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Posts: 158
| My advice.
Tiller. If you have to have control over the motor without the tiller the Panther electric steering would be nice. Basically a setup for your kicker similar to the Co-Pilot that Minn Kota has.
I just personally don't like the idea of being tied down to the console area for steering.
Check the number of cylinders. My last kicker was an 8hp Merc 4stroke. It was a single cylinder. I knew all of this going in, but a single cylinder WILL be more rough than a multi cylinder.
All the 9.9's that I know of are two cylinders.
Probably not quite as important for Muskie, but a nice thing I want to try on my next kicker is a Troll Master digital throttle. It will let you make very, very small adjustments to throttle position.
http://troll-masterpro.com/
Finally consider the Main engine power. I assume based on your boat thread that you will be buying new so this isn't an issue for you, but I'll throw it out there.
If you have an oil injected 2 stroke main engine, AND a 2 stroke kicker you will need a separate fuel supply, because the main tank is full of gasolene not pre-mix.
This pretty much makes a 4 stroke kicker a necessity. On something older you could eliminate the oil injection, and run pre-mix in the tank, for both engines.
If your using a 4 stroke as the main engine, the decision is even more of a no-brainer.
Me being broke, and cheap, I'm going to run pre-mix in my main tank, for the main power, and a Evinrude 9.9 two stroke.
As for using it, it has more uses than just trolling. For one you have a back up source of power should your main power fail out in BFE. MAJOR security there IMO. I've been broken down in BFE in vehicles before and it stinks so no desire to be "stuck" in a boat.
I used mine the most for controlling the boat into the wind. Even more so than trolling. With a combination of kicker, and powerfull bow mount, you can control your boat in conditions that are no longer safe to stand on the deck and cast. In other words, YOU win the battle vs the wind.
As for cost.....As low as $1000 for an older used, but good running engine, and some fuel line, to I would guess over $5-7k.
I always feel the need to point out that you don't have to spend the big bucks on equipment so: I'm looking for an older 9.9 Johnson/Evinrude 2 stroke. Phenomenal engines, big gear case, and run forever. I'll add electric start, and a Troll Master throttle to it, along with a tiller handle extension and still likely come in under $1500
Another nice thing about these motors, is that if you do fish HP restricted lakes, or just feel you need more power, you can convert the 9.9hp to a 15hp with a carb change. Also Boyeson's power reeds are supposed to smooth out idle, increase throttle response, and make starting easier. I've never used them, but I'm going to on my main engine, and the kicker. Reviews online seem pretty convincing.
Edited by LonLB 4/6/2011 2:24 AM
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