Kicker Motor - 2001 Suzuki 15HP

[mtemple]

I have an 18 ft Lund Fisherman with Johnson 115 4-Stroke on it. Looking at a used 2001 Suzuki 15HP 4-Stroke as a kicker. The Suzuki has all the controls and it would be just a matter of installing it.

Want to use it for trolling and backup in case of breakdown.

The Johnson idles down fine for trolling but a couple of local lakes only allow motors less then 25HP (4-Stroke) or 15HP (2-Stroke).

Any Thoughts on how this might work as kicker for the Fisherman. Suggestions for setup would be great too.

Thanks

 

[Solittle]

Re: Kicker Motor - 2001 Suzuki 15HP

A 15 would actually be more than you need. I can't speak to the Suzy though.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Kicker Motor - 2001 Suzuki 15HP

I would go with a 2 stroke.Much less maintenance,lighter
and less complication.Then there is the parts availability.Although I think Suzuki is involved with Evinrude/Johnson somehow.

 

[Rancherlee]

Re: Kicker Motor - 2001 Suzuki 15HP

plenty of kicker for your boat, and will use less gas then a 15hp 2 stroke. Evinrude/Johnson/Suzuki 4 strokes are all Suzuki engines with different stickers on them. My Grandpa has a Yamaha 9.9 4 stroke on his 21' Lund Baron and its plenty of motor for a kicker.

 

[Capt. Crunch]

Re: Kicker Motor - 2001 Suzuki 15HP

I think the 15 is overkill for an 18' boat. I just replaced my kicker on my 16' with a new Honda 5HP and love it (less than one gallon of gas per 8 hrs of trolling). My buddy pushes his 19' Grumman with a Johnson 6HP 4s. Both our boats are very deep dual console aluminum boats loaded for downrigger fishing Lake Ontario. My Honda 5HP replaced an Evinrude 9.5HP that sucked gas like mad. I still have both motors, but the 2s will only see water in emergencies.

I think the ideal motor is the Honda/Yamaha 8HP 4s. You get the gas savings plus the smoothness of twin cylinders. People around here push up to 24' glass boats with the 8HP HT models.

 

[JB]

Re: Kicker Motor - 2001 Suzuki 15HP

Not all JohnnyRude 4 strokes were Suzis.

During the 90s OMC built some nice 4 strokes. I believe they were all 9.9 and 15hp, but they might have built an 8 also.

I had a '97 Johnny 9.9 that was a sweet runner, but at 107lb heavy compared to 2 stroke 9.9s.