4.5 mercury 2 stroke

[KJM]

If we’re me I would look for a long shaft so you’re not having to hang over the stern so much to operate it. The adjustable kicker mount should provide enough set back to pass behind your trim tabs.
Jmo

I was more worried about the engine being too low in the water and maybe sucking water thru the air intake. I plan on getting one of those rods that hook from the kicker to the main for steering. Alternately I've seen vid's of people locking the kicker in straight forward and lowering the main and using that as a rudder to steer. Only problem with that is you have the drag of the main working against the kicker. I don't have a kicker bought yet, just looking at the options.

 

[Scott Danforth]

you will be fine with a kicker bracket. you wont be on plane.

 

[JimS123]

My 5 HP 4-stroke is mounted so that the lower unit is in the proper position. It will propel a 3500 pound bowrider at 6.0 mph. Enuf for me.

 

[airshot]

FYI....I have a 16' aluminum with a 2.2 hp kicker motor and just lock it forward, using the main ( 40hp) to steer. Top speed is 5.0 mph (gps), with big motor up. 5.6 mph!
Not that much to worry about.

 

[KJM]

Ok, I need to revisit this post. I have found a 12 ft aluminum boat with aluminum trailer and a 2021 yamaha f9.9 short shaft motor for sale for $5000. That seems like a very good price and I wanted a small boat for fresh water fishing. I was hoping the outboard would double as a kicker for my larger boat pictured above. I would get a bracket that could be raised and lowered. Position it roughly where the tie down u bolts are on back which is 18 inches from bottom at that point. The water line on transom is 9 inches at that point. I don't care if I have to remove the trim tabs as they are not powered anyway. I'm most concerned with whether the motor will sit too low to the water when in use and maybe get swamped. Not worried about steering as I would tie into main engine to steer from front. Do you guys think this is feasible or is a long shaft motor a must?

 

[KJM]

I started a new thread. Please reply there if interested.