View Full Version : 8hp vs 9.9hp trolling speed?
I am looking for a 8 or 9.9hp four stroke kicker. Will they both troll about the same speed at idle? The motor will be on a 16' Searunner. Thanks for any input.
cmb1998
08-30-2009, 02:36 PM
I am looking for a 8 or 9.9hp four stroke kicker. Will they both troll about the same speed at idle? The motor will be on a 16' Searunner. Thanks for any input.
No.
I started with a 15hp on my 20ft TJ. It was too fast. Even at idle it would push me upstream, couldn't back troll. I have a 9.9 and it's better, but still a little fast.
With your boat I would look for a 8 or smaller. If you could find a 2cyl 6hp that would be nice but I don't know that anyone makes one.
Later,
Chris
No.
I started with a 15hp on my 20ft TJ. It was too fast. Even at idle it would push me upstream, couldn't back troll. I have a 9.9 and it's better, but still a little fast.
With your boat I would look for a 8 or smaller. If you could find a 2cyl 6hp that would be nice but I don't know that anyone makes one.
Later,
Chris
Thanks for the info Chris. I just sold my 6hp 4 stroke Yami and am looking for a long shaft. The 6hp was perfect, but wrong shaft length.
ondarvr
08-30-2009, 05:21 PM
It won't make a difference, if it trolls too fast you can either turn the idle down, turn the prop down, or get a different prop, its very easy to fine tune a kicker for the correct trolling speed.
pepe le pew
08-30-2009, 05:38 PM
I have a 9.9 on a 16ft boat and I wish I had bought a 6 h.p. or an 8 h.p. for two reaons.
First is the extra weight of the 9.9. The boat is now very heavy in the stern. I notice it takes much longer to get up on plane.
I also don't like the way it trolls. I find that the correct trolling speed is just off idle and it is hard too find that sweet spot, a smaller motor would require me to rev it up a little more where it is a little easier to fine tune and probably better for the life of the engine as far as oil pressure is concerned.
skaha
08-30-2009, 05:42 PM
It won't make a difference, if it trolls too fast you can either turn the idle down, turn the prop down, or get a different prop, its very easy to fine tune a kicker for the correct trolling speed.
--agree with tune motor and prop for speed, can be adjusted.
--get best running motor you can and tune it up for your boat.
--would go with same make as your main if possible then can use same gas supply for both or if using portable tanks same attachment etc.
Thanks for the info. I just didn't know if a 9.9 could idle as slow as an 8hp. I guess changing props would be an easy fix as well. Thanks again!
honker1
08-30-2009, 09:07 PM
Worst case, you can put a trolling plate on the 8hp /9.9hp. They do make them small enough. With my new 8hp pushing 18' of boat, I thought I may have to do that. But after a dozen trips the motor settled in and now everything is running great. Will troll down below 1 MPH, and no problems.
Have to agree that a 6hp 2cyl 4 stroke would be great, if someone made one.
Rumrunner 1
08-30-2009, 09:08 PM
I own an yamaha 8hp on a 21ft jet. its a "high thrust" motor?? it works fine for me. I can troll at 3/4mph or faster if needed. I'm very happy with it. I wouldn't buy a 2 stroke for several reasons, 1 is that there being outlawed in other states. 2 is you can plumb them to your main fuel tank.
cmb1998
08-31-2009, 07:27 AM
Thanks for the info. I just didn't know if a 9.9 could idle as slow as an 8hp. I guess changing props would be an easy fix as well. Thanks again!
If your going to buy a new kicker, why would you pay extra for a 9.9 and then put a smaller prop / trolling plate on it?
Just get what fits your boat and be done with it. I don't see any reason to go larger? My 15 would push the boat 6.2mph on GPS and the 9.9 pushes the boat 6.0mph wot. No real advantage to the extra 50% HP, it's never going to push you much beyond your hull speed.
I have never had a problem with trolling fast enough, my problem has always been getting a kicker that would troll slow enough, especially if your going after koke's or trying to back troll in slower current.
Later,
Chris
Mooch
08-31-2009, 07:37 AM
Have to agree that a 6hp 2cyl 4 stroke would be great, if someone made one.
Yamaha's 6hp 4stroke is 2cyl.
My brothers got on on his 19' Scout. Works great unless the current is really rippin'.
My other brother has a Suzuki 6hp on his 18' Raider. The difference in the single cylider Suzuki and 2cyl Yamaha is like night and day. Besides sounding like a weed whacker,the Suzuki just doesn't have the power to get out of its own way. He has to troll on his 115 99% of the time.
ondarvr
08-31-2009, 07:45 AM
If your going to buy a new kicker, why would you pay extra for a 9.9 and then put a smaller prop / trolling plate on it?
Just get what fits your boat and be done with it. I don't see any reason to go larger? My 15 would push the boat 6.2mph on GPS and the 9.9 pushes the boat 6.0mph wot. No real advantage to the extra 50% HP, it's never going to push you much beyond your hull speed.
I have never had a problem with trolling fast enough, my problem has always been getting a kicker that would troll slow enough, especially if your going after koke's or trying to back troll in slower current.
Later,
Chris
If he's going to buy new, then its not an issue, just get the size he wants and he may be able to trade props with no additional fee. Used may be a different situation and a very good 9.9 may come up for an excellent price, should he not buy it because he doesn't think he can get it to troll slow enough.
The not being able to troll slow enough myth seems to get repeated a great deal, there are many ways to slow down just about any size motor and troll at the correct speed.
Danno
08-31-2009, 01:05 PM
Regarding Honda kickers:
The 8 and 9.9 hp are the same motors with the same props but the 9.9 has a higher rpm limit so they will both troll at the same speeds. It's nice to have a couple extra ponies when using the kicker to get you back to the dock when the main engine fails but then 2hp won't make a huge difference (it's still 25% more).
Regarding Honda kickers:
The 8 and 9.9 hp are the same motors with the same props but the 9.9 has a higher rpm limit so they will both troll at the same speeds. It's nice to have a couple extra ponies when using the kicker to get you back to the dock when the main engine fails but then 2hp won't make a huge difference (it's still 25% more).
That is what I was questioning. I was looking to buy used as well. That is why I didn't know if I would end up with a 6, 8, or a 9.9. I did just purchase a used 8hp Yamaha long shaft. Thanks evryone.