About Kickers????

[Mike7759]

I'm on the fence about buying a kicker. I know I want one but not sure if it is worth the money. I'm looking at a Nissan 9.8. I don't need one that big but I wanted twin cylinders and the 8hp is the same weight and only $100 less than the 9.8.

My boat is a Alumicraft 165 with a 75hp Merc 4 stroke. The main can troll all day and with a plate or socks I can get it down below 2 mph. I have a 24v 80lb trolling motor which can cover speeds from .1-2.0 mph. So I really don't absolutely need one.

Why I want one? I had trouble with this engine before, bad gas, not the engines fault, but it happened a long way from the ramp. I fish on Ft Peck and would like to have a back-up. I like the idea of using less gas. I like the idea of running at lower speeds for trolling and saving my electric for boar positioning.

Kicker owners, what do you think?
No Kicker? Do you want one?

Mike

[Phil T]

Ft. Peck? Yes you need a second means of getting back to your trailer. This opinion is from a guy who lives 16 miles south of Sakakawea, and has farmland 40 miles from Devils Lake. Bad gas in your boat's tank? Been there, done that. If you buy a kicker, have a separate fuel supply, maybe a small OB tank will fit under your splashwell. Mine does.

[Wade B AKA: Ruger2506]

Originally Posted by Mike7759

Kicker owners, what do you think?


Mike

I guess I'm not sure. I've got a kicker but I've got a bigger boat/motor than you. However I have always thought if I had a tiller with a 75 hp I'd probably have a kicker on that rig as well. Trolling plate and drift socks are just a PITA. Not using them is almost worth the 2-3k.

If I didn't get a kicker I'd put a Terrova 101# and Vantage 101# on there for sure.

[hunts2long]

I have a 18' Targa with 90 4s. Also have a Nissan 8 4s. Great for trolling. Always nice to have a back up. I was towing in a boat last year and the woman in the boat asked why I had two motors. I told her, so I don't have to be on that end of the rope....hunts2long

[duckbutter]

I wouldn't be without my kicker, but I do a lot of trolling in the hotter months, from mid June thru mid September. Aside from the issue of having another means of getting off the water if you have trouble with your big motor, the real question to me is " How much trolling are you going to do?" If it's a lot, then you defintely want a kicker, if it's not, playing the other games probably works. Good luck and tight lines.

[Mike7759]

I do quite a bit of trolling. Bottom bouncers in June and Cranks in Summer.

[VTGooseman]

Ive got a 16.5 foot Lund with a 75hp Merc and I have a honda 4s kicker. I wouldnt be without it, Its peace of mind that I can always make it back to the ramp. Not only that but you will save money every time you fire it up vs. the main motor.

[Big Tyee]

9.9 Merc kicker love it. I have a Terrova 101# but like my 4 stroke 9.9, some times I try to start it and it's already running,very quiet. I bet I have ten times more hours on my 9.9 than my main motor, 200 Merc.

[Drummer Boy]

I have fished Fort Peck that is some desolate country, I would not go out there with out a kicker.

[AllenW]

185 Tourny Sport with a F150 and T-8 kicker.

I do a lot of trolling and I wouldn't buy a boat with out a kicker.

Better to have and not use, than not to have, in this case imho
But I'm betting if you troll a lot, you'll make good use of it.

Al