thinking about adding a kicker motor

[dropout454]

I'm thinking of going with a Kicker in addition to my 70hp.....Problem is Im worried about weight on the transom. Boat is only a 16 footer with a 58 inch beam. Anyone think I could put up to a 9.9 on the back without weighting the back of the boat down too much?? I'm not going to move any thing up front (fuel tanks, etc....)

Thanks

 

[Prophammer]

Re: thinking about adding a kicker motor

What kind of boat is it? Is rated for the added weight? What kind of 9.9 is it? I have carried a 9.9 Mercury 4 Stroke, that thing is dog gone heavy! I wouldn't add the extra weight of it to my boat as a kicker. (My main boat at the present time is a 19ft Carolina Skiff). If I had to have a gas powered kicker, I would get one as small as possible for the job. I was in fact thinking about doing it again. I once used my 3.3 Johnson for a kicker on my 21' Seafox boat (sold the Seafox), it was ok in calm water but wasn't enough Hp in choppy/windy conditions. I think a 9.9 would have been ok Hp wise, but that boat would've listed to one side, I'm sure with a 9.9 Fourstroke hanging there.

 

[dropout454]

Re: thinking about adding a kicker motor

The boat is a starcraft SS 16ft....I have room to play with on the weight capacity. My main motor is only 70 hp...the boat is rated for up to 85hp....just want some opinions on if its a good idea....I do want the comfort of a second gas motor for larger waters....trolling would be nice with the small motor....also I could bet a powerful troller instead?? Both maybe?? Might be in over my head with this one.....

 

[ezmobee]

Re: thinking about adding a kicker motor

An SS is a pretty stable boat. I think you could hang a kicker on it. Anything 5HP+ should get the job done. I never had to use it for real but I used to carry around a 4HP on my Jupiter (similar hull) and did try it out a couple times and it pushed the 16 footer adequately. I had a big V4 Johnson on mine as well.

 

[Eyeman]

Re: thinking about adding a kicker motor

I had a 16' Tuffy with a 70HP Johnson on it. I used a Dolfin on the 70, it flipped down for trolling and up for big power. I loved to troll with it and the console steering was a dream. But, it sounds like you're looking for something as a back up when you're on the big pond (Lake MI). If that's the case, then a small 2 stroke, maybe the 5 Hp, as suggested, would work fine. I have a Mariner/Yamaha 9.9Hp 4-stroke on my present rig and it is pretty heavy.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: thinking about adding a kicker motor

I'm not sure why you think you need or want a kicker in the first place with a 16' boat, and I have seen a lot of people who think a kicker is a required feature for any boat. You can troll fine with a 70. You can pay to get towed a couple of times for the cost of a reliable small OB. You can even paddle a 16 a short ways if needed.
Adding one includes adding steering and remote controls. Your fit will be tight; you don't want the two motors to exchange molecules. At most I'd consider an electric troller.

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: thinking about adding a kicker motor

I have a 16' Crestliner (in my sig) and have a 9.9 as a kicker and love it. My main motor is a 60hp but it doesn't like to troll for long periods, plus it is louder and uses more fuel. The big motor is only used to get me there and back and I troll all day with the 9.9. I recommend it and have never had an issue with mine.

 

[bob johnson]

Re: thinking about adding a kicker motor

I think a 9.9 is gonna be a heavy motor..the OMCs 9.9 and 15 hp are the same weight...thus i chose a 15 hp for a kicker on my 21 ft Lowe... but it doesnt push my boat but 1 mph faster than my 6 hp...

so if you are doing this for fishing...then you might want the 9.9 to make sure you get the speed you need to troll with..other wise if it is to get you back home..id go find a folding 4 hp that OMC made in the 70's. it stays in a case until you need it..all folded up... and for speed you wont loose that much between the 4 and the 9.9 I think..maybe 2- 2.5 mph I am guessing...


if your boat drafts a lot, maybe youd loose a little more speed...

good luck

bob

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: thinking about adding a kicker motor

And it depends if you already have a motor or are getting one. I had the 9.9 so I used it. Given a choice I could go about 1/2 that size and be a lot lighter and still get the job done.