I have a 15' Bayliner and I am currently in the market for a kicker. I just want a motor that pushes the boat fast enough to troll in the sound. What is the smallest size motor you think I could buy to accomplish this? Thanks in advance for your help. Lofty

I too am thinking of a kicker for a 19' Bayliner. My thoughts are of something small enough to troll, but large enough to move the boat if the main motor goes down. It would suck to be out in some fairly rough water and not have a kicker big enough to get home with. I am thinking of a 10 horse 4 stroke. On a 15', I have seen guys using 4 and 5 hp motors for kickers.

I think a 10 HP should do it for ya. Definately make it a four stroke.

I have a 20 footer with an 8hp yamaha 4 stoke and it pushes my boat around great I wouldnt go any bigger than that.

Yahmmy 8hp 4-stroke high out put.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

8 hp. in 2 stroke or 4 stroke will be perfect.
If ya plan on using it on a car-topper as well, be sure and check the weight difference, two strokes are plenty heavey to carry around.

Cigar

I've got a 21' Bayliner with a 9.9 2 stroke and it's more than enough to push my boat. I personally like the 2 stroke since it weighs about 45lbs less than the 4 stroke. That's just my opinion though. Make sure you get a different prop than the stock one though. Go to any dealer and they will set you up with the correct pitch for the size boat you are trolling.

If the kicker is going to be used exclusively for trolling then go with a "high thrust" design. It won't push a little boat fast but it will push most any fishing boat slow. If you get an 8hp or 9.9hp 4 stroke then you can use it if you upgrade your boat.

If either of you boy's are interested, i have a 2001 mercury 9.9 four stroke with just 16 hrs on it went through its breakin and changed the oil and used it about 4 times, sold the boat buyer had his own kicker, the motor is basiaclly brand new,have recipt 1807.53, out of work willing to deal, thanks if interested give me a shout, Doug

Lofty25,

I have a 15' Arima with a 6hp kicker. No problem pushing the boat. I can actually get about 8mph out of it. My next kicker will be either the 6 or 8hp four stroke Yamaha. Those motors only weigh 83lbs.

Used to have a 7.5hp kicker on my old 16ft fiberform trihull and it did just great pushing that boat around at trolling speeds. One day while fishing the outer bar at possesion my main motor would'nt start so I had to come back in on my kicker. 15 miles against the tide! 4 hrs later I was back in everett - lots of cavitation at WOT with that short shaft. My next kicker was a fourstroke 15hp longshaft. Much better at putting that boat up on a plane when you have to and still being able to troll waaay down.

Doug, you still trying to sell that motor???

Wish I could afford it, but if I could I'd already have one. Someone will want it!