Thinking of a new kicker motor!

[gss036]

I spent all day yesterday at the Seattle boat show looking and talking to sales people about the new 9.9 HP Hight Trust 4 stroke motors. I looked at the Mercury high thrust which is mostly made by Tohatsu but with lower gears and bigger prop than those offered by Tohatsu. Looked at Honda, I have run a 15 hp 1997 25 inch shaft since new, but has a lot of hours, all salt water. Just don't know if I want another Honda, was really seriuosly think of Yamaha 9.9 25 inch High Thrust. Talked with a shop owner from Everett store that sells & works on both Honda and Yamaha, he says he perfers the Yamaha. I was pretty much sold on the Yamaha until I came across a new 9.9 HP Hight thrust Suzuki. I was quite impressed. The other engines all have about 200CC engines, the Suzuki has 302CC engine and weighs about 15 pounds more because of the bigger displacement. I can get the Yamaha or the Suzuki forthe same money or pay 400-500 more for the Honda.
Has anyone had dealings with the engines? They would be used strictly for kicker on a Seacraft 23WA in saltwater. Comments welcome, maybe we can get some conversation going on this.
I was going to go fishing but NOAA has smallcrat warning out and the Canadian weather has storm warning out for the puget sound and gulf islands.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Thinking of a new kicker motor!

I have been doing some looking also but looking at a 15 to 20 HP Electric start model.
I have come down to Honda or Yamaha as the best choice for me. Honda has a better range of factory props than Yamaha in the high thrust props.

I have to wonder why you want to replace a 1997 model honda? That to me is a almost new motor. My current kicker is a 1975 15 HP Johnson 2 stroke. It still starts by the second pull but got to thinking that the wife probably could not start it if something happened to me and she was the only other one on board. Also the Honda 15 an 20 HP have 12 amp alternators for battery charging. I wanted the 20 Hp Honda but hate the silver color. However the way Honda markets their motors is not the best.
Example you can get the 15 HP Manual start in a 25 inch shaft but electric start can only get as long as 20. If get the 20 HP then to get electric start have to get the POWER Trim and Tilt. That adds 31 pounds to the motor and I have no use for the power trin and tilt.

In your case you may also want to check out the Johnson line as Suzuki makes Johnson 4 stroke motor but their may be more Johnson / Evinrude dealers.

I have a thread on the same subject that you may want to check out also.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=288553

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Thinking of a new kicker motor!

they are all good motors. which has the best service, in the area you are going to be using it?

 

[pvanv]

Re: Thinking of a new kicker motor!

Like TD said, they are all good units. Dealer location, service and support become important, and are frequently ignored. The dealer may be the deciding factor in your case.

In my experience, both as a Tohatsu/Nissan dealer/mechanic and as an owner of a Nissan 9.8, I can say that I am very pleased with my Nissan 9.8 electric start. I have a High Thrust prop (Tohatsu markets two pitches of the Solas prop for these motors), and it really pushes very well at slow speeds. What I have found is that there is no need for a special gear ratio or exotic LU, as long as you have the correct prop. That saved me a lot of money, since I get the expensive "bigfoot" performance at a Tohatsu price. After all, the Merc is made by Tohatsu.

 

[gss036]

Re: Thinking of a new kicker motor!

I used to have a Johnson Sailmaster 2 stroke, but I haven't seen a Johnson motor is several years.
The main reason I want to replace a 1997 Honda is that it has 3-4000 hours, that is a lot of hours to me. It also seems to be ddeveloping an electrical problem, I have asked a Honda mechanic about a possible fix, his reply they are tough to find. Well at $92.00 @ hour, that can add up in a hurry. Just about every part you look at on the engine is about $100 or more. Tough decision to make, maybe I will get a chance to try to work on it today.

 

[FishnMike]

Re: Thinking of a new kicker motor!

I've got a Yamaha T-8 on my boat and love it. Down here in Calif, the Yamaha T-8 and T9.9 are the standard trolling motor. Hondas are somewhat popular. Very few Mercs and I don't think I have seen a Suzi trolling motor down here yet. Like the others have said, who can service or repair your motor in your local area is a big part of deciding what to buy.

