kicker engine

[all thumbs]

I do alot of fresh water trolling with my 50hp putting alot of idle hours on it. I was thinking of getting a 3.5hp. 4stroke nissan or tohatsu. They weigh in at around 41lbs. My 16.5' lund is rated for a 60hp. I can't seem to find anything on transom weight for this boat. Just wondering if anyone thinks this might be too much added weight?

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: kicker engine

Weight wise your fine, but with an aluminium hull you are going to get some vibration off of a one-cylinder engine.

 

[JB]

Re: kicker engine

Would be much more pleasant with a little 2 stroke twin.

My favorite, as you may have heard, is the JohnnyRude 3,3.5,4HP series started with the JW models in 1952 and jazzed up but never excelled.

One lung 4 strokes are just too buzzy for my taste.

 

[wbeaton]

Re: kicker engine

I agree with JB's opinion on the OMC 3-4 hp motors, however, I'd get something with a little more power. My 3 hp motors are a little light for my 14.5' aluminium. I'd go for a 4.5 - 6 hp.

 

[all thumbs]

Re: kicker engine

Vibration is something I never thought about. Just trying not to have to mix gas but will do that over having the buzz. I'll go bigger on the hp. as long as the weight dosen't get to be a problem. Searching old posts looks like a long shaft would be better too. Thanks for the help,
a t

 

[ondarvr]

Re: kicker engine

In my part of the world almost every boat has a kicker and rarely do you see anybody with a 2 or 4 stroke single, at least not for long. They make so much noise and vibrate enough on an aluminum boat to make trolling a real pain. Any of the small twins will be a much better choise, don't worry as much about HP as the conditon of the motor. I have a 1969 6hp Evinrude that I keep saying I should replace, been saying it for 15 years, but it just keeps running with minimal mantinance. I've used this motor since it was new and I was a young teen, salt, fresh, river, big boats, small boats, bad gas, bad oil, 5 years on the same plugs and it just keeps running. If you can afford a 4 stroke all the better, smoother, quieter and your boat will handle the weight of any of them.

 

[DJ]

Re: kicker engine

A John/Rude 6 (twin cylinder-2 stroke) would be my first choice.

I like to have kickers that are about 10% of the max. rated HP of the boat. A 6 is perfect.

I picked up a beauty, last year, for $450.00.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: kicker engine

there are several on ebay right now.

 

[all thumbs]

Re: kicker engine

Thanks , next step is finding one,I'll check ebay.