Kicker Horsepower

Geekie1

Geekie1

Junior Member
I didn't want to highjack the "Auxilliary Motor" thread so I started this new one.

I have a V20 cuddy with a 150 Yamaha and with gas prices as they are and how prices may get I am seriously considering installing a kicker. I go offshore alot and do some trolling from time to time depending on conditions. Sometimes I troll out about 10 miles to a spot where I anchor to do some striper chunking. My V20 has outriggers etc.

I think that since I would use the kicker to troll which requires varying speed to match the bait presentation may require a larger kicker than a 10-15 HP. I want economy plus useful trolling speed. My question is:

What HP and leg length kicker would be most useful on a V20 for how I use the boat?? I will probably buy a Yammy for the kicker and just switch fuel hose from the 150 to the kicker when in use. Thanks in advance for your replies!!

Ed G.
 
I use a Merc 9.8 which may not be large enough for you. i installed a T in the gas line and fed both of my motors. Bill Mc ;D
 
A 25 4- stroker would probably get best "gas mileage"...if your auto-oiler on your 150 is still in use, I guess you could gas the kicker from the main tank... ;)
 
1975 9.9hp Johnson here.  Has more spunk than I thought.  Can get her up to around 7mph with that little booger!  Very economical and runs super shallow draft!

Would be nice to have a 15hp, but I think it would be a pregnant doggie to raise out of the water.  It kinda hard to pull the little 9.9 out of the water from the deck.

About shaft length - I think 20" is necessary rather than 15" to keep the foot in the water in any type of seas.  I can tell that my little motor was converted from 15" to 20" because the mid-section has paint that does not match the upper or lower sections.  

Weight - you don't want the motor to be too heavy or the boat will list to that side.  IMHO I would think a 25hp 4 stroke would be way too heavy, but I really have not idea about that.  Just seems that way.

Kicker fuel - I use a 6 gallon tank that fits in my motor well.   I also keep some outboard motor oil on the boat in case I'm stranded.  If I run out of mixed gas in my 6 gallon tank, all I have to do is unhook ahead of the primer ball on my main tank, then use the primer to refill the 6 gallon, mix the oil, hook the gas line back up and ready to go for another 6 gallons.

This allows me to use mix in the little motor and puts my total capacity up to 66 gallons.  I also have a 12 gallon tank that I can take as well, which puts me close to 80 gallons.

I have a feeling this little kicker is going to save some big $$ this summer!  Might make up the diff. in these ridiculous gas prices!  If you're planning on putting around at 5 mph, why not save gas and use the little motor?  It makes sense.

P.S. Guy I bought the boat from paid $400 for the 9.9hp Johnson kicker on eBay.

My $.02
Blue
 
BR, you probably right about that 25 bein' too much...a 15 would certainly do the job w/ a lot less weight and fuel consumption...I used to have a Johnny 15 and it was same motor as the 9.9 ;)...
 
I have been thinking about it,

But the problem is how to attach it to the bracket??

I only have a 2" lip on the full bracket and no transom o put it.

The Lip is 2" X 1/4 aluminum.
 
Thanks for the inputs. I am not a fan of 4-strokes!! Too many moving parts and way too heavy. New Etecs get as good fuel consumption as 4-strokes. I am going to go shopping for about a 15HP 2 stroke starting today.

Ed G.
 
I used to have a Johnny 15 and it was same motor as the 9.9 ...
Click to expand...

I bet I wouldn't think 25 ponies was too much if I had to get back in from 25 miles on it!

Point being, use the largest most powerful that you and your boat can comfortably accomodate and handle.

Now, if I could have a 15hp in the sames size as this 9.9hp that would be sweeeeeeeet!
 
I don't remember the math right now, but there is a formula for figureiing the speed of a displacement hull and it relates to the square root of the waterline lentght of the vessel. Anyhow, a v-20 is going to go about 7 mph with a 8 hp or a 30 hp. YOu wont gain any speed until you have enough hp to overcome your bow wave.

Airslot
 
Cool stuff! Wish I had TNT, elec start and a tie bar and I'd be all set!

For now I'll use manual TNT, manual start (armstrong) and a combination of big motor rudder steering and when it gets hairy - old faithful aka tiller arm.

;D
 
ya know, i got a 80 pound thrust trollin motor that i have been thinkin of mounting on the transom of my v20 when i get her finished. i was thinkin mostly for sneakin up on tailin reds at cat island and in the marsh. ya'll think it would push it?
 
80lbs is rather healthy. Only problem is wind and current will make the transom mount more difficult to maneuver IMO.

I would give it a shot since you already have both boat and trolling motor! Let us know how it does. I've often wondered how a transom mount elec. motor would do on the back of the V20.
 
Me too, almost bought one used but decided to hold off and ask any of you guys that have a transom mount version.
Also Blue was right about the weight, would not go larger or heavier than a 15 hp two stroke. I went with a 9.9 for my kicker because I need that for the Lakes here.
Be advised that most 15 hp outboards are the same as the 9.9 's just re-carbed to get the boost up.
You can go larger if you can mount it closer to the keel line, if you are mounting it on a bracket out to the side it will cause the boat to list.
With mine I plan to off set the weight with a livewell tank I'm putting in soon.
 
I found a 2000 - 25HP Johnson at a pawn shop for $850 w/sales tax and it was super clean inside.  Starts on 2 pulls and I use it for offshore slow trolling.  Set speed and steer with the big motor.  EZ-PZ.

I use a 3 gallon tank and have only ran it dry one time.  If I needed more fuel I would pump from the main tank and refill.  

I could fish back from a long way out and call TowBoat US in a pinch.

Note: 13 gallon livewell and motor on same side of hull, listing not a noticeble issue, just keep all fish in fish box on other side!!! and fat brother's also. Seriously listing is not even noticed.

1985wellcraft3.jpg
 
Ive been very happy with my 9.8 nissan also have a 3 gal. tank but put a T in also to the main. Mine is a long shaft think it came off a sailboat. At first i thought it was to long but i dont have to lower the moter to far down. So far so good. I also get 8 9 mph I'd fine a electric start it's nice to have but this nissan starts on the 1st pull. And steer from the helm just leave the main down and use as a rudder.
 
I used to have a kicker when I was fishing the Chesapeake bay but if you got a good running main motor I would save the money and buy whiskey with it..Its just something else to worry about, its extra weight and fuel requirements and the big motor wont use that much gas at low speed as a little one reved up full throttle..IF on the other hand the big motor wont calm down to troll then thats another issue...Just my opinion..Frank
 
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