6hp vs 8hp/9.9hp Kicker

[Flounder_pounder]

Hi all, I'm looking for advice/thoughts from those who have upgraded from a 6hp to a 8/9.9HP? The 6hp tohatsu that came with my boat (2013 stabicraft 2050) had been mostly sitting for ~6-8 yrs before I purchased it, so It's been a constant maintenance battle to keep it functional. It's also a bit shorter then I'd like (comes up out of the water when trolling big swell), and I find it very loud. I typically just use the main (Honda 150) to troll, so I'm looking into getting a longer shaft 2 cylinder kicker. From the reading I've done, it sounds like the 2 cylinder kickers (8hp+) are noticably smoother... They also have the option for charging, which would be nice when trolling and running those downriggers all day. Now my dilemna is that the boat typically runs a little port-heavy already, and it looks like i'll be adding ~40-50lbs weight. For those who have run both, is there a noticable difference in sound/performance 6hp vs 8/9.9hp. And also, for those who have done the switch, did you notice the weight much? I'm not too concerned about the weight, as I can just shuffle stuff around to balance it out.
Oh ya, and for those who might also suggest a small DC generator and DC trolling motor... I'm not interested. I'm going to stick with the more traditional gas option

 

[ClintR]

Way back I had a Yamaha 6hp twin cylinder and currently have a 2014 Yamaha 8hp. The 6 was a way smoother/quieter motor than the newer one is.

 

[kaelc]

DC Generator?

I've had a 9.9 honda matched to my Honda 150, 15+ years old and I was a little concerned about it this spring but she's running great again this year. It does well, even long days of running downriggers. autopilot/radar and dual screens it seems to keep up. She sure makes a lot of noise compared to the 150. If balancing weight is an issue, I'd look into new Lifep04 dual-purpose batteries to reduce weight if you are running dual batteries on each side.

 

[Flounder_pounder]

DC Generator?

I've had a 9.9 honda matched to my Honda 150, 15+ years old and I was a little concerned about it this spring but she's running great again this year. It does well, even long days of running downriggers. autopilot/radar and dual screens it seems to keep up. She sure makes a lot of noise compared to the 150. If balancing weight is an issue, I'd look into new Lifep04 dual-purpose batteries to reduce weight if you are running dual batteries on each side.

Thanks Kaelc! I was looking through a bunch of old kicker posts and noticed that Zurk hops on every one and suggests a DC generator c/w electric kicker... figured i'd just nip that post in the butt off the bat Do you have the tiller control model? Or is it all up front with your main? Good suggestion on the battery -*edit - Can you use lithium for a cranking battery?

 

[kaelc]

Yeah, I have my 9.9 tied into the main. It's a remote start, tilt and throttle. Autopilot works with both and the 9.9 and main, I have a trollmaster remote throttle just for 9.9. I can send you a video on how it all works, I have a YouTube video I'm currently getting edited that shows some of my systems. You can see it “working” in my Ukee and Renfrew videos.

Only dual purpose lifepo4 lithium can be used for starting. Brands like Dakota and a few others have them. Definitely some weight savings.

Bow mounted Electric trolling motors batteries can be charged with both shore power and the mains alternator, adding a DC generator seems “complicated”! I think electric trolling motors are best used for jigging/spot lock but admit I haven't bit the bullet and added one yet. Couple members have them but not sure if any use them for traditional trolling.

 

[Flounder_pounder]

Yeah, I have my 9.9 tied into the main. It's a remote start, tilt and throttle. Autopilot works with both and the 9.9 and main, I have a trollmaster remote throttle just for 9.9. I can send you a video on how it all works, I have a YouTube video I'm currently getting edited that shows some of my systems. You can see it “working” in my Ukee and Renfrew videos.

Only dual purpose lifepo4 lithium can be used for starting. Brands like Dakota and a few others have them. Definitely some weight savings.

Bow mounted Electric trolling motors batteries can be charged with both shore power and the mains alternator, adding a DC generator seems “complicated”! I think electric trolling motors are best used for jigging/spot lock but admit I haven't bit the bullet and added one yet. Couple members have them but not sure if any use them for traditional trolling.

Thanks! I ran a bow-mount on my older lake boat and loved it. I’ve got nothing against electric motors, but I’m more comfortable with a gas kicker as a backup/rescue motor. I’m interested in seeing your set-up for sure.

 

[easydoesit]

Stuff happens as the saying goes. My main went into overtemp situation and I had to shut it down. I was in the Fraser river by Steveston and used the kicker to get back upriver to the launch. I was glad I had a 9.9 HP kicker instead of the 6HP I traded in.

A little extra power can be useful at times.

 

[trophywife]

i had a 6, adjusted the throw on the linkage and put a steeper pitch prop on it. less weight and pushed like a 9.9

 

[easydoesit]

I haven't seen a recommendation for a high thrust version. It’s an important distinction to get the most thrust out of your kicker for trolling or backup.

 

[Flounder_pounder]

I haven't seen a recommendation for a high thrust version. It’s an important distinction to get the most thrust out of your kicker for trolling or backup.

Was there a noticeable reduction in noise going from the 6hp - 9.9?

 

[easydoesit]

Was there a noticeable reduction in noise going from the 6hp - 9.9?

Yes. Couple of reasons. The 6 HP was a 2 stroke and the 9.9 is a newer 4 stroke, noticeably quieter and running at lower rpm’s with the bigger high thrust prop.

 

[uclueletcharters]

From my understanding the Tohatsu 6hp is a single cylinder. I have had a couple single cylinder outboards a yami and a merc. They are light and good for a lake boat or dingy easy to toss in the trunk or packing up and down the beach. As a kicker a 2 cylinder will be a lot smoother and less vibration. Going from a 20 hp yami 2 cylinder to a 25 merc 3 cylinder was smoother again in operation but the weight between the 2 cylinder and the 3 cylinder in significant. A 9.9 high thrust will definitely be a lot stronger of a trolling motor than a 6hp single cylinder both in thrust and smoothness during operation.