Kicker Motor???????

[jasontrucks76]

Ok I am knee deep in shopping for a new kicker motor and need some help.... I have a Skeeter ZX2050 with a Yamaha 250 for the main motor and started looking at the Yamaha T8 with remote control. I then took a good look at the Honda, Nissan, OMC, and Merc. I really would like to stay between $1,500.00 and $2,000.00 if possible and am having some trouble finding what I want in that price range. I have conceded to the fact I am not getting the T8 with all the bells due to price but I was wondering if any of you have experience with some of these other brands and also if you know of any retailers in western South Dakota? I would like to have a kicker with hydraulic lift and remote control but again have conceded that I will probably be getting one with no hydraulics and probably a tiller. I do want electric start and I have the fuel delivery system already set up to tap into the main gas tank.

Any input would be appreciated !

Thanks
JT

[Hot Runr Guy]

JT,
You might be surprised, I'm seeing more T8's for sale than ever, probably due to guys who can't justify $2K+ just hanging on thier transoms. I know of a '03 T8 20" tiller in the Chicago area that the guy is asking $1750 for, drop me a PM if you want his info.
HRG

[K Gonefishin]

I know a guy who purchased a Nissan kicker and he loves it, he's had it for a few months and has nothing but good things to say about it. Cabelas has them on sale right now. 8 hp electric start for $1749.00 3 year warranty. Free shipping too.

[jasontrucks76]

Thanks for the fast reply! I would love to have a T8 but I am shure by the time I shipped that to SD I would be in the same money as if I went to Cabels and got one of the Nissan units.... I would like to find some info out on the Hondas as well if anyone knows.

Thanks again!!!

[yarcraft91]

Add Tohatsu to your list. You can buy a new 8 horse 4-stroke for about $1600 delivered ($1800 electric start/long shaft). My buddy has one on his boat and the only complaint is that it's so quiet he can't tell it's running. His Tohatsu looks suspiciously like a Mercury 4-stroke 8 horse under the hood- I'm not saying it's the same, but it's hard to tell the difference.

[K Gonefishin]

I guess they are the same motors from what I've read.

[28shooter]

Are the Nissan and the Tohatsu about the same or is one better then the other?

[Modog]

jason, I sent you a PM

[jasontrucks76]

Thanks for all the replys guys.... I made some calls and it does sound like the Tohatsu is basicaly the same as the Merc.... I spoke with my local boat shop and they said they do not work on the Nissans but do work on the Tohatsu's... They are a Merc and Yamaha dealer.... I think you can figure out the rest.

Has any one had experiance buying this kind of thing on-line?

[yarcraft91]

"I spoke with my local boat shop and they said they do not work on the Nissans but do work on the Tohatsu's... "

Interesting- according to what I have read, the only differences between Nissan and Tohatsu outboards are the decals on the cowl and the price. If true, it seems someone who'd work on either would work on both.

Can't help you with experience buying outboards on-line, but the internet vendors I found show up as authorized sellers and authorized service centers on the Tohatsu web site. Apparently they are more than just a P.O. box.

[jasontrucks76]

Ok... After some more checking into this I found that Tohatsu is the maker of all three. They build the units for Nissan as well as Merc....

So it looks like I am going to own a new Tohatsu for 1,200 bucks less than one that says Merc on it.

Thanks again for all the help!

JT

[ranger05]

I am thinking of replacing my Evinrude 9.9 with 8 hp Tohatsu. I dont need power trim, since I have Panther lift, is electric starter really a needed option. I never had problem starting my 9.9. I also have to check and see who will repair if needed during the warranty period. I have several mercury dealers and service near me. Will this engine run well below 1 mile per hour and other speeds up to 2.8 range. Should I put certain pitch prop when I buy. My 9.9 is still great engine but need to aways use the 6 gallon tank.