FishnMike

 

[gss036]

Re: Thinking of a new kicker motor!

I was hoping for some feed back on the Suzuki. Service is no problem as we have dealers within 15 miles of the house.

 

[gss036]

Re: Thinking of a new kicker motor!

Settled on the Yamaha T9.9 w/electric start and extra long shaft. Paid $2199 + sales tax for. I will pick it up later today.
I now have a 1997 Honda extra long shaft for sale if you know anyone near who is in need. I am in Whatcom County, Washington.

 

[gss036]

Re: Thinking of a new kicker motor!

I picked up my motor and just home a few minutes ago.
We stopped by to see a niece and her husband visiting this area, he is a certified outboard mechanic and we started talking about the motors. I told him I had been considering a Suzuki, said it was a good thing I went with the Yamaha because of saltwater corrision problems on the Suzuki. He said they were no where near as good as the Yamaha and Honda protection. I guess I made the right choice. One thing about the Yamaha, it is heavy and akward with such a long leg. Definately will take 2 people to lift it up for installation.

 

[FishnMike]

Re: Thinking of a new kicker motor!

Congrats on your new motor, you'll love it. Make sure you break it in according to the instructions in the manual. If you don't do that and start trolling right away, your rings will not seat properly and you will make oil for the rest of the motors life.

FishnMike

 

[gss036]

Re: Thinking of a new kicker motor!

Mike, thank you the advise. I read the entire manul yesterday and they do stress that point. I think I will definately enjoy it.
I just got off the phone w/Chuck Goetz of Goetz Engineering and ordered the new brackets needed to use my remote steering system. I have used the Goetz Easy Steer system since 1989 and if one evers try it they would truly enjoy the freedom of being able to move around the boat and not being stuck sitting on the transon all the time in the rain and wind. I have friends who have the attachments that hook (connect) the 2 motors together, but you are still stuck sitting at the steering wheel and unable to tend to your fishing rods. If you have ever fished for blackmouth salmon, you understand what I am saying.

 

[ebry710]

Re: Thinking of a new kicker motor!

Mike, thank you the advise. I read the entire manul yesterday and they do stress that point. I think I will definately enjoy it.
I just got off the phone w/Chuck Goetz of Goetz Engineering and ordered the new brackets needed to use my remote steering system. I have used the Goetz Easy Steer system since 1989 and if one evers try it they would truly enjoy the freedom of being able to move around the boat and not being stuck sitting on the transon all the time in the rain and wind. I have friends who have the attachments that hook (connect) the 2 motors together, but you are still stuck sitting at the steering wheel and unable to tend to your fishing rods. If you have ever fished for blackmouth salmon, you understand what I am saying.

I looked up the system, looks interesting. What does it cost and does it fit on a tiller system?

 

[gss036]

Re: Thinking of a new kicker motor!

Yes it fits smaller horsepower tillers. I have used it on a Jonhson Sail Master (2stroke) 25inch shaft and on my Current 15 HP Honda and I just ordered the bracket,etc to use on my new Yamaha T9.9. I have no idea what they cost now or even if they still sell them. I talked with the owner when I ordered the parts, so it is a small company.

 

[ebry710]

Re: Thinking of a new kicker motor!

I checked Goetz Engineering on the internet, but I cannot see where to buy it. It isn't even on eBay or Craiglist.

 

[gss036]

Re: Thinking of a new kicker motor!

Poblably need to call and talk w/Chuck Goetz. 208 664-6438 address is 4907 Industrial Ave Coeur D'Alene, Idaho 83814

I did my first 3-4 hours of break in today, constant up and down and around w/the RPMS, ran like a champ and really better control than I had w/my 15HP Honda. Also a good day fishing 12 & 14 # salmon.

 

[ebry710]

Re: Thinking of a new kicker motor!

Sounds like a good idea. thanks for the number.