Thoughts on adding kicker to a 161?

[barbwire44]

Have a new to me 161 tournament cat, currently has a 90 elpto saltwater mounted, I would like the peace of mind of a spare to get me home, we run the rivers alot and one engine is no fun when it stops working and you go with the current, I would like to put a kicker on it, i guess my main question is can the hull hold a kicker without issue, It sure seems like it is built like a tank, but again it is a new to me boat. I have a 25hp yamaha 4 stroke I could add a tiller to and use it if its not too much hanging off the back, or second option sell the 25 and buy something smaller and lighter, its just a heavy boat and not sure if an 8hp or less would push it well at all.
Thanks

[wingtime]

25HP is WAY overkill for that hull.  Even a 15hp on a 245 Explorer has enough weight to cause a list.  A kicker will not get you up on a plane.  But it can give you peace of mind.  To be honest a 5 or 6 hp is more than enough to push that boat around.  I have a 9.9HP Honda that I'm thinking of getting ride of.  It is a rather heavy motor for a 10 horse though.

[barbwire44]

Your probably right. just simple for me because its hanging in garage. ill start snooping out the smaller engines.

[RickK]

A strong 24V trolling motor will get you around, almost get that boat up on plane. Say a 80 lbs thrust.

[CTsalt12]

I would use sea tow and an anchor for peace of mind personally.  If you fish, electric trolling motors are awesome and you definitely won't even need 80 lb.  I have a 55 lb on my 175 AS and it gets me moving and has gotten me out of trouble once actually when my motor stalled. 

[wingtime]

I agree Boat US Membership or Seatow is inexpensive peace of mind.  My experience with outboards is they are usually very reliable...  if you have a hard time getting it started on the ramp... and it runs rough there your gonna have issues.  Keeping fresh fuel.. preferably non ethanol in the boat goes a long way.  Don't let them sit... I know life gets in the way quick... if it does... start the thing and let it run once a month if you can.

[RickK]

I had a 55 lbs on my 170 and was out in the middle of the bay when the motor died - there was a 7 knot wind and I had to head into it to get back to the dock - couldn't overcome it.  Sure I could have gone the other way but my truck was the way I couldn't go. I've used a 80 lb on a 170 and it was awesome. That is what I will put on mine soon. The guy that owned the boat said he can go a few days on a charge and that he uses fu;ll throttle as lot.
That was before I got Seatow.

[barbwire44]

i will add an trolling motor soon, im going to look at a 6hp yamaha 4 stroke tomorrow. I think that will get me home under most circumstances. i could have used it this evening..lol im having trouble with my main engine, ill start another topic see if anyone has any suggestions.

[barbwire44]

mounted the 6hp it works good, top speed of 5mph, but it is at least getting back to the trailer if the big motor acts up.