Kicker motor what kind?

rags · 02-18-2002, 04:40 PM

I might be shopping for a new kicker motor in the near future. My 1992 Yamaha 4 stroke has a crack just above the exhaust and is bulging out. I have been told it is from running it in the salt and a defect from Yamaha. I bought the boat and motors used a year ago. Yamaha was fixing this problem a few years back under warranty but not anymore. I noticed some oil in the water when I reaved it up and I am not getting a consistent water line. :depressed: If I have to get a new motor what do you guys recommend? I thought about a 9.9 4 stroke Merc. Any suggestions?

Nate · 02-18-2002, 04:46 PM

I'm partial to Johnson motors but whatever make you buy definately stick with the four stroke, if it's not a law already it will be. Also you didn't mention the size of your boat!
Springers~!!

Drachir · 02-18-2002, 04:48 PM

My friend has the 4 stroke Merc. w/ electric start. It is one the the nicest kickers I've ever seen. It is super quiet, easy shifter location, and good fuel economy. The best part, no messing around mixing oil w/ the gas!!

rags · 02-18-2002, 04:48 PM

Oh, I have a 19ft SuperVee.

Snapshot · 02-18-2002, 04:50 PM

Rags, Bummer bud, I saw a 9.9 four storke merc. on the for sale board. I think they were asking 1400 or so and it was a 1998 year model. Also spotted a 9.9 older johnson that would probably last another 25 years. They were great motors. Last Johnson I had ran fine when sold and it was about a 1965 model. I will keep a watch out for you.
*Fish only bite wet hooks*

02-18-2002, 04:53 PM

I have a 15hp Yamaha 4stroke and have had zero problems with it. I wouldnt give up on Yamaha. Honda's and Merc's are also a very good product. You'd be happy with any of the three.

Pete · 02-18-2002, 05:03 PM

I've heard (not experienced it myself) that 4 strokes - particularly Hondas - don't have as sensitive a throttle response as 2 strokes. When you want to make a little adjustment in speed it is harder to accomplish with the 4 strokes.

Note that this is hearsay, not gospel. Please correct me if I'm wrong. My 1987 Merc 8HP won't last forever, so I'm learning what I can in anticipation of replacing it.

The emissions and noise issues are both strong arguments for a 4 stroke.

02-18-2002, 05:11 PM

My last boat had a 2 stroke Johnson that smoked and was loud and would die often at slow idle trolling. My Yamaha purs like a kitten and runs and runs and runs and........I'll never go back to another 2 stroke.

ScottD · 02-18-2002, 05:38 PM

I would suggest a 4 stroke Merc or 4 stroke Yamaha. The high thrust versions I think are the best kicker motors.

fish_on · 02-18-2002, 05:42 PM

Love my honda 25 is smooth, I can only assume the smaller motors are the same.

TH · 02-18-2002, 05:58 PM

I have the 9.9 4 stroke Merc Bigfoot on my 22ft Willie Predator and I love it! Very quite, trolls very well..

bob b · 02-18-2002, 08:05 PM

Merc and Yamaha 4strokes share the same powerhead,this will continue while Merc developes it's own 4stroke technology. Would lean toward Merc due to dealer network.

Own a 99 8hp Honda 4stroke,no problems so far,smooth running.

Would stay away from Evinrude and Johnson until Bombardier cleans up mess left by OMC,just my opinion.

Sea Nymph · 02-18-2002, 08:09 PM

I have an 8 hp mariner (mercury) short shaft. I'm thinkin' about mounting it on the swim platform of my glass boat. Question is, the prop won't go all the way below the bottom of the boat. I'm quite sure the prop will be all the way in the water but was wondering if it should go further down than the bottom of the boat or does it matter?

SN

WheresMyBobber · 02-18-2002, 08:22 PM

2 answers to different posts here.

Rags - I've had Johnson, Mercury and Honda kickers. I can honestly say the Johnson was my favorite for dependability, smoothness and overall "trolling enjoyment". In second place is the Honda I currently have. I hope that helps.

Sea Nymph - It DEFINITELY matters where the prop is in relationship to the bottom of the boat. If your entire prop isn't at LEAST 3/4 of the way below the hull (or more), you will cavitate, have less control than you really need, achieve less speed than you should, and you won't be able to do what you really need to do for serious trolling or backtrolling. Trust me, I've been there, done that. :smile: Spend the money and get a long shaft or extra long shaft if necessary. It costs more, but if you're serious about your fishing it will pay off.

Good luck.

wiser · 02-19-2002, 07:49 AM

Sory, double post.

