sizing kicker motor

[Todd j]

Is there any reason to use a kicker larger than a 9.9?  I'm leaning toward Suzuki EFI model.  I want to be a able to troll with it, and have perfect control of the boat too.  I am using a 4" jack plate for the 250 main and cut the opening in the transom for a single main.  I will have to put the kicker on some sort of standoff mount to clear the back of the transom.  Brian has been pretty darn accommodating when it comes to adding weight to the transom.   So hopefully that wont be a concern.  I know this is exactly what  Dan B did on his. 
  Just this last weekend I had some friends out about 7 miles and their Yamaha seized without warning.  No details yet.  They made it in on the kicker, the wind came up as usual and it was a little white knuckling.  This is a much smaller boat than the GA, so I'm guessing the GA with a 9' house and 9 more feet of hull will catch the wind even worse.  So that's my biggest concern with a smaller kicker. 

[json]

I am not sure about if I would need it but when I add a kicker I am going to do a 25 high thrust one. If I get caught offshore and have to get back with a kicker I want to be darn sure that I will be able to overcome the wind, and I am not sure that a 9.9 would get that job done, so really with the safety concern in mind imo it's better to spend a couple thousand more and not find out that I am not making headway to get back to port in the event of a power failure. When I was talking to the rep I bought my yamaha from he definitely thought I would need a 25 to get the job done. That could also have been because he was trying to upsell me for a bigger commission though.

[Grady300]

I'm by no means an authority on the subject but I have heard going to a 25hp doesn't give you much more speed than a 9.9. It may give you better control though with more thrust. It's my understanding you will only go so fast pushing water till you get over the hump and start planning. Again just what I have heard so don't take that to the bank!!!

[Todd j]

I am not sure about if I would need it but when I add a kicker I am going to do a 25 high thrust one. If I get caught offshore and have to get back with a kicker I want to be darn sure that I will be able to overcome the wind, and I am not sure that a 9.9 would get that job done, so really with the safety concern in mind imo it's better to spend a couple thousand more and not find out that I am not making headway to get back to port in the event of a power failure. When I was talking to the rep I bought my yamaha from he definitely thought I would need a 25 to get the job done. That could also have been because he was trying to upsell me for a bigger commission though.

I have noticed that no one understands these boats and what requirements they do or do not need.  Me not knowing the weight doesnt help

[Todd j]

Any one else want to weigh in?   I’m putting deposits down next week!

[Rbob]

Same here on the 9.9, more hp does not go faster just costs more and weighs more.

My experience, has a 15hp kicker on my 22' Raider SeaRaider.  When I hit the sunken jetty and had to return to port with kicker I found out right away that wide open throttle and 1/4 throttle made little/no difference in speed, 4-5 mph is it.

Tuna fishing it takes the main motor to troll at 8mph.

[json]

Same here on the 9.9, more hp does not go faster just costs more and weighs more.

My experience, has a 15hp kicker on my 22' Raider SeaRaider.  When I hit the sunken jetty and had to return to port with kicker I found out right away that wide open throttle and 1/4 throttle made little/no difference in speed, 4-5 mph is it.

Tuna fishing it takes the main motor to troll at 8mph.

I am more worried about making headway in a stiff wind with a big boat like the great Alaskan. I think that the torque output could be important in that scenario. But if y’all agree that that’s not an issue then maybe I will save the money and weight. Maybe once someone has a 9.9 they should try pushing the boat in the wind and report back here.

[Todd j]

Dan B appears to have the same engine/s package I am considering.  I couldn’t find much feedback on the 9.9 in his thread

[ghelland]

I too do not know the correct size motor to buy but I do know that you can buy a four blade prop that converts a standard motor into "high thrust".  I bought one for my current boat and now I can use the whole rpm range on the kicker.  I have a suzuki but I think you can get one for any brand.  If you can get a fuel injected motor you will really like it.

[Todd j]

I plan on efi kicker.  High thrust yes!

[Djeffrey]

Just for more reference. I have 6hp tahatsu. Although small it’s perfect for the tender. It will push the GA 4.25 mph. Wanted a 9.9 but to long of a wait time.

[Todd j]

It looks like the 9.9 and 15 in most cases are the same weight.  I’m surprised I guess that the 15 is not offered with the same bells and whistles as the 9.9.  I guess they want you to make the jump to a 20

[Brian.Dixon]

For 26-ft and larger versions, I'd recommend no less than a 9.9 high-thrust ... and 15 is probably ideal.  Larger is OK, but unnecessary ... unless it's large enough to put the boat on plane, e.g. 100 hp, then the extra horsepower won't help too much.  Close 'nuf...  15+ horsepower will help keep the nose into the wind and waves if necessary, although kickers are never more than 'adequate' as an emergency motor for getting home.  They're great as a nice quiet, small, trolling motor too.  Go with twin mains if you're concerned ...

[Jg]

I'm in the same boat. Been getting ready to order motors in Mercury they weigh the same up to 20hp for that reason I thinking 20hp don't know if that makes any sense. Also not sure for main motor 225 6 cylinder or 250 8. 8 wieghs 60
Lbs more almost the weight of the 20 the 20 wieghs 96lbs this is in Mercury. If anyone gets up and running would like to know about performance the jg

[Brian.Dixon]

The main downside, in my way of thinking, of having an overly-large kicker is if you need it for really slow trolling ... king salmon, Kokanee, etc.  If you prop it for a slow troll, it'll go slower at WOT too.  With today's fuel-inject 2-strokes and high efficiency 4-strokes, many choose to troll with the main ... it all depends I guess.  Trade-offs...