kicker size?

moknots · 01-03-2009, 09:20 AM

Thinking about going to a 4 stroke kicker with charger for my 18' 1962 Glaspar. I'd like to keep it at light as I can. The boat is pictured in my avatar. most of my trolling is done on Odell, Wickiup and Suttle. the transom height is about 18" at the kicker position, which puts most of the prop below the hull even with a short shaft. We dock shallow at Odell making a short shaft pretty desirable. I've used an 8hp short shaft Yamaha 2 stroke until recently, when I put my backup on, a 6hp mariner. The engines perform about the same, with the nod to the newer (1995) Mariner becuase it is quieter and cleaner. Trolling is .5 to 1.5 for kokanee, and 2.5 to 4 for mackinaw. Will a 5 hp Honda get the job done, or do I need to go to 8? Other engines I should consider? Thanks in advance!

BTW, looking to buy, so please PM me if you know of any good deals.

Road Rage · 01-03-2009, 11:39 AM

5 would probably do it, unless it's windy.

skystext · 01-03-2009, 01:35 PM

I just went thru this with my boat 17' hewes, heres a few things just to think about , number of cylds. most older 2 strokes are 2 cyld even down to 6hp or so , a 4 stroke single cyld is going to run rougher at lower rpms (trolling speeds) and vibration can be severe, so most people will advise you to go with a 2 cyld. for trolling. This means 6hp or up yami, 8 hp or up merc. , i believe the newer hondas 8 hp and up are 2 cyld. Next thing is weight on these 4 strokes take an 8 hp merc for example 2004 i believe is the break year for the lighter mercury motors an 04 manual is like 100 pounds , while an 05 is around 80 , if 20 lbs. on the transom is no big deal you may not have to worry about it. yamaha 6hp and 8hp (same powerhead) run about 83 lbs. I ended up with an 8 hp honda which ran around 97 lbs. and had a charging system with it which i also wanted (harder to find on a manual tilt tiller motor, there are some really good deals around and this is a good time of year to have some extra cash. I did a search on i fish before i bought some really good advice here. my

fishkisser · 01-03-2009, 02:04 PM

T-8 with 20" shaft , electric start ,power tilt ...
You will not be sorry they are a dream ...

Phil Layer · 01-08-2009, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishkisser

T-8 with 20" shaft , electric start ,power tilt ...
You will not be sorry they are a dream ...

A great motor but heavy - over 100 lbs.

fishkisser · 01-08-2009, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil Layer

A great motor but heavy - over 100 lbs.

O K how about yamaha F-6 15" shaft manual tilt , manual start with a 6amp alternator ... Total weight 83 pounds ...

For 20 some odd pounds more I would take the T-8 anyhoo...

Phil Layer · 01-08-2009, 03:02 PM

The six horse Tohatsu 4 stroke - Nissan is the same motor and I think the Merc is too - is only 55 lbs.

fishmanic · 01-08-2009, 04:32 PM

I have a 4hp 4stroke Mercury on an Arima. It works good, the vibration is low when you troll at slow speeds,small amount of vibration at higher speeds 2mph and up. I had this motor on a 16 ft Valco aluminun with transom mount, too much vibration, but on my Arima the motor mounted on a bracket on a fiberglass boat the single cylinder works fine. Also I have a ez-steer so you won't feel the vibration of the motor on your hand when steering. If your setup will be similar you won't have problem with a single cylinder.

Phil Layer · 01-08-2009, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishmanic

I have a 4hp 4stroke Mercury on an Arima. It works good, the vibration is low when you troll at slow speeds,small amount of vibration at higher speeds 2mph and up. I had this motor on a 16 ft Valco aluminun with transom mount, too much vibration, but on my Arima the motor mounted on a bracket on a fiberglass boat the single cylinder works fine. Also I have a ez-steer so you won't feel the vibration of the motor on your hand when steering. If your setup will be similar you won't have problem with a single cylinder.

Fishmanic,

How big is your Arima? I hadn't considered a 4hp but maybe it will be enough.

fishmanic · 01-09-2009, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil Layer

Fishmanic,

How big is your Arima? I hadn't considered a 4hp but maybe it will be enough.

I used the 4hp on a 16ft Explorer and a 15ft Sea Hunter. I once had to use the kicker to get home and it pushed the boat at about 5 mph at WOT.

fishfry · 01-09-2009, 01:22 PM

I have a T8 on my 21' Arima and it works great. I would go with the 8 over the 5 just so you have a backup in case your main goes out. Nothing worse than trying to get back to the boat ramp if you can only get her up to 4 mph. But I guess it can be done. Just something else to think about.