Briggs Kicker

[OutTrolling (ot)]

Anyone know anything good, bad or indifferent about the Briggs 5 horse, 4 stroke, air cooled kicker. They've been making motors forever but just recently getting into marine application. I was considering a Honda until a friend got one. It was ( he got rid of it )heavier that all get out and somewhat spendy. Granted they are known to be quality motors but now I'm not so sure with the weight and $$$. Any experience with Briggs - pro's and con's ???

Old fishermen never die, they just smell that way!

[Okie]

Out Trolling, Since no one has answered your message, I'll give it a try. In general I believe both engines are good. As for weight it would be close to the same for both engines if they are of equal horsepower. Then it would come down to cost. The Briggs engine is probably the most economical. So if that is the main reason to buy one I would go with the Briggs engine. It has been my experience that very few fishermen ever wear out a outboard engine by using it to much. It is usually some other problem that develops that cause them trouble and makes for getting a new engine. In fact if a outboard engine is maintained properly they will go and go and go for a very long time. :cheers:

[Redbull]

Yep, Hondas are heavy and spendy in the small hp range. You might look at the small Suzukis and the Nissans for the small guys.

The Briggs was not really that appealing to me unless I was in a must have situation of needing an ultra light application - like a canoe or a racing sail boat. I'd stick with a known deal.

Bull

[Rescue3]

In fact if a outboard engine is maintained properly they will go and go and go for a very long time. :cheers:



Couldn't agree more, Okie. Just helped a good friend mount a family heirloom on his new Crestliner. It's about a 1950's era Evinrude 3hp. Looks funky next to the new Yamaha, but it started on the first pull!

I've been pretty impressed with the Yamaha kickers so far. I've salvaged several of them and they all recover nicely with very little effort. I don't use a kicker but they would be high on my list based on my limited experience.

As for the Briggs, I've not been impressed with their small engines of late so I'd be hesitant to go out on that limb with them.

[Pickles]

One key thing, AIR COOLED = LOUD . I would not purchase a Briggs for this very reason. I like to be able to carry on a conversation when trolling. A water cooled engine is going to produce far lower decible levels then an equally rated air cooled engine.

[Okie]

One thing I forgot to say about is that some of the smaller Honda engines have a charging feature that will charge your battery when you are using it that is a good feature to consider. Other wise it's your decision as to what you would like to do. :cheers:

[Norm]

I've never owned a briggs outboard, but the honda's are known to be good outboards. I used to work for a equipment rental company, the briggs engines were always junk compared to the honda's. We never bought equipment with anything other than honda engines when we could.