What hp kicker motor do i need ?

lawrence101

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Aug 9, 2015
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I have a 75hp main outboard engine on a 16' boat weighing approx. 1600 pounds, what size auxiliary motor would be sufficient ? The reason im asking is that im to meet someone tomorrow afternoon that's selling a 9.9 hp ( only 10 hours on the motor! ). But im not sure if the motor is powerful enough for my needs.
 

GA_Boater

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9.9 is more than enough for trolling and it will get you home if the big motor breaks. Not fast, but it'll do it.
 

dan t.

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Yep, a 9.9 is just about over kill for a 16 footer. I had a 16 ft Sangster with an 80 Merc and a 4.5 kicker, it was plenty for trolling and got me home from 9 miles out one time the 80 died from electrical problems.
 

littlerayray

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I'm assuming that the boat your buying the kicker for is in your avatar good luck have fun
 

Pony

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9.9 is perfect.....not that you needed any more confirmation ;)
 

airshot

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More than enough HP for your boat.....my concern would be the additional weight. Even if it is a two stroke, another 75lb on the transom along with your main motor might be a bit much. Then again you couls sell the 9.9 and get a smaller motor if the 9.9 is priced right. A small two stroke 4 hp or 5 would be plenty. I use a 9.9 on my 22' cuddy and it has plenty of power. Can get more than 10 mph out of it in an emergency.
 

Teamster

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Whatever you buy, Get a two cylinder,....The vibrations of a single will drive ya nuts,...........
 

NYBo

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Just so you know, if the HP of your main motor plus the kicker exceeds the rated capacity, you are technically overpowered.
 

smokeonthewater

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Only if they are running at the same time.

Personally I think a 9.9 is a bit much (heavy) for that boat... Would be looking for 5 hp myself.
 

fishin98

Chief Petty Officer
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Nov 28, 2009
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521
On my 2000 Bayliner 1802 Capri Cuddy...I had a 2007 Merc 5hp 4str long shaft kicker hanging on the back.It moved the boat quite well.
2qurn78.jpg
 
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Fleetwin

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A general rule I've always followed is: 10% of your main engine HP. In your case, 7.5.
 

Pony

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Only if they are running at the same time.

Personally I think a 9.9 is a bit much (heavy) for that boat... Would be looking for 5 hp myself.

Sort of difficult to say for sure without better specs on the boat. I have fished a lot out of a 16ft alumacraft dominator that had a 75hp main and a 9.9 kicker. Was absolutely fine and wasn't too heavy.

I have also fished in 16 footers whet I wouldn't dream of using a 9.9 as a kicker.
 

Pony

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A general rule I've always followed is: 10% of your main engine HP. In your case, 7.5.


Im not sure that once you get above 100hp that would make much sense. All those tournament walleye boats with 250/300 hp would have 25/35hp kickers.

In this case it works....but I'd still want the 9.9. Where I troll I would want the extra power if I needed to use it to get back to the launch in 3-4 footers for a 5-10 mile stretch
 

ondarvr

Supreme Mariner
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Apr 6, 2005
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Not true. And that is actual CG policy. Strange, I admit.

The CG has nothing to say about it, it would be a local regulation. The CG just makes recommendations, they don't regulate it.
 

NYBo

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The CG has nothing to say about it, it would be a local regulation. The CG just makes recommendations, they don't regulate it.

Actually, they do. They can enforce it and terminate a voyage immediately on the basis of being overpowered. Not likely to happen, though. You also can't pass a vessel safety check, if that's important to you.
 
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