Kicker Motors

[RedDB76]

Hey guys, I'm looking to pick up a kicker motor this spring, and have some questions. It will mount on a '86 Lund Renegade - I have a 90 hp Merc ('86 as well) on it for the main motor (doesn't troll down to less than 2.5 mph). I will use the kicker primarily for trolling. The boat has a 20" transom height...however, with the V in the transom, the height where the kicker will mount is approximately 17". So, here's my questions....

1) Do I need a 20" shaft here, or would a 15" shaft give me what I'm looking for?

2) Would I gain anything using a mounting bracket over just clamping the motor on the transom?

3) I'm looking at 8 and 9.9 hp, I've had some people suggest going down to 6....but I don't want to be underpowered. What should be the minimum to consider?

4) Any motor recommendations? I'd ideally like to spend around $1000 - which would put me with a used motor. I've looked into Nissan/Tohatsu which I could pick up for about $1500-$1700 for a brand new 4-stroke.

Thanks!

Dan

[Phred52]

RedDB76, Last spring I picked up a Yammy 8 hp high thrust 4 stroke. I'm impressed with how slow it'll troll down and stay running smoothly. The thing that dissappointed me was, on my transom (on a 1660 Lund Pro V) there wasn't enough width to mount the motor on the Port side, It wouldn't allow full stop to stop steering. So, it's transom mounted behind the console. Without passengers, the boat tilts to the starboard. Though I did learn at the end of the season that I could lock the kicker straight foreward and use my 70 horse with the wheel to steer. This year I'm going to try mounting it on the port side again and not worry about the stop to stop thing. At trolling speeds, I don't need to be able to "turn on a dime" anyway. I had considered a 6 hp, but the "price was too right". I hope this helps you out, It's major bucks anyway you go, Good luck!

[ChuckN]

Dan,

I would recommend a long shaft kicker (20"), but I have used short shaft motors for trolling and it works ok. Backtrolling will not work very well with a short shaft.

I would just clamp the motor onto the transom.

I've had 9.9 and a 15hp 4-stroke kickers. For trolling you really do not need a lot of hp, so buy what you feel comfortable with. If your main motor fails, it is nice to have the extra hp to get you to shore in a pinch.

Personally, I would look for a used kicker 4-stroke motor. When it comes to needing parts/service for Nissan and Tohatsu's you have to realize some dealers may not be able to assist you. That's my only fear, but I've never owned one so I don't know. I've almost bought new overstock Yamaha 4 stroke kickers for $1700. There are some out there, just search around.

Good luck!

[Northlander]

I highly recomend the Yamaha T-8 kicker. Everyone I know that has one loves them.

[chunkytrout]

Couple of things regarding trolling brackets.

1. Allows the use of a short shaft kickers.

2. Moves the kicker further back from the transom in the down position.

3. Pulls a short shaft kicker clean out of the water when under way with your primary motor.

4. Makes connecting to console steering alot more difficult.

These are things I have found with my trolling rig.

Good luck on your purchase. Welcome to FM Dan!

[Tripleplay]

Just a couple of comments. I previously had a Lund Predator mid-80's(now the smallest Pro V) and decided I need a kicker as well more for backup than anything as my bigger motor did troll down very well. I went with a short shaft Mercury 8hp to match my other Merc. It did fit on the transom, although it was definitely a tight fit--in fact if the motor was tilted the opposite direction for traveling it scratched the decal and cover just slightly (learned the hard way).

The 8hp worked just fine for my boat which with the exception of the console was pretty similar in size to yours. If I had it to do over again I would have probably waited for a long shaft, but that is not based on the motors performance more on the fact that I always thought I would have gotten even better performance by having more clearance underneath with the longer shaft.

Unless you want to link the kicker to your big motor to steer from the console, anytime you add the mounting bracket you are just reaching back farther and honest truth is you may need to move a pedestal base to that corner so you can steer comfortably (you may have to do anyways even when mounted on the transom).

Everybody has more experience with the brands and used versus new argument, but since I had a similar boat and setup thought I'd share a bit.

[RedDB76]

EXCELLENT info guys! Thanks a ton - I wish I had stumbled across this site long before last month!