[CLDFRNT]

I have a T8 on my new 620, and had a 9.9 Honda on my last boat. I wish I had the Honda back, it started much better and also ran a lot smother than my T8. My Trollmaster also worked much better on the Honda than it does on the Yamaha due to the fact of a lot less linkage on the Honda.
Good luck with your choice Mark N

[Shep]

If you think about it, really, only Yamaha and Merc make motors designed as kickers. All the rest are just small outboards. The mounting and the lower units are designed for the stresses and loads that come when hanging on the back of a boat in big water. As more guys start using the Minn Mota Engine Mounts for pulling spinner rigs, expect to see more used kickers for sale. I use my Terrova to pull spinners and there is a ProKicker on back for pulling cranks and for trolling for salmon and muskies.

[Check]

If you think about it, really, only Yamaha and Merc make motors designed as kickers. All the rest are just small outboards.
You mean only Yamaha and Tohatsu build outboards designed as kickers. Mercury doesn't build small outboards.

[Shep]

You mean only Yamaha and Tohatsu build outboards designed as kickers. Mercury doesn't build small outboards.


No, I mean Mercury and Yamaha. The ProKicker is a Mercury-Tohatsu joint venture. Designed by Mercury. Please note that Tohatsu does not offer anything like the ProKicker.

[ziemann]

You guys are 100% correct about the relationship between Tohatsu and Mercury.

Mercury has had a strategic partnership with Tohatsu for quite a while. Tohatsu is the #2 manufacturer of outboards in the world market and jointly works with Mercury to manufacture their outboards of 30 hp and less. There are some subtle differences between the units (such as controls, paint, decals, etc) but for the most part, they are mechanically the same.

Tohatsu also manufactures under the Nissan label and that relationship has been around for more than 20 years. The Nissan name is better known in North America and Tohatsu manufactures units with the Nissan label up through 115 HP in the US and previously as high as 140 hp before the EPA regs kicked in.

Nissan, Mercury, and Tohatsu outboards license technology from Orbital Injection and sell that technology under the TLDI and Optimax labels. There are differences between the Orbital Injection used in the Optimax and the TLDI, but there are more similarities than there are differences.....

The relationship between Mercury and Tohatsu is deeper than most folks realize and it has been a huge benefit to both companies.

A kicker with a Mercury, Tohatsu, or Nissan label will be a quality piece of technology....

[jasontrucks76]

Wow I really stured it up here...... Sorry.

I still do not own either of these motors simply put... The only guy who will do warranty work locally is a dumb A$$ and I am not letting him touch my boat.:-(

Sooooo It is looking more and more like I am going to bite the bullet and get the matching Yamaha to my 250 HPDI.

Take Care!

[ziemann]

You really can't go wrong!!!! Good luck to you and let us know how you make out-

[Shep]

I think if I had a Yamaha main motor, I'd want to match it with the T8. And it is a good motor. You won't be disappointed with it.

I would go with the tiller model, and add a Trollmaster Pro.

[Check]

No, I mean Mercury and Yamaha. The ProKicker is a Mercury-Tohatsu joint venture. Designed by Mercury. Please note that Tohatsu does not offer anything like the ProKicker.
I'm well aware of the Mercury/Tohatsu venture. I'm also aware that Tohatsu does not have a ProKicker in their product line. Albeit Mercury sends their specifications and designs in some instances, Tohatsu actually builds the outboard. So as of now Yamaha and Tohatsu(with design help from Mercury) are the only builders of a "ProKicker" as of now.

[Venlta Poplar]

If you think about it, really, only Yamaha and Merc make motors designed as kickers.
What makes Suzuki's 9.9 any less viable as a kicker than a Merc or Yamaha?

[DSLARS]

I like the T8 and Prokicker because of the Hyd tilt. Not sure how the other motors tilt but my old kicker had the little metal bracket that flopped down to hold it up. Even tied down I almost lost it twice! My vote is for the T8 tiller model with a trollmaster and a tie bar option for when you want to forward troll. I just hate to spend that kind of money and not be satisfied. Heck if the world comes to an end a T8 will hold its value used a lot more than one of those other motors? just a thought