969 6 hp on( dont know the prop pitch, dont think it matters) and warmed it up and was doing slightly less than 6 mph with the wind, and about 5 mph into the wind..

I had a much nicer 6 hp a few weeks ago that seems to push me and my GF slightly faster...but it might have been because she leveled out the boat a little

the boat sits pretty darn level as it is....but on this run 245 lbs at the stern running the tiller did want to lift the bow ever so slightly

seems the 15 hp extra weight is not worth the 1-1.5 mph I could possibly realize


especially since i am mounting it while on the water.
And i take it from the truck every trip and lay it in the boat..

the 15 is about the max Id want to lift over a 4.5' gunnel and reach out 2 foot and lay in the boat!!!! with out breaking anything.

eventually i get a mount in the boat to leave it that is secure for trailering.

bob

 

[Rick.]

Re: Looking for the good kicker motor

kicker results


went out today , it was a, little windier than i would have liked..I was on an real narrow s curving lake, so i found a few lees, that had maybe 10 mph of wind..

first the 15 with the 11X6 prop...its a long shaft so it has more LU in the water.....my mount is for a short shaft...

got up to barely 7 mph with the wind, and about 6 mph into the wind.

put the old 1969 6 hp on( dont know the prop pitch, dont think it matters) and warmed it up and was doing slightly less than 6 mph with the wind, and about 5 mph into the wind..

I had a much nicer 6 hp a few weeks ago that seems to push me and my GF slightly faster...but it might have been because she leveled out the boat a little

the boat sits pretty darn level as it is....but on this run 245 lbs at the stern running the tiller did want to lift the bow ever so slightly

seems the 15 hp extra weight is not worth the 1-1.5 mph I could possibly realize


especially since i am mounting it while on the water.
And i take it from the truck every trip and lay it in the boat..

the 15 is about the max Id want to lift over a 4.5' gunnel and reach out 2 foot and lay in the boat!!!! with out breaking anything.

eventually i get a mount in the boat to leave it that is secure for trailering.

bob

I can lift my 4hp and mount it while I'm putting the lead balls on the downriggers with my other hand. Just kidding Bob. Thanks for letting us know your results. I have certainly learned something reading this thread. Thanks for that. Rick.