outboard correct hp

[sabadd]

Well I got the channel plugged up today should be alot better now.
I have another question, what would be the best horse power for a kicker motor? Not only to troll but to get her back home. It is a 22 foot trophy. I have a 6.5 2 stroke long shaft in the shed would that be fine? and is the best place for the fuel tank on the swim step.

Steve

[Randygh]

Steve--I have a 26' Carver and my kicker is a 9.8 Merc longshaft. The motor pushes my boat up to about 5 mph. I consider it a limp home motor but wouldn't want to depend on it in a strong current or wind. I mount the kicker fuel tank on the swimstep.

[pkrogh]

Steve,
I have an '82 Trophy 22'er and a Johnson 2 stroke 15hp kicker. It will push
the old tug along at about 7-8 mph. I have the high thrust prop on it.
I just put the tank in the cockpit and the hose goes over the transom to the
motor.

Pete

[SomeSailor]

Well I got the channel plugged up today should be alot better now.
I have another question, what would be the best horse power for a kicker motor? Not only to troll but to get her back home. It is a 22 foot trophy. I have a 6.5 2 stroke long shaft in the shed would that be fine? and is the best place for the fuel tank on the swim step.

Steve

I'm seeing most using 9.9 and 15 long shafts. I've got a 18 on my old Carver, but haven't seen how it'll push it along yet. It's a pretty light 19 footer so it should scoot pretty well.

[heymagic]

The boat will only go hull speed with a small motor...5mph or so. If it attains that with the 6.5 you're good, going larger will offer no gains. If no then a slighlty larger motor will help a little. Beyond the point of hull speed more power will go no faster but just bog the motor or cavitate the prop.

Many boaters use the kicker on dinghys as well. Then the power becomes an issue. Most dinghys won't plane with 2 people on 5 hp. 8 or better lets them scoot. 15 hp is really quick. Generally a 6 and 8 are the same motor and weight. A 9.9 and 15 are the same motor and weight.

Consider the weight of the OB and how you're going to get it on and off the swimstep also. Your 6.5 is a long shaft, reasonably sized and you own it. Pretty attractive motor...I'd try it first. Gene

[SomeSailor]

I finally found a conversion kit for my 18. Need to get that installed while the weather is snotty. Was whining about at a freinds house a few weeks back and he says "I think I have one of those laying around here somewhere" ... reaches into a stack of crap in his tool shed and pulls out a PERFECT long shaft conversion kit form my 18HP. I was shocked! :)

[Pegasis]

If you're also going to use this kicker for fishing, it's hard to beat the Yamaha 8 or 9.9 high thrust 4-cycle engines. These engines run quiet and if you get the electric start option you also have an alternate charging system for your batteries.

Also if you get the 8 HP engine you also have an option of electric tilt.