View Full Version : Dumb kicker question
Cormorant
03-11-2000, 04:59 PM
Why does everyone have a 9.9 or a 15 hp kicker? Why don't more people use a 6hp kicker? I'm thinking about keeping the weight/cost down. Also, would you go 2 or 4 stroke (why)?
Jeff S
03-11-2000, 08:57 PM
Not a dumb question at all. You need to size the kicker to the size of your boat. I have a 9.9 on my boat now and it is just the right size to give me the control I need. If my boat was bigger I would move to the 15HP kicker. My last boat was 16' and I ran a 4.5 Mercury on it. If you can afford the extra dollars I recommend the 4 stroke for the lower noise level and low fuel comsumption.
im using a 3hp yammaha for my kicker ,i find it just as light as a 2hp and just as strong as a 4hp it takes little room on the transom .its been four years im real happy with it ,by the way its a 2 stroke
steelhead
03-11-2000, 11:46 PM
Your kicker just may be your only source of power should your main motor quit.I personally would lean towards a larger kicker motor. Ps my main motor is a ficht.
Nails(WI)
03-12-2000, 05:42 AM
As Steelhead said if your main engine won't run w/ a 9.9hp you will have enough power to get you back to dock. I just bought one this week and went with a merc 4- stroke. With a 4-stroke you can cut into the fuel line feeding your main engine and run the kicker off your main fuel tank, no mixing fuel and no extra tank taking up valuable floor space. I paid $1650 @ Starks in Prairie du Chien, WI. If you live in the area check them out. I got a couple price quotes for around $2000 and was told that was the best they could do because of low mark up on the motors. DON'T believe it if you here the same thing, they have room to work.Hope this helps. Good luck, Doug.
FISH4U
03-12-2000, 06:08 AM
if your main engine is a ficht (so is mine)
that kicker will come in handy many many times
good luck
Ram Man
03-12-2000, 07:45 AM
Heck Nails...I should have got mine there and had it shipped to me!! The best deal here in Michigan that I found was just over 1750.00. I doubt shipping would have been $1000.00!! LOL
Rappaman
03-12-2000, 05:48 PM
Did somebody make a typo? Or did I miss something?
That other dude got his for $1650.
You got a quote for $1750. You figure you should have one shipped because shipping would not be $1000.oo ?
What did I read wrong? Sorry?
Gunga Din
03-13-2000, 10:50 AM
If keeping weight and cost down is your primary concern, first look at a 2-stroke. With less weight and lower cost being its advantages, disadvantages are 2-strokes require premixing the gas/oil and therefore cannot be run from the main gas tank.
As for size, get what you think you need. I had a 4HP 2-stroke on my 17.5' and it worked great, though a little underpowered for high-speed trolling. But it was extremely light. My current boat is a 19.5' and I have a 9.9 4-stroke. I love it, as it uses gas from the main tank. But it's bigger, heavier, and more expensive.
Another factor is availability. It's usually hard to find a good, used kicker--even harder to find a used 4-stroke kicker. Good luck.