new kicker needed--opinions?

[Tsquared]

I am in the market for a new kicker on my 17.5 double eagle. I am thinking either a 8 or 9.9 hp 4 stroke Yamaha or Honda. I am currently looking for a used one, no more than 3 or 4 years old but I may have to go new if I can't find one in good shape. Does anyone have any opinion on Honda over Yammy or viceversa?
T2

 

[blueorca]

Yamaha!
Check out Parkers in Campbell River. They have a couple of very nice used units.
I just bought a 9.9 long shaft high thrust two weeks ago in great shape, and got a great deal. Staff and service is worth it, too.

boc

 

[fishwish]

Yamaha gets my vote!

Fish Wish

 

[Tsquared]

Thanks boys--I'll be looking.
T2

 

[salmon9]

I have owned both and think either would be a great kicker for you. With proper maintenance, frequent oil changes in particular, either outbaord will last you a long time. I think an 8 hp is all you need and you might be able to pick up a Honda a little cheaper than a Yammie. I probably would price both out by calling some dealers and also enquire about remote trottle controls. The remote trottle pricing may drive your decision. The winter is a good time to buy, dealers should be able to drop their prices a bit.

 

[TheRock]

I have a Honda 9.9 4strk. power thrust, 4 bladed prop. Awesome trolling motor.. Highly recommend it ! Actually I have seen the performance stats comparing the Honda 9.9 to the Yamaha 9.9 and the Honda out does the Yamaha! The Honda 9.9 kicker has a much larger charging coil !! outputs more power to charge your batteries and run all your electronics and equipment.. to me that is very important on my boat running two batteries and tons of electronics and 4 Scotty electrics ect. ect... You can't go wrong with either motor really... their both great... if you do go with a Honda 9.9 and are looking to buy a 16' throttle control unit for it I have a spare one I can sell you!!!

 

[TheRock]

In my opinion if your boat is less than 18' I guess you can get away with a 8 hp kicker.. however I highly recommend to go with a 9.9.. my reason is.. trolling,and keeping your gear at a consistent speed in a current and trying to stay on the hot spot while the bite is on!!! with a 9.9 power thrust you can assure your self you have enough power... I am able to sit in a current trolling and staying on the hot spot while the rest of the fleet of boats get pushed miles away down the current in la la land way off the spot...! while we are landing our last spring for our limit! with no one around us lol.. In my experiences... buy the 9.9 !!! you can never have enough engine power on the water...

 

[Gooey Bob]

I'd go Yamaha as well but I'd look in to the new 8 hp with power trim\tilt. Costs a little more than the manual tilt, but combine it with an easy troll and a dual binnacle and you've got the ultimate in a lazy mans trolling system! Saves a fair amount of time and BS when the bites on, too.

As far as needing the power of a high thrust 9.9 on an 18 footer I seriously doubt an 8 would be underpowered in any situation. I've used the 9.9 Yamaha on boats up to 24 feet in West Coast Vancouver Island conditions and have never felt starved for power for trolling. If its that windy, head home! If the currents that strong, troll downstream!

Bob

 

[TheRock]

Gooey Bob, I have to disagree with you... I've been fishing on my friends boat, a 20' Trophy numerous fo times and he has a 8hp Yamaha with the power tilt, great motor, love the power tilt option, however it does the job but I felt it was under powered for trolling on that boat. I felt that a 9.9 had that little extra torque over an 8hp motor to keep your fishing gear at a true steady speed and is easier to steer your boat and maintain coarse. One of my first boats was a 18' 1/2' Campion, I had an 8hp kicker on it and trolled with it for many years.. it did a good job.. until I replaced it with a 9.9 kicker.. . What a difference!! Your comment " Saves a fair amount of time and BS when the bites on, too" I have to disagree all so.. doesn't make any sence at all... when your all ready trolling your kicker is all ready down and is running and your steering is all ready set up.. Their is no motor B.S to deal with while your fishing even when their is a bit on... Before you start fishing you start up the kicker and click on the steering bar.. and you don't have to touch it again till your done for the day with all the rods in the boat with your limit of springs and then you turn off the kicker. If you have to deal with motor B.S while fishing, obviously your telling me that your not a very good fisherman! I all so like to mention that a kicker is all so a security feature for your back up motor in case your main motor fails.. I'd rather have a 9.9 hp over an 8hp kicker any day.. I have to disagree with you other comment as well, "If its that windy, head home! If the currents that strong, troll downstream!" That's all ways your choice when and where to fish dependant on the current and wind... basically your advertising that your a fair weather fisherman... maybe the sport of "Golf" is better suited for you...

