Backup Trolling Motor

[toolbox91]

I have done extensive searching on this subject but would really appreciate some direct opinions. I have a new to me 93 Sea Ray Sundancer 230 23ft. I will be using it primarily on small to medium sized lakes many of which have no readily available towing service. While I will be maintaining the 4.3l mercruser, it is an older boat and things are bound to break. I really want a backup motor to get me back to the boat ramp should worse come to worse. I have looked at 5-10hp kickers but struggling with mounting them on the Sundancer stern and the integrated swim platform. I really prefer the idea of an electric trolling motor that can be stored out of the way in the bilge and be put to use if/when the need arises. Please keep in mind this is strictly for emergencies. I would not be concerned with going anywhere fast as long as I'm making headway. Would a 60-86lb trolling motor suffice my needs or am I wasting my time and $$$$? Seeing as I wouldn't be on rivers or ocean waterways I shouldn't have to worry about fighting tides or currents. What do you think?

 

[Old Ironmaker]

I'm not optimistic that even an 85lb thrust electric will move that 23 footer. If you know the gross weight of the Sea Ray and the weight of everything else on board the specs of the capability of an electric will tell you if that electric will do the job. There are some 100 lb 36 volt electrics out there that are able to move big Bass and Walleye boats, how fast and in what weather and for how long before the batteries were dead? Personally I would go the way of a 20 or 25 HP 2 stroke kicker. I have a 15 HP kicker on my 19' tin StarCraft, I can get to about 8 mph into the wind and that's about it. An electric may move the boat but in what conditions like I said? I would sleep better at night knowing I could get to safety with a good gas kicker.

 

[mr 88]

I would think someone makes a fold down bracket that could be through bolted to the platform . That way it's basically out of the way when using the platform . That way you could put a 5-9 hp in the bilge out of the way. If I was on a small to mid size lake I wouldn't worry to much about it . Have the engine tuned up once a year and carry a cell. Most Fire and or Police agency's that have a lake in there boundaries also have a boat standing by. Get some local info /cell numbers from the Marina or Tackle and Bait shop. Small lake ,the worst that may happen is you drift ashore .

 

[JimS123]

Look at a Panther Outboard mount model 550030. Its designed for mounting on a swim platform and will handle up to 20 HP. I have one on my SeaRay and its the best kicker mount I have ever used.

 

[Sprig]

They make trolling motor mounts for swim platforms , I’m not sure how you steer but they make them. Search the net. Perhaps iBoats has them.
Forget trying an electric trolling motor. They make powerful electrics but they would not be adequate for your boat. The least wind and you would be out of luck.
For your boat I’d consider a 15 hp minimum. I’ve had trolling motors on all my boats for the last 30 years. I’m a fisherman and actually troll with them. I also have electric which I prefer trolling with except when windy then only the gas motor works I well.
I wouldn’t be without a backup motor. It saved my bacon a few years ago. I was fishing the California delta a thousand miles of waterways, it as December. At dark I decided to head back to the launch, motor wouldn’t start. I was 10 miles from the launch and there was nothing in between, no marinas, nothing. No other boaters around either. The delta is affected by tide, current and wind. The little kicker got me home. If it wasn’t for that motor I’d have been stuck out there over night and longer. It’s pretty deserted out there in the winter. Find a way to get yourself a kicker, you’ll be glad you did, you’ll just feel better when you’re out there by yourself knowing you can get back.

 

[JimS123]

I wouldn’t be without a backup motor. It saved my bacon a few years ago. If it wasn’t for that motor I’d have been stuck out there over night and longer. It’s pretty deserted out there in the winter. Find a way to get yourself a kicker, you’ll be glad you did, you’ll just feel better when you’re out there by yourself knowing you can get back.

My favorite fishing hole is within sight of the mist rising from Niagara falls. Needless to say, every time I buy a new boat it doesn't get launched until a kicker is installed. I only was stranded once, and that was with a brand new boat/motor. The kicker got me home.

I agree, a 15 HP would be fine.

 

[toolbox91]

Thanks for the input! Just looking for a reliable and affordable option and don't want to waste time and money on an electric if it's not going to do squat when the time comes. I'll look more into a 10-15hp gas kicker. Would it be realistic to store this in the bilge until the need for it arose? Is there any issues storing vertically? I'm comfortable working on cars and jet skis but boats are a bit of a new concept to me. I don't like relying on anyone else to get me home either. We plan on sleeping overnight on this boat frequently and I really don't want to wakeup in the morning to the main engine not starting.