[ 02-19-2002, 06:25 PM: Message edited by: Wiser? ]

wiser · 02-19-2002, 07:50 AM

I've got a 1997 2 stroke Mercury 8hp troller. The motor works gteat but I'm thinking of upgrading to match my 2001 Merc 115 EFI 4 stroke main motor.
My question is regarding sensitivety. The only 4 stroke kicker I've operated was a 9.9 Merc. The throttle was so sensitive it was hard to adjust trolling speed. Anyone else have problems or cures for the sensitivety problem?

[ 02-19-2002, 08:51 AM: Message edited by: Wiser? ]

Fish Hunter · 02-19-2002, 08:03 AM

John, I like my 2001 Honda 9.9 4stroke but the plugs are getting too oily and it takes too many pulls to start. It's at Sportcraft for warranty service right now. Used to allways start w/one pull. I have 200 hrs on it. This "Powerthrust" model will go very slow for trolling. It will still push my boat up to 5mph on the top end. Worked great on the Channel and at B-10 last year. Sorry to hear about your old kicker.

[ 02-19-2002, 09:04 AM: Message edited by: Fish Hunter ]

Doubletake · 02-19-2002, 03:44 PM

Rags, I have a 9.9 Merc 4-stroke with a high thrust prop. (2000 model). It does well in the river with my 19' Thunderjet both trolling and backtrolling. Have had a lot of comments on how quiet it is. Good luck

Doubletake

scott98541 · 02-19-2002, 07:30 PM

i think all the motors are very competetive,the most important part for me is having the shift controls in the handle.i have a 8hp.merc on a 20ft super v.scott

Hookset · 02-19-2002, 08:18 PM

Salmonator made a good point that should not be overlooked. The factory thermostat is set for warmer water then the 50 degree water we troll in. Most trolling motors run to cold for good combustion. Changing the thermostat helps the performance, burns cleaner, starts easier and saves on plugs.

As for a trolling motor, I like the Mercury 9.9 4-stroke bigfoot electric start. After two years the motor still starts like new. This is mounted to a 22' boat. I friend at work has the Honda 4-stroke, he's had problems with oil fouling the plugs, something about a plugged vent hole, not sure about the reason.

I really think your choices boil down to 3 motors, Merc, Yamaha or Honda.

Salmonator · 02-19-2002, 08:29 PM

Hook, your friends plugs are probably fouling because the motor never reaches temp and the pisons/rings never expand to keep out the oil. Why honda would sell so many engines in the NW with the wrong thermostat is beyond me...

Stz ll · 02-19-2002, 08:34 PM

I have a 9.9 hp 4 stroke Mercury Bigfoot with the electric starter. I would not trade that motor for 3 Honda's or Yamaha's. It is truly one great motor.

Pete

spooner · 02-19-2002, 10:52 PM

mercury and yanaha 9.9 are exactly the same exept the sticker on the side. I run a yamaha 9.9 more than a thousand hours a season never had a problem for three years just change the oil and spark plugs and fog it in the off season store it some place warm and dry.

Salmonator · 02-19-2002, 11:05 PM

Fish hunter. Do you have the higher temp thermostat in your motor yet? The factory one keeps the motor running too cold and your symptoms are the result. I have taken two different hondas in for this fix. The last one they did under warranty which is how it should be done.

Fish Hunter · 02-20-2002, 08:14 AM

Hookset and Salmonator you are describing my problem to a "T". Are you talking about 2001 or newer motors? Sportcraft sez the newer Hondas have the warmest t-stat yet to solv that problem for 2001. But I still have to run the choke a little longer than seems right, and the water discharge temp never seems to get warm to the touch. Do you know the temp value of the thermostats that are working well for you?
I get a little more unburned gas smell from it that you would think for a "very very low emissions" motor. Hate to snivel about it. It's a great motor, but for the money it should be perfect. Mainly want to get it figured out before my warranty is up. The 3yr warranty is a big plus.

Billy · 02-20-2002, 08:41 AM

Somebody stole my Honda 4 stroke and I replaced it with a Mercury. Get the Honda. Billy

Dr Strangelove · 02-20-2002, 12:58 PM

I have a Yamaha T8 which I love, but bad metallurgy caused a tilt bracket crack. Covered under waranty; dealer or factory never had one before. I like this engine. Starts easily (electric), trolls nice and slow, hithrust prop/gearing great for any boat, won't cavitate in any direction, electric tilt great. Head very small and quiet for a 4-stroke. Go with this or Honda. Last Merc 4S 9.9 kicker I used died all the time at low idle. Good luck. Doc.