As a newbie to boating, I recently bought a 2005 17' hourston that came with a Yamaha 90 hp 4 stroke engine, and I'd like to add a kicker. I see a lot of boats with 9.9hp kickers, but I'm wondering if it would be too much weight on the transom or if it would make the boat a little too stern heavy? How does one determine the minimum HP for a kicker? Since I can't find any specs for the boat online, I thought I'd ask for some advice. Thanks!
Newbie needs advice for a Kicker
- Thread starter mryakker
- Start date
sly_karma
Crew Member
The 90 hp can probably be throttled down slow enough for trolling in most situations - may require some additional control hardware. Now the question is if you want a kicker as a spare 'get me home' motor. Some people don't like running up hours on the main and want the kicker to do that work, but as you suspect, there are real costs beyond the purchase of the motor: weight, complexity, rigging, security (surely nothing is stolen more often in the boating world than kicker motors).
In a lot of outboard lineups, the 8 hp, 9.9 and sometimes 15 hp are all built on the same platform, rated output is determined by fuel management. Some have a slightly different lower unit, but generally they will weigh the same within a couple of pounds. Ancillary hardware hanging off that transom is more significant: that electric start, power tilt/trim unit is gonna weigh a good bit more than a simple pull start manual tilt.
If you envisage that you'll be fishing areas with fast tidal currents, you'll want the torque of an 8 hp or 9.9, but a 6 hp would mostly do it for a 17 ft hull. Actually you could probably just add a second large deep cycle and go with an electric troller for silent operation and never a risk of bad gas. Would electric get you home from out in the middle of the Strait though? Ummm no
In a lot of outboard lineups, the 8 hp, 9.9 and sometimes 15 hp are all built on the same platform, rated output is determined by fuel management. Some have a slightly different lower unit, but generally they will weigh the same within a couple of pounds. Ancillary hardware hanging off that transom is more significant: that electric start, power tilt/trim unit is gonna weigh a good bit more than a simple pull start manual tilt.
If you envisage that you'll be fishing areas with fast tidal currents, you'll want the torque of an 8 hp or 9.9, but a 6 hp would mostly do it for a 17 ft hull. Actually you could probably just add a second large deep cycle and go with an electric troller for silent operation and never a risk of bad gas. Would electric get you home from out in the middle of the Strait though? Ummm no
scott craven
Well-Known Member
In that case I would look for a 6 hp 2 stroke and run a small portable of mixed gas.
Weight about 50 lbs
Make sure you start at least once a month and use Stabil
Weight about 50 lbs
Make sure you start at least once a month and use Stabil
Last edited:
willydw
Active Member
As Scott said. Mixed gas will be needed.
SpringVelocity
Crew Member
No it isn't too much weight. May need to put batteries other side. I would get the 9.9 4 stroke. If you ever have to sell it separately they tend to keep value.
scott craven
Well-Known Member
Doesn't make sense to hang 100 lb kicker off the back that isn't going to be used much.
May as well lighten the load.
May as well lighten the load.
SpringVelocity
Crew Member
My 16ft double eagle I had had a Yamaha T8 high thrust on it. In fast currents loved it.
Many times I came in on kicker only. Actually kicking myself I didn't put a 15hp when I re powered.
Anyway good luck on whatever you buy....
Many times I came in on kicker only. Actually kicking myself I didn't put a 15hp when I re powered.
Anyway good luck on whatever you buy....
salmonkiller01
Well-Known Member
Go 4 stroke 6 or 8 hp. Plumb into main tank, so much easier and you can run the kicker to save hours on your main. Crazy how many hours you put on a kicker using it for trolling. I have 100 hour on my main in 2 years and about 1000 on the kicker
scott craven
Well-Known Member
Only 57 lbs for the 6 hp Tohatsu
Not sure about the dealer network
Not sure about the dealer network
Seaspanker
Active Member
stick with the more reputable brands Yamaha is a nice kicker , Honda is a nice kicker , fuel line right from your main tank no mixing , got to have enough power to get you up the current or thru the waves , just my two cents would say get a 8 hp
Ancient Mariner
Member
I would go with an 8 or 9.9 . Anything smaller is 1 cylinder. 17 hourston very popular boat and most have kickers on them that are used for fishing. Should be able to talk with someone who actually owns one.
Fishin
Well-Known Member
Have an 8hp and a 115 on my 89 17’ hourston, moved cannon balls to the opposite side and really doesn’t effect it much wouldn’t want any less power you won’t regret having the extra power trolling into the wind and tide especially if the main fails you’ll be able to make it back a lot safer.
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Yamaha 4 stroke 8hp hi thrust can’t go wrong
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