Tohatsu Kicker Question
 

I do not know anything about what size kickers V20's can handle, but I am looking to pick up an older Tohatsu 25hp tiller to use as a kicker. I have a 4.3 merc in my V and am not sure what the transom can handle and how to go about figuring out what is a good size. I know for sure that it isn't the lightest boat out there and size is of the utmost importance. Any thoughts?

You have to understand that a kicker engine will not get your boat up on plane, so your hull will be acting like a displacement hull. Basically that means that as you pile on more and more HP at the rear of the boat, the underwater bow wave at the front of the boat increases the resistance of the water against your hull. So while you may think that a 30HP engine will make you go faster than say a 9.9, in fact there's very little improvement.. Yes, you'll go faster, but not a lot, and you'll burn a lot more fuel trying to do it. A kicker is really useful as a trolling engine or an emergency "get home" engine. As for myself, I have a 9.8 hp Mercury longshaft mounted on my boat and I'm very happy with it. Personally I wouldn't think of mounting anything larger than a 15 HP engine.

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i had a 7.5 honda on a 19 mako i used to own, it was perfect. since u have an I/O, be nice to find a small 4 stroke

Great info gentlemen!! I am not concern with speed obviously , just to make it back to shore in the event of a mishap.Nantucket sound has taken many good men over the years, I'd hate to be one of them! What is the smallest you would go?

Destroyer, Nice set up!!! I like that!!!

7.5 smallest.... 15 biggest....

25.... No dice

Thought I would share a little info that I found out about the small Yamaha motors.

The Yamaha 2 stroke 9.9 and 15 hp motors are the same motor. The 15 hp has different reed stops. The 15 hp reeds are allowed to open further letting the motor breath.

We have an old 15 hp Yamaha on a RIB tender. Great little motor and it really moves the RIB along. However it is thirsty. Weights about 80 lbs.

You wouldn't have to lift or move it so a 4 stroke would probably make more sense unless you run into a good deal on an old 2 stroker.

A lot of 9.9s are dummied down 15s.
Here in NJ, there are only 2 lakes that allow more than 9.9hp.
Some guys use 15s with 9.9 stickers...until the ranger gives them a ticket:bat:

Great Info on the motors!!! Thanks Guys