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« on: May 05, 2024, 10:04:27 PM »
Regarding outboards:
I've installed a few Suzukis and a few Yamahas, including all the controls. The Yamahas are a lot lighter for same HP, plus you have the very attractive option of integrated electric steering/autopilot along with electric shift/throttle. The steering is silky smooth and once you use it there's no going back. No other outboard comes close to it for weight, and I think that's a critical issue for these boats.
If you go with a 200-250 hp main plus kicker, consider this: with my larger cabin, and the relatively high bow of our boats, wind pushes us around a LOT. If you are trying to get home with the kicker in an emergency with the wind blowing (let alone a squirrely sea), the 9.9 high thrust (I have the Suzuki) struggles to meet the task. I've tested it and it can work, but is on the very raw edge. Consider that the Yamaha 25 hi-thrust only weighs some 145 lb, and it's a FAR superior fit for our boats.
Furthermore, for kicker steering, the best option is Garmin Reactor 40 kicker autopilot, which controls throttle and steering with a unique and very cool handheld remote. It's the most robust versatile system I've seen yet. Only other option, if you decide to go with hydraulic steering on the main, is to install tees in the hydraulic line so you can shift over to either the kicker or main with your steering.
Definitely lots to consider. Twins are a valid option at 115-140HP, and they eliminate the hassles of what to do with the kicker steering, but it's a heavier system, slightly less fuel efficient, and if you troll for salmon frequently, you'd be better off with the Yamaha 25 high thrust, because idling the larger engines for long periods of time is hard on them.