Kicker Motor Cost?

[catman71]

I am thinking about a kicker motor for my 18' Lund Explorer. What do I need? a 9.9? are they all 4-stroke? What should I expect to pay? Recommend a dealer?

Any info would be great.

[HARPOON-OR-BUST]

WELL THIS SUBJECT IS GOING TO GET A LOT OF DIFFERENT OPINIONS. WHAT DO YOU NEED........WELL I WOULD TELL YOU TO DIFINATLY GO WITH A 4 STROKE AND A 9.9 SHOULD FIT YOUR NEEDS JUST FINE. I WOULD MATCH BRANDS WITH THE BIG MOTOR, JUST A PERSONAL PREFERENCE. NO THEY ARE NOT ALL 4 STROKE AND THE MONEY WOULD DEPEND ON THE BRAND. WHAT KIND OF BIG MOTOR DO YOU HAVE?

[catman71]

I have a Suzuki 2 stroke 150. It does not troll well, unless you want to go 4 mph. Would you go tiller or hook it up to the wheel? If it was a tiller could I easily remove it to use on a small boat?

[PerchJerker]

I also like kickers to match the big motor. Just a personal preference for the way it looks.

A 4-stroke is the way to go, since you'll be running it for long periods of time at low rpms. That's what 4-strokes do best.

If you're buying a "kicker" - specifically a motor like the T-8 or the Merc Pro Kicker that is designed to be a kicker - including elec start, power trim, an alternator, low speed gears, and high thrust prop, you looking at about $3,000. With some looking you will find them for less.

If you're looking for an 8 or 9.9 4-stroke -- but not technically a "kicker" -- you will be around $2,000. Less if you can find a used one. It will for sure have regular gearing and prop, probably not be electric start, probably not have power trim. If you're going to move it to another boat from time to time this would be a better way to go. True "kickers" are designed to be kickers, they're not designed to push a boat fast. I know several people who use regular 4-strokes as kickers and they work fine.

I like having my kicker seperate from the big motor and running it as a tiller. Very versatile this way. I use it a lot for trolling cranks at all times of the year at all speeds, and for vertical jigging, and backtrolling. If you are only going to forward troll cranks then you may be interested in tieing it to the big motor. Personally I do not like fishing by the steering wheel though.

Good luck.

[hitthebricks]

Catman, I have the Yam. T8 on a Crest. 2050 SF and it works great now that I have the one with a long enough shaft (X long) the reg. long shaft would propel the boat but not turn it. The T8 is designed to be a kicker and comes standard with power trim and electric start HTB

[Northlander]

I would also recomend either a Yamaha T-8 or the new Mercury Pro kicker. They are both top notch. They will both run ya over $3000 easy.

[HARPOON-OR-BUST]

I WOULD DEFINATLY GO TILLER IF IT WAS FOR ME. DEPENDS ON YOUR FISHING STYLE THOUGH I USE THE KICKER MOSTLY TO BACKTROLL OR HOLD THE BOAT WHILE DRIFTING ON BIG WATER. IF YOU DO GO TILLER YOU CAN ALWAYS GET A CONNECTING ROD TO HOOK IT UP TO THE BIG MOTOR AND STEER IT FROM THE CONSOLE IF YOU ARE PULLING BOARDS/CRANKS. YOU STILL HAVE TO MAKE THE THROTTLE ADJUSTMENTS AT THE MOTOR BUT IT ISN'T THAT BIG OF DEAL. ONCE YOU GET THE SPEED SET YOU JUST DRIVE. SUZUKI DOES MAKE A 9.9 OR 15 4 STROKE BUT THOSE ARE BOTH MODELS WITHOUT THE TRIM. I AM SURE THAT YOU CAN GET THEM WITH ELEC. START THOUGH IF YOU WISHED. ONE OTHER THING I WOULD RECOMEND IS MAKE SURE THAT THE KICKER HAD AN ALTERNATOR SO IT IS CHARGING WHILE YOU ARE RUNNING THE ELECTRONICS, LIVEWELLS, ECT.(I THINK MOST OF THE TIME IF THEY HAVE ELEC. START THEY HAVE AN ALTERNATOR)

I HAVE A 9.9 MERC 4-STROKE WITHOUT TRIM IT GETS THE JOB DONE BUT AS SOON AS I CAN TRADE UP FOR THE 9.9 PRO I AM GOING TO. ITS NOT BECAUSE IT WORK TO GRAB THE MOTOR AND PULL OUT OF THE WATER IT THE FACT THAT IT DOESN'T BOUNCE AROUND SO MUCH IN ROUGH WATER.