 

[Gooey Bob]

Hey Rock:

Easy on the disrespect dude, everyones opinion is valid and different opinions don't warrant name calling.

I've been employed continuously in the Fishing Guide and Lodge business for over 25 years now, in locations ranging from Langara Island to Sooke with a focus on West Coast QCI and West Coast WCVI.

Fair weather fisherman -I hardly think so! Comfort and safety oriented for my guests - you bet!!!

I guess you only fish one location in order to limit out each day. I sure wish I was that good! In the ****** areas I fish, you are often reuired to change locations in order to respond to one of your fellow guides informing you that a bite is on somewhere else. When you're an old guy like me (or at least terribly weak and unfit, anyway)tilting the kicker in 2 to 4 meter seas amounts to dangerous BS and can actually take a bit of valuable "bite time". Ditto for putting the damn thing back down when you arrive at your next location. Even worse with an extended transom.

In my limited experience, sitting stuck in one place trolling "upstream" is simply a waste of time. How many wounded bait fish typically swim upstream? Great presentation dude! Sitting in one spot hogging the hole while bucking the tide is also a good way to upset those around you that may wish to fish through the hole going the right way!!!

As far as safety goes, you'd NEVER catch me on a boat in any West Coast situation that didn't have two motors. That being said, is your 9.9 getting you up on a plane? Is that 1.9 HP actually going to make that much difference if you're running home on the kicker? Hmmm.. bit of a stretch if you ask me. I'd be more worried about my butt hanging off the transom at least twice per day if I was you!

I respect your opinion of what makes a great kicker combo and admit freely that you may be right. In my world, and on my boats, youre not right, but that doesn't necessarily mean you should take up golf.

I'm pretty bad at golf so I guess I'll just stick to fishin'!

Bob

 

[Saltwater Cowboy]

Watch you self rock, your bordering on being a jerk real early in your membership!! I have a 20 1/2 foot Grady White with a 8hp power tilt yamaha kicker and that is a very heavy boat compared to a trophy and I troll with no problems and it provides plenty of back up power in an emergency! Yes I could have more power back there if I wanted to get home quicker in an emergency but then you factor in more weight and cost as well as fuel consumption. The main purpose of the motor is to troll and I troll in Browns Bay area, campbell river, west coast and everywhere in between, and 90% of the time I'm outfishing the boats around me so I must have an ample kicker!! As for no hassle with a non power tilt motor, do you not move where the bait is or where the wind isn't blowing so hard? If so you have to pull up that kicker and take off that tie bar etc... Plus when playing a big fish I usually have to reduce the speed on my motor and by having a dual binnacle I can do that very easy as I don't have to leave the helm to go back to the motor and I can constantly be changing speed depending on other people having fish on and having to move, current, changing directions, most people don't set their throttle for the day and never touch it again! Next time you force your oppinion down someone else's throat in such a rude manner I would give your head a shake and think first!! Other than that You probably have some valuable advie to offer this forum just phrase it differently!

SW COWBOY

I do the Fishing, God does the Catching!

 

[Red Monster]

Ditto Saltwater and Gooey on the disrespect for sure.

