Fuel burn with single 9.5 hp

[jasoncooperpcola]

What about the speed with other size kickers? Lets say a 9.9, 15, 20, & 25hp kicker. I would like to have a kicker on my V and am considering a 25.

[yodaddy]

Originally Posted by jasoncooperpcola

What about the speed with other size kickers? Lets say a 9.9, 15, 20, & 25hp kicker. I would like to have a kicker on my V and am considering a 25.

I'm running a Yamaha 15 and get about 7mph, and burn about 1.5 gph wide open. The hull speed of a V20 is approx 7 mph, so that's all you'll get with 15,20, or 25 hp. The only advantage to the higher horsepower is if you're running against a current or heavy wind.

[smokeonthewater]

Originally Posted by yodaddy

I'm running a Yamaha 15 and get about 7mph, and burn about 1.5 gph wide open. The hull speed of a V20 is approx 7 mph, so that's all you'll get with 15,20, or 25 hp. The only advantage to the higher horsepower is if you're running against a current or heavy wind.

higher hp will help in a head wind and in waves but not against a current.... 7mph top speed against a 7mph current = 0mph

[yodaddy]

Originally Posted by smokeonthewater

higher hp will help in a head wind and in waves but not against a current.... 7mph top speed against a 7mph current = 0mph

Right you are. Thanks for the correction.

[Destroyer]

The thing to remember is what Yodaddy said. "The hull speed" is around 7mph. For those that don't understand that, he means that as a displacement hull (Not counting, tide, current, wind or other outside forces) the most you'll be able to do is around 7 mph, no matter what size engine you mount. As you come up on plane, and less of the hull is in the water, your speed will increase, but if you cannot get on plane then count on about 7mph tops.

For me, I run a Honda 9.9 4-stroke as my kicker. But I just aquired a Mercury 9.8 2-stroke long shaft electric start. Since it matches my Merc 200's cowl I think I'm going to switch and use the Honda just for fresh water. I like the 9.9 size speed, it's just about perfect for trolling in a V.

[jasoncooperpcola]

Ok I just learned something new. What size kicker would be good for use offshore where I might encounter strong winds and current if I have to use it to come in due to a main engine failure? At what point is it overkill and am churning water for nothing?

[yodaddy]

Originally Posted by jasoncooperpcola

Ok I just learned something new. What size kicker would be good for use offshore where I might encounter strong winds and current if I have to use it to come in due to a main engine failure? At what point is it overkill and am churning water for nothing?

I do offshore (30+ miles) in a V20 and have a 15 hp kicker. Had a main engine breakdown one time 10-12 miles out in wind and chop, and with the kicker at times we were only making 3kts headway, but made it home. A pusher prop also helps a lot.