Need for kicker?

[El and Bill]

Agree with Susan and Harry -
Simple law of physics -- if it can, sooner or later, it will. Why chance it? For us, not an issue. If you don't have two main engines on the transom, at least have a kicker hooked up and ready to go. The time will come when you 'thank your lucky stars' or better said, 'prudence pays off.'

[thataway]

First I wonder why some people experience multiple engine failures? It is either a lack of maintenance, or an engine which is past its useful life span.

I prefer a SS prop--more effeciient. Also if you do happen to have to go thru sand--as I occasinally do at slow speed, no damage to the prop. My spare is aluminum. If you are going to hit a rock--there is also a good chance of lower unit damage to the gear case etc.

Commercial vessels tend to use slower high torque as Richard (Blue Moon) notes. A few use Cummins--I don't see as many of the Yanmar. Those may be more in the sport fishers etc. The slow turning Cats, Lugger, Gardner, Atlas, GM (6-71 on up), One of our local twin screw tug skippers was really upset: one of his Cats failed at 36,000 hours--he usually rebuilds at 50,000! (It was a manufacturing defect).

I/O--not any more reliable than an outboard--maybe less so. We ran about 8 hours to pick up a 26 foot I/O in distress off the outside of one of the Islands in BC. His steering had failed--and he had not taken his kicker (Left it in the "camp" that day!). We got them to an Native Village by about 10 PM so they were warm and had food for the night. I probably would have rigged something to steer that boat with if it had been mine. I have seen broken lower units, broken shifters, water pumps, the same fuel problems the Outboards have etc...

Also a kicker which is not run on a regular basis--may be worse than none at all! I see boats with Kickers "less than 5 hours"--that is a warning sign. That is one of the reasons I use the dinghy motor--It gets run regularly--the dinghy does not plane (OK one person, semi plane at WOT), but many of the lower HP engines are fairly high thrust...Separate fuel source, and can be hand started!

[Jazzmanic]

[colbysmith]

Ok ok, I'm convinced that I should be looking at a kicker. (But I'm still pretty comfortable in the waters I'm in without one...) That being the case, from both what I'm reading on the forums and in private, I'm thinking 5-6 hp is all I need. Any comments on that size with the CD-22? Colby

[potter water]

That HP range should get you home if you have some time. I think one of the most under-considered values of the kicker is to at least get you steerage speed to allow you point in a useful direction to prevent broaching in waves and wind or at the very least to allow you the option of where on a lee shore you go to ground. In the twin engine flying days of long ago, I was taught that the "other engine" was to extend your emergency landing options. Most recreational twin aircraft, on a single running engine were going to go down at full load and under most altitude density numbers. So it may be with a kicker of almost any horsepower, easing into a more desirable "emergency destination."

[rogerbum]

[colbysmith]

Had to pick up some fuel filters, and while at the boat dealer, spoke to the owner and looked at some of the kickers he had there. The idea of setting up something with remote throttle died quickly when he said I'd be looking at $750 or more just in parts for the wiring, cabling and all. Getting back to how I would use it; very little salmon trolling and mostly for emergency, guess I don't really need that stuff. If any of you have photos of how you set up your steering linkage though, I'd appreciate some links in the right direction. Or how you have your kickers mounted. I have a PM from one of our fellow C-brats that a 15" shaft is all that is needed, I just have to set the motor down or back a bit. I don't see a dinghy in the future now, but who knows...and the 15" shaft is all I would need in that case. Looks like a new 5 hp 4-stroke is going to run at least $1500. Any recommendations on used or 2 stroke vs. 4 stroke? My main is a Merc 115 HP EFI 4-stroke. At 5 hp, I don't need to plumb into my main fuel tanks, but suppose I could... what are others doing with the smaller kickers?

[texasair]

Here is the steering linkage:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Boating/Boating-Outboards-Accessories/Boat-Steering%7C/pc/104794380/c/104752980/sc/104602680/Auxiliary-Motor-Connector-Rods/700014.uts

[Bill K]

Here is a link to EZ-steer, this is on my boat but since I bought the boat this winter have not had a chance to use it yet.

The video's look good.

My kicker has a small portable tank between my main tanks.

http://www.marinetechproducts.com/pages/EZSteerHome/

[potter water]

Take a hard look at the Tohatsu 5 and 6 hp. Not a lot of money and are the same as Nissan and Merc...just re-labeled. Super reliable and quiet 4 strokes.

[colbysmith]

Thanks.

[kennharriet]

I'll second that. Very happy with the Tahatsu 6 hp. I have ours set up with an independent 6 gal. fuel supply and the connecting rod to the main. If the main were to fail in a high risk situation, the kicker can be running in a matter of seconds. It will push our 22 at 5-6 mph at 3/4 throttle. Nothing is gained at full throttle except more fuel consumption. Ours was purchased at onlineoutboards. No tax, free shipping.

[colbysmith]

Ken, I pm'd you some questions about your Tohatsu, but does anyone else have experience with this engine? (I learned that Tohatsu does also build the smaller outboards for Nissan and Merc.) What about the integral fuel tank? Looks like it only holds 1/3 gal, so not much. What size integral tanks to most the other small kickers have? I know the Tohatsu 6 comes with either the integral tank, or an external 3 gal tank; and that the one with the integral tank also has an aux fuel hook up. So far, I'm thinking this motor is the way I will go. With a 15" shaft... Any other thoughts/suggestions about shaft length? What about new vs. used. The 2013 Tohatsu 6 can be purchased online for about $1300. Can add an altenator kit to it for another $400, which seems like a good idea just as a backup for charging a battery. Colby

[Tortuga]

I also have the Tohatsu 6 hp long shaft. It's a great little engine that will take a lot of abuse -- I use it on the dinghy when at Catalina -- and hang it off the transom of the 22 for use as a kicker (though I've never had to use it in an emergency). It starts easily, though may need to be primed if not used for a couple of days (just squeezing the priming bulb a few times). I'd buy another one today if this one were damaged or stolen.

[thataway]

If using the kicker on a dinghy there are many good reasons to stick with a 15" shaft. If only for a kicker--then a 20" shaft. The 15" shaft does not get the kicker below the hull--it will work to push the boat forward, but does not work well in reverse, because the prop wash pushes against the hull. You want to keep the power head out of the water/waves as much as possible, and the 20" shaft helps with that in heavier seas.

The Tohastu is an excellent choice. My Merc- (actually a Tohastu) has only the small tank--it will run a long time at medium throttle.) Having an alternate fuel tank will make it much easier than pouring fuel into the integral tank! (as the 4 HP on up can have).

As for steering I use either one of the clamp on articuilated tiller extenders, or just slip a piece of PvC pipe (which you can modify to get around any obstructions easily) over the tiller. If you want one 4 feet long--no problem!

The battery charging might be handy, but it is only 5 amps!-- I prefer a Honda 1000, with a good charger (like the West Marine portable 30 amp, which has multiple settings, and compensations, plus a trickle charge and engine start boost function. However, this combo is going to cost around $1000 vs the $400 for the add on alternator..But it is far more versitile, including running a 5000 BTU air conditioner. (so much for minimalist)