That said, I'd go with the 9.9 for a few more bucks because there are lots of situations where the extra power comes in handy. You get what you pay for, and the 9.9 (that I bought new two years ago) on my 18 foot boat works like a charm. Sure, I could use less, but the 9.9 is perfect, better than the 7.5 I used before.

And as a second motor, you do want more power for an emergency. For a bigger boat, I'd personally use more than a 9.9: it's an insurance policy that you hope you never need to use, but you pay for it any ways. <img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle>

PS: My buddy recently purchased a 17 foot Double Eagle which we fished in Renny this past summer, and its old 9.9 Honda worked great.


Remember, it's called "fishing," not "catching."

 

[TheRock]

Hey Gooey Bob:
Sorry to have offended, not intended, just trying to make a point by razzing ya a little, all in good fun/humour.
For Saltwater Cowboy: Stay out of it! Its between Gooey Bob and I.. I'm sure Gooey Bob can defend for himself.. your opinions and suggestions are all ways welcomed, is what makes this forum so great.
If I had to go out and buy a new kicker I would pick a 9.9hp over a 8 hp. but that's just me, every one has their own purpose and reasoning for their purchase.. so .. Tsquared, I hope I have helped you to decide what is right for you... That is all I have to say..

 

[yammy5]

The Rock lives up to his name! lol. 'But it looks like G-Bob can handle himself. That said, I also think a 9.9 is the way to go. I've tried smaller kickers but have been happiest with the power of a 9.9, especially now that I have a 5000+lb boat. Consider that an 8hp engine has to run at a higher RPM to acheive the same power as a 9.9 which means the engine will constantly be working harder which is harder on the engine and could reduce it's life expectancy. I suppose it also depends on where you fish and the size of your boat - with a lighter boat and calmer waters it might not be an issue. If the power trim is more important to you then the Yammy 8hp might be a consideration.

 

[nedarb2]

How bout a 15 horse? <img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle>

To fish or not to fish,
What a stupid question!
Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, teach a man to fish, and he will sit on a boat drinking beer for a life time
TGIF =Thank God It Floats

 

[Tailspin]

Power tilt is for yuppies !!!LOL

 

[Gooey Bob]

All right, I just got off the phone with our Yamaha dealer and here's a solution that should make everyone happy!

For 2006 Yamaha will be producing a 9.9 high thrust kicker with power tilt\trim.

Costs a bit more, built with a 15 hp block so its a little heavier than the 8 but solves the tilt issue (I guess you could call me a yuppie since I now spend as much time behind a desk as I do behind the wheel of my boat!)and provides plenty of juice for those of you who don't maintain your big motor and have to run in on the kicker all the time. <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Bob

PS: Thanks for the support in keeping the negativity away from the site. It'll help keep good info flowing.

 

[eaglemaniac]

Hey rock and gooey: You guys certainly have opened up a good topic. You have also opened up the question of respect for your fellow posters. Nobody is trying to be the answer. We should feel that our contribution might help someone. It's the diversity of the people on this site, that makes it so interesting as well as informative. Ihope that you both continue to contribute your opinins etc. It looks like Yamaha 9.9 won. I wish I could afford one. Eman

 

[PinchMe]

I find this thread quite interesting for a couple reasons.
1) Guys can get quite 'testy' when it comes to their power, but in the end it's whatever works best for the boat and your unique circumstance that counts.
2) I'm about to install an 8hp Yamaha with power tilt/trim on my 18' Crestliner I/O. According to the varied opinions expressed here, I've made the right choice.
I'm interested in installing a hydraulic actuator with remote control for steering, any opinions? I already have hydraulic power steering on my main, can I tap into that system for my kicker (without powering up the main)? Any ideas who could do a professional installation on this setup, I'm in the Victoria area?

 

[salmon9]

PinchMe, Jenkins Marine behind the Victoria General Hospital does custom boat work for SG Power. I am not sure if they can help but their number is 479-2244.