Posts: 3475
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hiya,
That particular size boat you can go with an 8hp and do just fine. I would agree though, the pro kicker is a great way to go...especially the efi. Although heavier overall, the efi pro kicker will allow you a few things not just trolling related.
The efi 9.9 kicker is about 122 pounds as compared the 4 stroke 8hp which is just under 90...not too bad overall and the weight, regardless of what you go with will move the center of gravity of the boat back, allowing the big motor to have an easier time trimming the bow. The downfall is the boat might sit a little lower in the rear at rest, but it shouldn't be too bad.
The other aspect...safety with the ability to get off the water. A friend many years ago was out on leech lake with his Ranger boat. Didn't have a kicker and his big motor went down in a blow. He was walleye fishing on the windy side of a point and sure enough...was blown into the rocks, destroyed his boat, and had to be rescued. A kicker would have saved the day.
EFI is so much better than a carb engine as everything is controlled making the engine sip fuel.
If money is an issue, the 8 will do well also. I have an 8hp on my rig which is almost 19 feet. I purchased a solas 4 blade trolling propeller (big fat ears like you see on the yamaha pro kickers) and even with that prop, I still can get up to 5.5 mph full throttle.
No matter what you choose, a kicker is always a good thing....you cannot go wrong with the choices you have put out there.
Steve |
