What size should the kicker be?

[Jim13]

How big should the kicker be for a 21' Robalo?

Is there a standard formula for figuring this out?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: What size should the kicker be?

where are you going to be boating. is it just for trolling, or do you want to be able to get home, under it's power, in and emergency. what is your boat, center console. cuddy??

 

[JoLin]

Re: What size should the kicker be?

Like Tashasdaddy said, more info might help.

I boat in the Great South Bay and I put a 15-horse kicker on my 21' Pro-Line w/a cuddy as backup to my 175. I bought it primarily for the safety factor in waters that can get rough. It's gotten me home twice already- once in a stiff wind and pretty heavy chop.

 

[Jim13]

Re: What size should the kicker be?

It is a center console.
It will be used for trolling and I would also need it to get me home in an emergency from about 10-15 miles out if necessary.

 

[JoLin]

Re: What size should the kicker be?

I can only relate my personal experience, so I hope some others will chime in.

The kicker was on my "nice to have" list and I was waiting for a deal on a lightly used motor with a long shaft. They don't pop up that often around here, so it took awhile. If you're buying new you can tailor the motor to your boat better.

I was tempted to buy a 10-horse, but when the Merc came along at a good price I decided to go with it. It seems to have enough oomph to push the boat in just about anything I'm likely to encounter. I guess that's my recommendation - go as big as you can without paying too big a weight penalty.

8-10 hp is probably enough for trolling. If you want to make sure you can push the boat along against heavier seas, wind and current, I'd look in the 15-20 hp range.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: What size should the kicker be?

the gull is relatively shallow and can get rough in a hurry. at least a 9.9, 15 to besure you and handle heavy weather, in an emergency. recommend separate fuel sources. a lot of main engine failure at sea is contaminated fuel.

 

[JoLin]

Re: What size should the kicker be?

Tashasdaddy,

Is contaminated fuel more common at the fuel docks than at shore-based gas stations? So far, I've refueled only from gas stations using cans. I'm genuinely curious about this and it plays into the "safety factor" discussion.

In 39 years of driving, I've only had one instance of contaminated fuel purchased at a gas station. That was 35 years ago when some kids ran a water hose into the station's underground tank in the middle of the night. Couple dozen cars were stranded on the side of the road leaving the station. Otherwise, I can't say I've ever bought "bad gas".

 

[Jim13]

Re: What size should the kicker be?

Thank you very much gentlemen.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: What size should the kicker be?

boats have more problems with contaminated fuel. you have condensation, in a boat tank, more so than and auto that uses more fuel more frequently. old fuel mixing with new fuel. i don't think it is the source, more than not maintaining the fuel. fuel/water separators.

 

[JoLin]

Re: What size should the kicker be?

Yeah, that makes sense. Thanks for the clarification, Tashasdaddy.

 

[JoLin]

Re: What size should the kicker be?

Tou're welcome, Jim13. Good luck.