 

[toolbox91]

I know I read somewhere that an electric trolling motor should figure 2lbs for every 100lbs of boat weight. NADA has my boat specs at 3500lbs. I figure 500 lbs for fluids and gear (may be under estimating) puts me at 80lb trolling requirement. As for batteries I refuse to be without a generator so even if I had to stop and charge it would be fine. Again Im looking for absolute minimum required to get me home safely. If I'm way back on the lake and it takes me 8 hours to get home then so be it. However it sounds like a small gasser is my better option.

 

[toolbox91]

Look at a Panther Outboard mount model 550030. Its designed for mounting on a swim platform and will handle up to 20 HP. I have one on my SeaRay and its the best kicker mount I have ever used.

I just looked at that mount and it looks like exactly what I need! I was worried that the prop would reach the water but the lower setting looks promising

 

[Captain Caveman]

A boater distress flag could help too. I've been towed by another boat and have towed several boats myself. This summer, a couple in a beautiful 1960s Starcraft hit a rock and lost their lower unit in my bay. I heard the noise and went down to the dock. I loaded up and boated over as they were starting to paddle the five miles back to the boat landing. I tossed them a line and slowly towed them back.

You could add a motor, but you're not going out to sea. On small-to-medium size lakes you can do fine with a boater distress flag, an airhorn, and a good flashlight to get people's attention.

 

[JimS123]

A boater distress flag could help too. I've been towed by another boat and have towed several boats myself. This summer, a couple in a beautiful 1960s Starcraft hit a rock and lost their lower unit in my bay. I heard the noise and went down to the dock. I loaded up and boated over as they were starting to paddle the five miles back to the boat landing. I tossed them a line and slowly towed them back.

You could add a motor, but you're not going out to sea. On small-to-medium size lakes you can do fine with a boater distress flag, an airhorn, and a good flashlight to get people's attention.

We are required to have that flag aboard anyway. However, at dusk and after no amount of signalling equipment will be of use if there are no other boats on the water.

 

[JimS123]

Thanks for the input! Just looking for a reliable and affordable option and don't want to waste time and money on an electric if it's not going to do squat when the time comes. I'll look more into a 10-15hp gas kicker. Would it be realistic to store this in the bilge until the need for it arose? Is there any issues storing vertically? I'm comfortable working on cars and jet skis but boats are a bit of a new concept to me. I don't like relying on anyone else to get me home either. We plan on sleeping overnight on this boat frequently and I really don't want to wakeup in the morning to the main engine not starting.

If you buy a 4-stroke, sideways storage must be very specific or the oil will run out. 2-strokes no problem.

Carrying a 15 and mounting it on the platform can be a real PITA. I keep my kicker on the Panther all the time. The OB has a tilt lock and it is always up and out of the way.

Every kicker I have ever had was equipped with a steering rod. I put a QD ball / socket on the kicker and the main and then simply attach the rod when in use. Its real easy on twin OBs, but my I/O was fitted as well. It just took a little effort to reach out over the back.

 

[Starcraft5834]

side storage of 4 stroke..is "tiller up"... 15hp not small (110-125lbs) mount it and leave it on...that's to heavy IMHO.. electric trolling motor may be easier to install but weak and ineffective moving 23 ft boat.. lots of glass boats with sloped transoms or swim decks make kicker install a problem......

 

[matt167]

I wouldn't try mounting a 15-20hp motor on the lake, over the back side of an I/O.... Unless you want to give it swimming lessons

 

[Old Ironmaker]

Thanks for the input! Just looking for a reliable and affordable option and don't want to waste time and money on an electric if it's not going to do squat when the time comes. I'll look more into a 10-15hp gas kicker. Would it be realistic to store this in the bilge until the need for it arose? Is there any issues storing vertically? I'm comfortable working on cars and jet skis but boats are a bit of a new concept to me. I don't like relying on anyone else to get me home either. We plan on sleeping overnight on this boat frequently and I really don't want to wakeup in the morning to the main engine not starting.

Every year my 15 HP 2 stroke that used to weigh around 100 lbs gets heavier and heavier every year. A 9.9 weighs the same as a 15. I no longer remove it from the boat and store it indoors, it's too heavy to carry now. As I thought the consensus is that an electric will not serve your purposes. Why do you not want the kicker mounted permanently? Esthetics? I hear you if it is, as I age looks don't mean as much when it comes to my boat.

