Kicker size?

[roy w. shakun]

I have an 18 foot nautico cat, with a 60 4 stroke yam. I would like to know if anyone can tell me if one of the new 4 stroke nissan 6 hp would be enpough to push this boat 4 to 5 mph? Total weight with fuel and 2 adults is about 1600 pounds. I would really like the peace of mind of an auxillary motor. thankyou.

 

[DJ]

Re: Kicker size?

You would struggle with that. Go at LEAST 9.9

 

[roy w. shakun]

Re: Kicker size?

9.9 even in a 2 stroke starts getting really heavy on the transom. as it is, this boat has very little displacement. weight on one side becomes a problem. i had to move the battery to offset the weight of the fuel cell, which is located in one of the sponsoons,????? i have been looking at the lightest motors. 9.9's are all well over a 100 pounds.

 

[BBogey]

Re: Kicker size?

I have a 17' semi V aluminum duck boat. With gear, my 2002 Nissan 6HP 4-stroke pushes me along at about 5.5 mph according to GPS, if that helps?

 

[Clay]

Re: Kicker size?

Is It really nessasary to use a kicker with a 4 stroke?. I'v seen guys troll all day with them. Does it hurt the engine?

 

[DJ]

Re: Kicker size?

Cootie's right. If your thinking you need the kicker for trolling-don't bother. If you want it for a safety factor, that's another matter.

 

[roy w. shakun]

Re: Kicker size?

safety only, don't like tow jobs. i am looking for the best power to weight ratio, and i think i am going to have to go back to 2 stroke, which........thanks for the reply's. roy

 

[mbb]

Re: Kicker size?

my 17.5' boat weighs 1500 lb. 2 persons (400 lb), fuel (200 lb), motor (320 lb), gear (100 lb) and kicker (120lb), 2 batteries (100 lb) all weighs about 2750 lb. I use yamaha high thrust 9.9, pushes at 5-6 knots at about 2/3 throttle, no faster at full throttle. I believe that the yamaha 8 hp high thrust would be more than adequate for me, and significantly lighter. One thing is for sure, whichever motor you use, you need a very low pitch prop. I tried 6hp on 19' boat yrs ago, wouldnt even move it with the prop on the motor.

 

[John from Madison CT]

Re: Kicker size?

Yes, MBB is correct. The pitch of the prop may be as important as the horse power of the motor.<br /><br />Whatever size you get make sure you get the "push" prop or sailboat prop, which is always a very low pitch.<br /><br />While I've not even run my newly acquired 5hp 4 stroke Tohatsu yet, I'm already looking for the lower pitch prop for it.<br /><br />John

 

[roy w. shakun]

Re: Kicker size?

Thankyou for the tip on the lower pitched prop. Pushing a planing hull at displacement speeds, requires less pitch not more. Thanks, and happy and healthy new year to everyone!