Shallow water kicker

[wishihad]

I'm looking for some input on putting a kicker motor on my boat for shallow water operation. I live on a mile long tidal creek that ranges from 4' at high tide to 18" at low tide. My boat is a 20' tri-hull that drafts about 13" so it's possible to float the boat, with the O/B up, even at most low tides. My problem is that when I lower my motor down far enough to keep the water inlet submerged but not so low as to hit bottom, the prop is angeled about 15 or 20degs towards the bottom which causes it to suck up mud off the bottom and clog my cooling system. So i was hoping for some input on using a smaller kicker motor that would be mounted such that, when I put it in the water, it would be protected behind the transom and perpindicular(sp) to the bottom.

 

[wishihad]

Re: Shallow water kicker

Would a power transom jack be a better idea?

 

[JB]

Re: Shallow water kicker

It wouldn't be able to move your 20 footer very fast, WishIhad, but OMC made some 3hp engines specifically for that purpose.

Look for a JohnnyRude 3 or 3.5 with the shallow water drive.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Shallow water kicker

I think everyone has a shallow water drive feature on small outboards today.

 

[jimmbo]

Re: Shallow water kicker

I think JB meant the old weedless fisherman drive last seen on some 4 hp models. When the engine driveshaft was vertical the propshaft looked like it was trimmed in an additional 20 degrees. Looking at a picture of it, it looks like if the engine was tilted until the prop was just under the surface, the prop thrust would then be parallel<sp> to surface of the water

 

[Joey One]

Re: Shallow water kicker

I have a Nissan 3.5 HP (NS3.5A2) that has the water intake at the level of the prop shaft. Maybe that will work.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Shallow water kicker

" smaller kicker motor that would be mounted such that, when I put it in the water, it would be protected behind the transom and perpindicular(sp) to the bottom. "

If you keep it protected behind the transom, no motor will do very well at moving the boat. The prop needs to be below the hull in clean water to produce the thrust needed.

An electric bow mounted trolling motor would probably work better.
Set it 6" below the water surface and let her rip.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Shallow water kicker

what about an air cooled 5hp briggs & stratton. it's noisey, but will get you out of the creek.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Shallow water kicker

A jet drive outboard would work well in that application.

 

[narog177]

Re: Shallow water kicker

by Tomos 4 hp for 100$ and drive (any hear Tomos outboard motor ).

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Shallow water kicker

Tomos was sold as Traveler in the U.S. for a few months back in 88 by NIEC. Then they decided it wasn't worth the trouble to import.

 

[wishihad]

Re: Shallow water kicker

wow thanks for all the input!

Ok not sure what a Tomo is.
I looked at some briggs powereed surface solutions but they are both loud and heavy.
I like the trolling motor idea but I'm not sure it'll be strong enough. How would that compare to a 6hp transome mount?
thanks

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Shallow water kicker

JB, you took da woerds outta da mouth. Twas gonna suggest the same thing.

For a little engine in harms way, that little 3 cyl twin OMC made back in the golden years was truly golden. We fished a many a mile of lilly pad/moss infested/shallow BASS water with one of those critters and it just begged for more.....but it put us on the fish and was quiet enough so as to not spook them.

Mark

 

[steelespike]

Re: Shallow water kicker

Hey Tex,I'd like to see that 3 cyl. twin! lol.
Anyway I always liked the little OMC twins 3, 5.5, 7.5 and 10 hp.I had the Gale version of the 5.5 and a 10 Johnson from the 50s.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Shallow water kicker

Hey Spike, you caught me man......gotta yield to the power. 8) Obviously I was referring to the 3 hp , not 3 cyl, twin. (You knew that d )

Man I love it. If you goof, there's someone is out there to smack you and get you back in line. But that's as it should be. Keeps the info accurate for the needy .
Thanks for keeping me on track bro.

Mark

 

[roscoe]

Re: Shallow water kicker

You can get electric trolling motors up to 110# of thrust, that can pull some pretty big boats. Of course you need to have room for the batteries. But much easier to use a wireless remote electric, than a (too) small tiller hanging off the transom on a big boat.

A front mounted troller will pull the boat, making it easier to steer.
I gotta figure that a 20' tri-hull is not going to steer very will with a small OB on the back.

 

[wishihad]

Re: Shallow water kicker

You can get electric trolling motors up to 110# of thrust, that can pull some pretty big boats. Of course you need to have room for the batteries. But much easier to use a wireless remote electric, than a (too) small tiller hanging off the transom on a big boat.

A front mounted troller will pull the boat, making it easier to steer.
I gotta figure that a 20' tri-hull is not going to steer very will with a small OB on the back.

Agreed. The front mount troller is the way I'm currently leaning. Walmart has a 50# front mount for around $350. Is that going to be big enough or do I need to move up and go with a 24v system?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Shallow water kicker

i really don't think anything is going to work very well. if you only have 5 inches of clearance. the bow troller needs to be submerge below the keel line, to work properly. i'm afraid it's going to cavitate, and just suck air.

 

[wishihad]

Re: Shallow water kicker

i really don't think anything is going to work very well. if you only have 5 inches of clearance. the bow troller needs to be submerge below the keel line, to work properly. i'm afraid it's going to cavitate, and just suck air.

Even if it'd a good 4' in front of the hull?

 

[roscoe]

Re: Shallow water kicker

I have to disagree with tasha.
I have always run my bow mount trollers so the top of the prop is about 6-8" under the water surface. If you are heading through waves, you may have to lower it a few more inches.

If you can jump up to a 24v system, that would be the way to go.
A 2 battery 24v setup, along with a motor that uses the "maximizer" technology, will mean longer run time and more power. And running at 3/4 power is supposed to help a lot also.

Take a look at the wireless remote controls, or even the wired hand remote control. Maybe pick up a motor that you can add the remote control to later.

Let us know how it works out.