Kicker motor

[gcapehart]

We have a 25XF with a 225 Johnson 2 stroke. The Penobscot River can run sometimes at 4-5 knots. We have really high tides here. What size of a kicker should she take? Also a friend has a great buy on a 20hp Johnson 2-stroke. Would that weigh to much? Thanks,   Gary

[GoneFission]

20HP seems like a bit much for a kicker on your boat.  A 9.9, 8, or even 7.5 seems more suitable and would be much lighter on the back where you don't need the extra weight.  Finding a kicker bracket that gets a 20 up and down without inducing a hernia ain't no easy task either.    

Kickers are usually used for trolling at speeds less than 10 knots, so the current/tide does not matter, as the speed through the water is what you are concerned about, not speed over the bottom.  You want the lures/bait to work right, and speed through the water does that.  If you fast troll (10 knots+), you will be doing that on the main engine anyway, so a kicker does not matter.  If you are considering the kicker as an emergency power source in the event of the main failing, again a 9.9 will get you home - it might just take a while...

[gcapehart]

You make all the sense in the world. Very well written. God I am upset though. 9.9 I'll be looking for. And yes we primarily fish. And need be fast troll you explained it so well. On my earlier thought. Have you ever had a child leave routinely for school, work, to go out with friends. They say "Bye Dad", and you are in the backyard or don't have the moment to to make eye contact. Worse yet we get up early to go to work, knowing they are leaving for school, etc; and we just assume we'll here from them when they get there. Far to many are not "goin' fishing" again. Thanks

[bubba]

Hey Gary,
                I have an older 22'2 cuddy, kind of a heavy boat. I bought a yamaha 9.9 kicker back in 03' and all i can tell you is it's a workhorse. Has plenty of torque, and is great for trolling. i use it all day once i get out to the fishing grounds. Haven't used it out in the ocean yet though. But i would check into it if i were you. Good day.

[JimCt]

Got a four stroke Honda 9.9 kicker for my 22-2 which I expect will push me around 5-6 knots.  Admittedly a smaller, lighter boat, but I'd think 9.9 would fill the bill for you as well.

[gcapehart]

Thanks for the tips. I have the old low 25" transom and don't want to put much permanent weight there.   Gary

[Fishhead]

Definately go with a high thrust version of a 9.9 or 8.

[RickK]

Hey Fishhead, nothing new with the new shop?  You should have it filled up by now  

[sturgeon]

To improve performance you should look at a one of the prop guards that is designed as a venturi nozzle and great improves the thrust of the little motors.  I saw some performance tests that state a 50% gain in thrust at half-throttle.

Just google prop guards and go throuh the list until you find the one design as the nozzle. they are cheap too.