Which kicker motor?

Red shad · **Posted:** Mon Jan 24, 2005 8:20 pm

Hi guys,

Have recently bought a used Lund 17ft Mr Pike. Has a Yamaha 115 HP 4 stroke which I am told will push the boat along as slow as approximately 1.5 MPH when trolling. I am told this is too fast for trolling walleye. So question is will I get boat speed slow enough with a 15 HP 4 stroke kicker...or will i need to come down to something like a 6HP 4 stroke? :?:

Advice appreciated.

Mac

Tiny · **Joined:** Thu Dec 02, 2004 10:30 am **Posts:** 13

My humble opinion would be that a 9.9 hp, four stroke would be more versatile i.e. will troll down to whatever you need, big enough to get you off the water reasonably quick if #1 fails, quiet, good on gas.

Seems to be lots on the used market if that's what you're looking at.

DanS · **Joined:** Mon Sep 09, 2002 6:38 pm **Posts:** 21

Hey Mac,I have an 18ft fibreglass cutter made in 1969.Very heavy boat.1600lbs.I have a 4hp 2 stroke merc and I get a beautiful troll.My guess is anything under 25 hp will do the trick.

Red shad · **Posted:** Tue Jan 25, 2005 1:41 pm

Thanks guys...appreciated. Have decided on a 9.9 hp ...and will look around for a good used motor.

once again my thanks

Mac

Wall-I-Guy · **Posted:** Tue Jan 25, 2005 1:46 pm

First thing you may consider is using a drift sock. You'd be shocked how it'll slow you down if you've never used one. The other thing is, 1.5 mph isn't too fast IMHO. I catch most at that speed at certain times of the year. Now slower is sometimes better, but you'll also want to go faster at times.

That's why I'd suggest the drift sock, save yourself a pile of money, and believe me, they work. I use one on my 75 hp honda to get me to 1.5 mph. I use two to get me slower.

Red shad · **Posted:** Tue Jan 25, 2005 2:04 pm

Yes...have used drift socks before and they have their place, however, kicker is not only wanted for slow trolling, but also as auxilliary to the main motor in the event of a breakdown while out on the lake. It may never happen...but it only needs to happen once!

Mac

polliwogg · **Posted:** Tue Jan 25, 2005 4:23 pm

A 15 4 stroke will be a heavy kicker on a 17'er, I have to give my 72 23' glastron some tab to compensate for a 7.5 merc thats around 75 lb. If the 9.9 will not plane your boat a smaller motor might work just as well? if your not concerned with speed the lightest water cooled and underwater xst would be what i'd be looking at.

roughrider · **Joined:** Tue Jun 17, 2003 9:18 pm **Posts:** 97

I have a 17.5 ft tiller with a 6hp 4 stroke tiller. That motor will cover your speeds you will need too get down too. I think the 9.9 may not have enough low range for that size boat. I can get down to .8 mph with the 6hp.good luck :wink:

roughrider

big-o · **Posted:** Tue Jan 25, 2005 10:47 pm

I agree with Roughrider....I have a 2004 Merc 9.9 big foot 4 stroke, I found it real hard to hold and maintain a real slow speed...i have a 17 foot Gen-x Legend with a 90 merc four stroke....if I had to do over i would drop HP, It's tought to control the speed of the Kicker and steer the boat at the same time....if you can, get a remote trottle ...i would highly recomend it(if your boat has steering)during last fall with so much wind , i found we were constantly trying to regulate my speed and steer the boat...this turned out to be a two man job, I'm now hoping to get the cable throttle to the cockpit of the boat...I hope this eliminate the problem, but on the good side of the 9.9....i have great motor for my 14 foot car topper

Wall-I-Guy · **Posted:** Wed Jan 26, 2005 3:06 am

One issue I had when I had a kicker was the rpm's. I had a 16 foot 2000 Legend with a 25 hp 4 stroke and bought a brand new 6 hp for a kicker. Seems the rpm couldn't get low enough. Found even that too fast.

My numbers may be off here, it's been awhile but, I think the factory setting was 1100 rpm??. When the dealership called Merc to explain my issue they suggested lowering it to 900, but strongly advised against it. Well as it turns out, got it down to 800 rpm and, it was still too fast. I got rid of it for the simple reason, it wouldn't do what I wanted.

I can however, understand your need to have it as an auxillary motor.

Tiny · **Joined:** Thu Dec 02, 2004 10:30 am **Posts:** 13

If you want a great system for controlling the speed of your kicker remotely for approx. $200 US plug in TOPLINECONTROL on your internet.

Red shad · **Posted:** Wed Jan 26, 2005 2:03 pm

Thanks guys...lots to consider! Water will be hard for a month or so to come....so no immediate rush. Trying to balance the need for a motor that will push my boat along relatively well (not plane) in the event of the main motor failing while out on the lake, in combination with one that will allow real slow trolling if needs be.

I have a 4HP 2 stroke Mariner with an internal tank....but don't relish the prospect of carrying spare fuel for it OR 2 stroke exhaust in my face in a following breeze.

Anyway guys... thanks to all...greatly appreciated.

Mac

eye tracker · **Posted:** Mon Jan 31, 2005 4:25 pm

macadian wrote:

Hi guys,

Have recently bought a used Lund 17ft Mr Pike. Has a Yamaha 115 HP 4 stroke which I am told will push the boat along as slow as approximately 1.5 MPH when trolling. I am told this is too fast for trolling walleye. So question is will I get boat speed slow enough with a 15 HP 4 stroke kicker...or will i need to come down to something like a 6HP 4 stroke? :?:

Advice appreciated.

Mac

Hello Mac...

Just troll cranks and cover water...most cranks like to rip along at a minimum of 1.8mph. Just think how many cranks you can buy for the cost of a kicker :wink:

Cheers'

-et

hairybumcrack · **Joined:** Tue Nov 09, 2004 5:59 pm **Posts:** 61

Hey Mac, congrats on the boat and too bad we couldn't get mine out from storage for you to view.

Regarding the kicker, my buddy has a Lund 18' Tournament Pro V with a 115 + a 9.9 4 stroke Merc. His 4 stroke doesn't seem to work well but more importantly, he has to change his props to get speeds down to .6pmh when we head down for fall walleye on the bay. My 6hp 4-stroke was perfect on my 166 SP as it would troll down with no issues and yet have enough power to be able to do 12mph pushing the boat.

Lund Mr. Pike's are nice boats and I almost considered one at one time due to their beam but the depth wasn't there plus I wanted a top for stopping the sun during those hot days salmon fishing.

Cheers

Red shad · **Posted:** Tue Feb 01, 2005 1:31 pm

Hi John,

Hoping the Lund will work out. Seems to fit the bill ok. Will be living on the 'Reach' so will never be far from home.

Yes...have done a little more research and the 6Hp 4 stroke is likely to be what I will go for.

Sure you will move your boat real quick come spring etc....as i said, we decided to go newer as we only intend to buy one boat and hope this one will see me out...lol

Mac

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Which kicker motor?

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