Following on the thread from last week or so I think its time I consider a kicker motor as a backup for now and eventually for reducing gas use trolling. My dilemma is whether a 9.9 will cut it or go up to a 15 HP. I remember Adrien saying the "deluxe" kicker bracket he uses is a breeze to lower with the heavier 15 HP motor but I wonder if it would be brutal with a 9.9 hp. I have an Alumacraft Magnum 175cs with a Honda 90 HP 4 stroke. The boat is a double aluminum hull deep vee. The combined boat / motor weight (no people) is probably around 1700 - 1800 lbs. Any opinions on HP for kicker and mounting bracket. Also, should I be looking for the long shaft vs. short shaft on the kicker? Either way I'm looking to go for a Honda 4 stroke with the high output charging package. Thanks in advance for any opinions offered.

-Eric

One other thing -- one reason I was hoping to stay with a 9.9 is that I could use it / the boat on a few HP restricted lakes nearby...but if thats not the way to go then I need to hear it...Eric

I think the 9.9 would be fine for that size boat.I had a 17 foot sea nymph with a 6 hp kicker on it for 15+ years and it worked great.I have a 19 foot lund now and I have a 9.9 4 stroke for a kicker and it's perfect for my rig.I'm not sure about the kicker mount.I'm pretty sure someone will post that answer for you.Good luck.

Erin

I have a 25 fiberglass Penn Yan with a 9.9 yamaha. I can go almost 6 miles per hour and troll down to .5 miles per hour. It is there high thrust model with the large prop. The larger prop makes all the difference in the world controlling the boat. I love it. The gas saving is great.

I just bought a Merc 9.9 bigfoot from my friends at Owens Marine for my 22ft starcraft. I would think 9.9 would be fine for your boat. With the Mercs the wieght factor isn't all that much between the 9.9 and 15, I would think that would be the case with Yammaha also.

I have a 9.9 4 stroke on my Striper. It works great! You don't need a 15hp.

Salty

PS I ran a 6hp on my Scout CC and it was plenty.

Thanks for the feedback. Will go with the 9.9. Follow up questions are (i) what type of kicker mount to use (I'll re-check what Adrien posted a little while back but I'd be interested in what others are using for the 9.9 motors); and (ii) what type of bracket system are people using to tie the main motor to the kicker so you can steer from the console? I'm going to get an autopilot like Gray Ghost and want to be able to troll on autopilot with either the big or small motors. Thanks guys.

Eric

See my earlier post about kicker brackets... Great deal on mine...

Yeah... the above post was me. Forgot to change my name back from an earlier post. Sorry

Slip - any chance you have a picture of your set up? Without seeing it I gather the brackets link the kicker to the main motor so the steering can control both. Can the brackets be disengaged easily ? (like to allow you to use the tiller handle on the kicker as Adrien talked about?).

Eric

I have an autopilot for the main engine and this spring I am installing a TR-1 autopilot for my kicker engine. It also has a wireless remote and trottle control. I will let you know how it works.

Salty
how big of a boat was your Scout CC. i am looking at an older 4 stroke this weekend thats 6 hp for my 14 foot alum, but was wondering how it would push my 19 foot eastern. would be nice to use it for trolling, but more for emergencies as the 91 merc 115 on that boat is getting old. any idea how much that boat of yours weighed about.

Eric,
The bracket I mentioned is just the motor "bracket" (the part the kicker will actually hang on). Its the same one Adrien uses, I haven't mounted it to the boat yet. Just thought you might like to order from the same place I did... quick, free shipping and cheaper than elsewhere.
I have no idea what motor "connector" you would need for outboard to outboard. I'm ordering the EZ Steer for my I/O unit to the kicker. Apparently with my set up it will remain in place except when on the trailer.

My Scout was 17.3

Salty

Thanks Slip, I'll need to read the earlier posts on your bracket and do some research on how to interconnect the steering of the kicker. There was a thread on that a while ago...

I have a '04 Seaswirl striper 2101WA, Is this the model you have? I'm looking to install a kicker. you said 9.9 is fine? Do you recommend long shaft or short shaft? Do you have any pictures? What bracket do you use? A lot of questions sorry.