Do I need a kicker motor?

[roffey]

Originally Posted by Genie Aye

Here in the NW--I run the lakes without my kicker quite often--but on the saltwater--the kicker is always on the boat with fresh gas and ready to go, just to get me in if needed--and it will happen sooner or later--I have used it several times over 35 years of boating---Crap happens.

I think I can get a 20 hp for $1500. Is that to much? I can wait until next fall when the deals are on...

[awthacker]

You can buy an annual SeaTow or Towboat US membership for $150 per year. I wouldn't want anything to do with a kicker. Just an expensive accessory you'll never use. Face it... You're not pushing your boat 25 miles up river with a 9.9.

[Genie Aye]

Is the boat you are using the one in your avatar? A 20 hp is probably more than you need--it is just a back up--a 9.9 would probably do the job, after all it sounds like a back up and it is just a back up that will get you in to somewhere safe.

If you do not want a back up/repatition on board your boat and you want to count on sea tow or whoever when you get in trouble--then that is up to you---but if she is going to break down--it will be at the most inopportune time--and waiting for a tow boat may not save you or your boat---but do as you may

[roffey]

Originally Posted by Genie Aye

Is the boat you are using the one in your avatar? A 20 hp is probably more than you need--it is just a back up--a 9.9 would probably do the job, after all it sounds like a back up and it is just a back up that will get you in to somewhere safe.

If you do not want a back up/repatition on board your boat and you want to count on sea tow or whoever when you get in trouble--then that is up to you---but if she is going to break down--it will be at the most inopportune time--and waiting for a tow boat may not save you or your boat---but do as you may

yup that's my girl. I do agree all I want is to get off the water if in trouble. Never having had a boat this big I was not sure how big a motor I need.

[Genie Aye]

Originally Posted by roffey

yup that's my girl. I do agree all I want is to get off the water if in trouble. Never having had a boat this big I was not sure how big a motor I need.

A 9.9 will move her--a 20 would work as well--but bigger and harder to store or mount on the boat. The difference in speed would probabley be negligble between the 2 engines--

[Destroyer]

Just remember that since you will not be getting up on plane with an engine that small, your boat will act like a displacement hull. Meaning that the more hp you add at the stern, the more resistance you will have at the bow. So the difference in speed between a 9.9 and a 20 or even a 40 hp kicker are really not that great. There is some, but not really what you would expect.

[roffey]

.. and that was the information I was looking for. I agree the boat will never get up on the water with a outboard motor. A 9.9 is most likely my best value or maybe I should get one of those new 8 cylinder 5.7 liter outboards. What are they, 400 plus hp, LOL.

[Genie Aye]

Destroer--exactly was I was trying to say--you said it much clearer.

Maybe you need the 6.2 turbo charged outboard--rated at 557HP---that will move her for ya.

[nymack66]

This little 5 HP 4 Soak save my butt a couple of times ....