I made a custom steering linkage that marries the kicker to my outboard. Running back and forth from the helm to the kicker is a pain in the butt. My pal has to do the running to and fro in his boat, it is a pain for sure. I detest trolling in his boat when I am at the helm. Good exercise but I don't want to exercise fishing. I'm sure someone has come up with a solution by now to marry a kicker to an I/O.

 

[toolbox91]

Every year my 15 HP 2 stroke that used to weigh around 100 lbs gets heavier and heavier every year. A 9.9 weighs the same as a 15. I no longer remove it from the boat and store it indoors, it's too heavy to carry now. As I thought the consensus is that an electric will not serve your purposes. Why do you not want the kicker mounted permanently? Esthetics? I hear you if it is, as I age looks don't mean as much when it comes to my boat.

I made a custom steering linkage that marries the kicker to my outboard. Running back and forth from the helm to the kicker is a pain in the butt. My pal has to do the running to and fro in his boat, it is a pain for sure. I detest trolling in his boat when I am at the helm. Good exercise but I don't want to exercise fishing. I'm sure someone has come up with a solution by now to marry a kicker to an I/O.

I really don't care about the looks of keeping it mounted permanently. More interested in it taking up room on the platform but it sounds like permanent mount is the way to go.
I'll get the distress flag but I would much rather be giving assistance than asking for it. I like to be prepared to help myself.

Anything in particular I need to be looking for or will any 8-15hp outboard do? I'm starting to watch FB marketplace for deals. I'm thinking I might be buying a small fishing boat just for the motor haha.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

There aren't many 8 HP motors out there, 9.9 yes. As for anything in particular in what to look for in a small O/B brand is what many look for. Honda's seem to be at the top of the pecking order. I have an electric start kicker with controls, I got lucky to find it and it is the same brand and year as my 115 Mariner. It matches right down to the colours. If you are only using the kicker as a back up electric start isn't a deal killer. But it sure would be prudent to start and run the kicker every time you take the big boat out, nothing like having back up that won't run and run well. Horse power trumps most things. A 15 HP is the same size and weight as a 9.9. Carburation makes for the extra 5 HP. I have heard of folks buying the boat just to get the motor.

 

[Scott Danforth]

if you can move a 37 foot sail boat with a 2hp suzuki mounted to a dingly (its been done)

you can move your 23 foot boat to shore with a 1.5hp weedwhacker converted to outboard hanging off the swim ladder. (this also has been done)

however I prefer to simply wave down a fisherman to have them tow me to a dock if needed, then give them $50 or a few beers.

 

[JimS123]

if you can move a 37 foot sail boat with a 2hp suzuki mounted to a dingly (its been done)

you can move your 23 foot boat to shore with a 1.5hp weedwhacker converted to outboard hanging off the swim ladder. (this also has been done)

however I prefer to simply wave down a fisherman to have them tow me to a dock if needed, then give them $50 or a few beers.

Our current boat is 19' and 2750 pounds dry. The kicker I have on my Panther bracket is a 5 HP Mercury Sail Pro. Its specific for sailboats and thus has a low pitch prop already installed. Also included is a generator with a cable that can be used to fire up a dead battery. They come in short, long and extra long shaft sizes to fit most applications.

One of the conveniences it that it has a built-in tank, OR you can attach a portable tank.

I have a quick detachable rod to facilitate steering. I run it about once a month just to keep her exercised.

Just today I had her running. Started 2nd pull. It was windy today, but nevertheless I can still turn port or stbd in no more than a couple of boat lengths. At 3/4 throttle I was able to make 6.2 mph gps.

 

[Texasmark]

Look at a Panther Outboard mount model 550030. Its designed for mounting on a swim platform and will handle up to 20 HP. I have one on my SeaRay and its the best kicker mount I have ever used.

I don't boat in that size/type boating circles but I would certainly entertain a gasoline kicker over any battery powered device. First thing that comes to light is storing enough energy on board on a constant basis for powering the electric motor vs already having an ample supply of fuel. Running high consumption electric motors, especially for any length of time, requires a lot of battery capacity which are bulky, heavy, have to be maintained and purchased.

Wind would be your biggest concern on the ™ for power (even if you had ample battery capacity.....which would have to be added to your current rigging) and bow mounting would be an absolute necessity....low power would require pulling the boat rather than trying to push it. Kickers easily overcome this problem, even if they are a little inconvenient. Not familiar with your particular hull configuration, recalling the Sundancer bow area to be awkward for a person to access for ™ setup....plus the awkwardness of having a shaft length sufficient to function properly with that much freeboard.

On signaling devices, someone has to be available to see/hear/communicate with... them for them too work.