Kicker Motor Options

[Fish'n Technish'n]

Well, I know it was Mother's Day but she brought it up!!
She told me to look for a "kicker" motor for the new boat so "she can troll for Muskies/Walleyes etc"
Damn I LOVE that girl!!
Anyways, before I lay out the cash for it, I thought I would ask for suggestions
1/ What motor would you reccommend & why?
2/ What's the BEST way to hang it off the transom? Clamp it on/kicker bracket?
3/ Anything I should watch for/ shaft length( how to determine?)

This Motor will be gong on my 16' Sylvan with dual console and 75 HP Merc.

I would like to be able to troll slow for Walleyes & faster for Muskies.
Is a BiGfoot or High Thrust one worth the extra etc etc.

Thanks FT

[Fish'n Technish'n]

WOW! 50 views and ZERO replies with advice. Must be a tougher question than I thought! LOL

FT

[troutnmuskiehunter]

check your PMs

[eye-tracker]

1/ What motor would you reccommend & why?
2/ What's the BEST way to hang it off the transom? Clamp it on/kicker bracket?
3/ Anything I should watch for/ shaft length( how to determine?)

1. I would recommend the mercury pro-kicker. The reason is the motor is designed as a kicker. Has high trust, heavy duty bracket, hydraulic lift, centering straps and electric start.
2. The best way to hang a kicker is bolted directly to and trough the transom. Brackets and clamps come loose and odds are you will loose the kicker when running in rough water or it will bounce around and damage the kicker or bracket.
3. The pro-kicker only comes in the long shaft lengths, make sure your full kicker prop is below the hull of the boat for a good bite in rough conditions.

-sheldon

[Fish'n Technish'n]

Thank you Sheldon!
That is exactly the kind of info I am looking for. Now if i can only find the right one for the right price!LOL

FT

[Peppino]

F n T,

I have a 4.5 hp Evinrude long shaft set up on my 176 Springbok / 70 hp. It has lots of bite. On a calm day I can get 4 mph on gps. Rode through the swells of the St-Lawrence no problem.

I really like it for most of my applications but will switch to the main motor when I want to speed troll spinnerbaits.

I clamped it on an aluminium plate and locked the handles.

If I had to buy new, would probably look at a 6 hp longshaft.

Joe

[muskymatt]

What Sheldon said!!

I am having a Merc pro kicker installed as soon as the marina can locate one, (already paid for it) seems they are very popular and are on back order

However they are an excellent addition for the troller .

With the price of gas it should help out with the $$$$$ this year.

Tilt trim , electric start and piggy backed off the original moter= great set up.

[JP]

as Sheldon said get the Pro Kicker.

JP

[Fish'n Technish'n]

Anybody got any connections for a good price on a Prokicker??

FT

[XXXL]

CR's Marine Service in Schenectady NY had them for about $2400 US when I was down there to pick up my boat last month. He had 2 in the showroom when I was there. It's about a 5 hour drive from Ottawa but based on the last prices I got from local dealers it's well worth the drive. I'll be heading down there next spring to pick one up once I fill my piggy bank back up

[1lastcast]

The Merc Pro Kicker sure is the best going. However you can save some cash buying a 8 or 9.9 long shaft 4 stroke merc. Most everyone is selling off these engines and upgrading to the pro kicker.

I have a 8hp merc 4 stroke with a long shaft. It does the job for my 18ft Legend with a 115 optimax. I dont have power trim or any of the fancy stuff. I did connect it to my boats fuel tank using a "T" fitting. I also connected a steering rod to allow me to use my wheel and steer the kicker. It also helps hold the kicker from falling sideways when not in use.

www.portcolbornemarine.com

[Rufous03]

Well, I know it was Mother's Day but she brought it up!!
She told me to look for a "kicker" motor for the new boat so "she can troll for Muskies/Walleyes etc"
Damn I LOVE that girl!!
Anyways, before I lay out the cash for it, I thought I would ask for suggestions
1/ What motor would you reccommend & why?
2/ What's the BEST way to hang it off the transom? Clamp it on/kicker bracket?
3/ Anything I should watch for/ shaft length( how to determine?)

This Motor will be gong on my 16' Sylvan with dual console and 75 HP Merc.

I would like to be able to troll slow for Walleyes & faster for Muskies.
Is a BiGfoot or High Thrust one worth the extra etc etc.

Thanks FT

I purchased a new boat in 2005 equiped with a Merc 150 Optimax and Merc 9.9 Bigfoot. The boat I like, but I am regretting the decision to go with Mercury. Both motors have given me problems, latest being the 9.9 Big Foot. Just as the warranty expired the impeller expired. It should be noted that I still have a 1976 Johnson 9.9 with many hours of troublefree service on it and I have never once had to replace the impeller. Mercury say to check it every year and replace at least every 3 years. Stay away from Mercury, their newer motors suck! IMHO anyway.

[Fish'n Technish'n]

I'm OK, I ended up finding a long shaft Honda 9.9 for a steal!!
LOVE IT!

FT