Kicker Motors

[deanna]

What would the best size be for an 18.5 foot Princecraft be. Any info woud be appreciated

[fishinmatt]

9.9 will work nicely.

[Okotokian]

I've got a 17.5" Princecraft with a 15hp Mercury 4 stroke for a kicker (Main engine is a 115 hp Mercury). Came with the boat when I bought it second hand. It's really way more than I need for trolling in any conditions. I guess it will be good to get me back to shore if my main engine ever gives up, I can cruise along at a pretty good clip with it, but as I said, way more than I need for trolling. I'd get a 9 hp if I were you. It will also be less weight on your back end than a 15.

If you get it, talk to me about remote steering and throttle controls so you don't have to go back and steer the thing. I just put on a TrollMaster remote throttle control device and have had a steering link to my main engine for some time.

[skidderman]

Originally Posted by fishinmatt

9.9 will work nicely.

This!!!!!

[ROA]

There are special high thrust versions of 9.9's they have a bigger diameter prop. I have a yamaha T9.9 electric start with trim on an 18 foot and its the cats ass. Top speed about 6mph and idle speed of around 1mph.

Some things to think about. If you are going to be running with the kicker tipped up in big waves with lots of pounding with a manual tilt motor the assembly can break from bouncing around. That is why I went with electric trim. You will have to meaure to see if you need a short, long or extra long shaft so the kicker prop will sit below the bottom of the boat (if it is mounted right on the transom) One time I tried a short shaft on a 17foot lund when I realy needed an extra long shaft and found that turning sucked big time and the thing would just cavitate if you gave it much throttle due to the prop not sitting below the bottom of the boat.

A 6hp would also do the trick for your 18foot boat..

[fish99]

go with the pro 9.9 power tilt and electric start u will be glad u did.

[The Spank]

Buy yourself the Merc 9.9 Pro Kicker. It is specifically designed as a kicker motor.

[bobalong]

Originally Posted by deanna

What would the best size be for an 18.5 foot Princecraft be. Any info woud be appreciated

Just curious do you have a bow mount already? If not I would go with an I-Pilot 24v-80lb.-60" bow mount over the kicker. More control on the front and much nicer trolling without the noise. Kicker is nicer for a backup motor but I like the electric for fishing much better.

[EZM]

You should select the motor based on what options you want and how you fish.

Down-rigging and trolling - many guys prefer remote (helm) steering.

If you want electric start, power tilt and the remote steer - it's likely only going to be available in a 9.9 hp or up.

If you want a tiller steer, anything like a 6,8 or 9.9 is just fine.

Also look at how many amps (if any) you want your motor to send back to your cranking battery bank.

The selection of the "best" kicker motor really depends on how you use it and what you want/need - not all HP's come with all the options.

[Ken07AOVette]

Originally Posted by EZM

You should select the motor based on what options you want and how you fish.

Down-rigging and trolling - many guys prefer remote (helm) steering.

If you want electric start, power tilt and the remote steer - it's likely only going to be available in a 9.9 hp or up.

If you want a tiller steer, anything like a 6,8 or 9.9 is just fine.

Also look at how many amps (if any) you want your motor to send back to your cranking battery bank.

The selection of the "best" kicker motor really depends on how you use it and what you want/need - not all HP's come with all the options.

Not trying to argue but my t8 has electric start tilt trim and remote steering. It will run forever on very little fuel.

[ROA]

Originally Posted by Ken07AOVette

Not trying to argue but my t8 has electric start tilt trim and remote steering. It will run forever on very little fuel.

T8 hase been discontinued and now its the T9.9. The T9.9 is as good as the old T8 was and that is saying a lot. This thing is the best outboard I have ever owned and I have had a few. Only down side to it is it does not have a built in pull start like the 8 had, you got to do the cord around the fly wheel trick ( it comes with a cord and handle) I almost didn't buy it in favor of the Merc pro kicker because the Merc has the pull start but I am glad I did get the Yamaha in the end. Only 4 stoke outboard I have ever owned that does not build oil level from idling.

[EZM]

Originally Posted by Ken07AOVette

Not trying to argue but my t8 has electric start tilt trim and remote steering. It will run forever on very little fuel.

I think the those features have been discontinued on anything below 9.9 hp for most manufacturers for a few years.

I think you need to go up to a 9.9 for Merc, Honda, Yamaha and Tohatsu to get those features (all in one).

The Yamaha you have is, and remains to be, one of the best kickers ever built. I've had a few of them, and just like the Hondas I've owned, they were reliable and bullet proof.

[EZM]

Originally Posted by Ken07AOVette

Not trying to argue but my t8 has electric start tilt trim and remote steering. It will run forever on very little fuel.

Sorry - didn't see ROA's post - basically saying the same thing anyways.

The other thing is most manufacturers use the exact same engine for the 8 hp and the 9.9. Both Honda and Yamaha 8 and 9.9's are identical engines with only the tuning changed to generate the HP.

Full features they save for the 9.9 and they are only available in the 9.9.

The High Thrust is (was) a slightly different beast - and the new Yamahas take most of that same technology forward with and into the standard "T" series.

[ddddd05]

I would try and find an electric motor that is powerful enough. Possibly a motor mount electric motor.

It is so nice to fish without the noise of a gas motor. Electric motors are great for trolling speeds. Also if you run out of gas you have a bit of a backup.

[SamSteele]

I have a Merc Pro Kicker 9.9 on my 18.5' Lund, as well as a 80# Terrova bow mount. The Terrova is good up to about 1.5-2 mph. I use it mostly for trolling down around 1 mph or less. The Pro Kicker gets dropped in for any trolling above 1.5 mph. It is the remote steer version with power tilt and electric start, as well as a pull start cord. Max speed on my boat is about 6 mph.

The only reason I see to go to a 15 hp in the Merc is to get a larger alternator. Some of the power steering systems on the big motors use power and the alternator of the 9.9 can't keep up to the draw. The 15 can do a lot of folks go with it for that reason.

I will admit to not loving my Kicker the first year I had it. I started liking it a lot more the second year.

SS


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