thinking about buying a kicker
hamm2415
Posted 2/5/2015 7:38 PM (#752179)
Subject: thinking about buying a kicker




Posts: 23


I have a mr.pike 18 with a 150 fourstroke, what h.p kicker would you recommend?
Jacko
Posted 2/5/2015 8:37 PM (#752186 - in reply to #752179)
Subject: RE: thinking about buying a kicker




Posts: 72


9.9 high thrust
MuskyMulisha
Posted 2/5/2015 8:41 PM (#752187 - in reply to #752179)
Subject: Re: thinking about buying a kicker





8hp would work
muskyhunter47
Posted 2/5/2015 9:08 PM (#752189 - in reply to #752187)
Subject: Re: thinking about buying a kicker




Posts: 1638


Location: Minnesota
Buy what matches your 150
hamm2415
Posted 2/5/2015 9:09 PM (#752190 - in reply to #752179)
Subject: Re: thinking about buying a kicker




Posts: 23


Would a mercury 15 pro kicker be a overkill for a 18 foot boat?
muskyhunter47
Posted 2/5/2015 9:11 PM (#752191 - in reply to #752190)
Subject: Re: thinking about buying a kicker




Posts: 1638


Location: Minnesota
Better to have too much power then not enough
hamm2415
Posted 2/5/2015 9:40 PM (#752195 - in reply to #752179)
Subject: Re: thinking about buying a kicker




Posts: 23


I have yamaha 150 four stroke
Looks like the mercury pro kicker come with power tilt , electric start and a built in pull start.
lennyg3
Posted 2/5/2015 9:47 PM (#752196 - in reply to #752195)
Subject: Re: thinking about buying a kicker





Posts: 483


Location: NE PA
advantage of a 9.9 over a 15 come into play if you have hp restricted lakes...otherwise, more is better IMO

Edited by lennyg3 2/5/2015 9:48 PM
V18
Posted 2/6/2015 6:13 AM (#752214 - in reply to #752179)
Subject: Re: thinking about buying a kicker





Posts: 269


Location: Oregon, WI
9.9 especially if you want to fish on the many 10hp restricted lakes in IL.
R code
Posted 2/6/2015 7:25 AM (#752226 - in reply to #752179)
Subject: Re: thinking about buying a kicker




Posts: 270


Location: SE WISCONSIN
I just got a Mercury 9.9 pro kicker with a tiller handel and a tie bar to the main motor so I can steer from the wheel.
hamm2415
Posted 2/6/2015 8:38 AM (#752238 - in reply to #752179)
Subject: Re: thinking about buying a kicker




Posts: 23


I don't know of any lakes around me that are under 10
one last cast
Posted 2/6/2015 11:12 PM (#752366 - in reply to #752179)
Subject: Re: thinking about buying a kicker




Location: Windy City
Or buy the 15 and get a 9.9 sticker. Go Yamaha. Matches your big motor and is a great motor.
one last cast
Posted 2/6/2015 11:15 PM (#752367 - in reply to #752179)
Subject: Re: thinking about buying a kicker




Location: Windy City
For what it's worth the 9.9 high thrust should push that boat around 6 mph pegged.
ranger618
Posted 2/6/2015 11:35 PM (#752370 - in reply to #752179)
Subject: Re: thinking about buying a kicker




Posts: 106


The Suzuki 9.9, 15, and 20 hp motors are all the same size and weight, so the only disadvantages to going big would be price and use on restricted lakes.
If I get a kicker, I thick I would get the Suzuki because they are the only fuel injected 4-strokes.
Also, if I get a kicker I will clamp it on instead of bolting it on. That way I could use it on a small boat.
muskyrat
Posted 2/7/2015 7:58 AM (#752384 - in reply to #752179)
Subject: Re: thinking about buying a kicker




Posts: 455


If the lakes are not restricted why would you need a kicker? It will add weight rob performance from the big motor and you won`t make your money back in gas savings for about twenty years. Also steering will not be as crisp. You would have to troll a few thousand miles a year to make it worth it. Unless you want to go slow for Walleye I just don`t see the need.
hamm2415
Posted 2/7/2015 8:10 AM (#752387 - in reply to #752179)
Subject: Re: thinking about buying a kicker




Posts: 23


3 mph is the slowest my 150 will go
I'd be getting it so I don't drain my trolling motor batteries when I troll for walleyes
ranger618
Posted 2/7/2015 8:18 AM (#752389 - in reply to #752179)
Subject: Re: thinking about buying a kicker




Posts: 106


Trolling slow is the main reason for kickers. Some boats will only troll down to 3+ mph.
The other reasons are;
More precise speed control.
Allows the use of speed controller, like I-troll.
Back up in case main motor fails.
Reduce the hours put on main motor.
VMS
Posted 2/7/2015 8:30 AM (#752390 - in reply to #752384)
Subject: Re: thinking about buying a kicker





Posts: 3480


Location: Elk River, Minnesota
muskyrat - 2/7/2015 7:58 AM

If the lakes are not restricted why would you need a kicker? It will add weight rob performance from the big motor and you won`t make your money back in gas savings for about twenty years. Also steering will not be as crisp. You would have to troll a few thousand miles a year to make it worth it. Unless you want to go slow for Walleye I just don`t see the need.


Hiya,

One thing I believe everyone should consider if they are any sizable body of water....SAFETY!! If anything, the kicker gives you peace of mind on the water if something were to happen with the main motor. Be it a rock strike, or some form of mechanical breakdown, that kicker will save you. I have had to travel 10 miles with a kicker because my main motor broke down. If I didn't have that kicker, I don't know what I would have done...

On smaller lakes of maybe 1000 acres or less, I might be able to make it off the water with a bow mount depending on where I am on the lake, but anything bigger than that...you may not make it back.

As for the original question: Your boat is not huge, so an 8hp 4 stroke would do just fine. Performance will not be hindered by any major amount for the boat...in fact, it could acutally make the boat a little more efficient in the water. The extra weight in the rear moves the center of gravity further back in the boat, which allows the main motor to more easily trim the front of the boat with less trim angle because the bow will rise easier. If you lose one MPH or two, I'd be surprised...

Steve
Chain Gang
Posted 2/7/2015 6:17 PM (#752448 - in reply to #752179)
Subject: Re: thinking about buying a kicker




Posts: 489


Brand doesn't matter. The small motors are all made by tohatsu.
cave run legend
Posted 2/7/2015 6:25 PM (#752450 - in reply to #752179)
Subject: Re: thinking about buying a kicker





Posts: 2097


I like having my kicker to save hours on the big motor.
muskyrat
Posted 2/7/2015 6:44 PM (#752453 - in reply to #752179)
Subject: Re: thinking about buying a kicker




Posts: 455


I leave mine home unless I`m fishing restricted water. I like trolling with my main tiller in the center of the boat. I feel like this gives me the best control. I`m not worried about hours on my motor or breakdowns. I can drop anchor and wave down a tow or call a buddy. If I was in the wilderness with no cell service I would leave it on. I understand you do need it for Walleye as they are hard to get at 3mph.
bob1
Posted 2/8/2015 6:59 AM (#752490 - in reply to #752179)
Subject: Re: thinking about buying a kicker





Posts: 228


I like using a kicker motor for trolling. Saves a lot of time on the big motor and great for emergencies!

Bob