Choosing the right kicker

[Rain]

Considering Suzuki's only, and assuming for the sake of argument that price is not a factor, which would be a better kicker for a 22':

A 9.9 HP - DF9.9B EFI
A 15 HP - DF15A EFI
A 20 HP - DF20A EFI

They each weigh in at 108 lbs.

[Sunbeam]

Normally I would ask more about how you expect to use it and what your priorities are. But given that list I'd say the 9.9 almost no matter what you said. I don't see that the additional horsepower of the other two can do anything more for you on the 22 hull.

[Spike]

You really dont need any more than the 9.9. It will do what you need of it either as a trolling motor or a get home motor. And it is the lightest of the 3 choices

[ghone]

What is at least as important as size is how do you want to use it? For redundancy the installation should be different than for fishing, ie fuel delivery and electrics ( keep 'em seperate from the main) but likely for either 9.9 is lots
George

[journey on]

OK, the 9.9 is the only choice for a kicker. But do you want the EFI, A, AE or TH?

I assume the EFI and AE are out because of their complexity, but now you have a choice between the A and TH. So it all comes down to how you're going to use the motor. The a is a standard 9.9 which is good for all around use, whilst the TH is more of a high torque model which is nice for trolling.

Boris

[Rain]

Mostly as a "get back", which is why I thought maybe "bigger is better", but possibly some trolling. I have never gotten into fishing, but I do live on an island, so I should give it another shot.

Would the answer be the same for a 23' Venture? I am considering both the 22' and 23', and expect to make a decision by the middle of next week.

Chuck, they each weigh 108 lbs.

[Sunbeam]

I can think of lots of different kicker options that would be "best" for various scenarios and use cases. Since you listed 9.9, 15, or 20 as the choices - I chose 9.9, as I can't really see any benefit to the larger two. I think I'd say the same for the 23 as well.

(For example, my 22 came with an 8 hp 4-stroke, electric start. Great engine in new condition. But I changed to a 5hp 2-stroke. The latter fits my particular use case scenario much better than the 8 did. OTOH, the C-Brat who has my former 8hp now (on his 22), finds it well suited for his use - lots of time spent fishing under kicker power.)

[Rain]

I thought about the 6HP, but it is a single and probably wouldn't be as smooth. What others came to mind? I just want to make the right choice. The only reason I wanted to stick with Suzuki is because of my anal retentiveness. 20+ years in aerospace quality tends to do that! Both the 22 and 23 I am considering have Suzuki mains. Well, that, and the local mechanic touts them highly. I'm sure that could be another whole discussion!

[Sunbeam]

I'd agree - I've never run a single that was as smooth as a twin. I miss the small hp twins of my youth.

I think a lot depends on your personal factors. Such as....

1) Do you expect it to "get you home in a hurry"? Or do you want it so you can "get to the side of the road" and wait for better conditions, make a repair, or putt on home later?

2) Do you want to be able to control it from a tiller in the cockpit? Install a second helm in the cockpit? Control it from the main helm?

3) Will you be fishing a lot with it? How "fine grained" do you want the control to be from the helm? (Just steerage, or speed and shifting too.)

4) Do you want to be able to easily lift it on and off the transom at times? How much weight can you easily lift? How high a priority is light weight vs. heavy weight? Related to this possibly is what side of the transom do you plan to mount it on (considerations of balance, swim platform use, tiller clearance, etc.)

5) Do you want it to have an optional separate fuel source (in case of contaminated fuel?

6) Will you also be using it on a dinghy or is it purely for the transom of the big boat?

7) Can you tilt a large/heavy motor safely while leaning over the transom? If not, you may want to consider a "lever arm" or power tilt/trim.

I'm sure I could think of more questions, but that gives you the idea.

For me the answers were as follows:

1) Get me to "the side of the road" where I can do what I need to do. No need to "get home in a hurry."

2) I wanted to be able to control from tiller in the cockpit for sure. Other means optional.

3) Not fishing much. No need for super fine grained control, as I'd be using the main most/all of the time.

4) I did want to be able to lift it on and off the transom easily by myself. For me this meant around 50# or less. Mine is mounted on the starboard side (swim platform is to port, which I use a lot, and which I like on that side as no cables/hoses/etc. there). My boat tended to be starboard-heavy with the larger motor, so fixing that was a goal (lighter motor did that).

5) I wanted a separate fuel source, but also didn't want to always have to have a separate tank. So the motor I got has an integral tank, plus the ability to be hooked up to an external tank (have it then set up to run off main tank/filter).

6) Purely for transom of "big" boat.

7) Leaning over the transom to tilt/lower larger motor was an issue. I could have used some sort of lever (they make them) to assist; however with the lighter engine it's not a problem.

I don't know if any of that helps, but maybe it might.

Sunbeam

[Salmon Fisher]

Good discussion.
If $ is not a problem, get the Yamaha 8 or 9.9 hp high thrust prop kicker. It is the best and most quiet motor out there with the most push for your $$. I know it will clash with the Suzuki, but it is, hands down, the best one out there.

I had one on a 17 Arima that was an '84 model when I owned the boat from 2005-2009 and it had thousands of hours from the 1st owner and my use trolling for salmon. Look around and see what most fishing boats on the west coast have and most are Yamis.

Heck, might as well trade in the Suzuki main and get Yamis to match up !

Seriously, Yamis have most service dealers from here, up to BC and SE Alaska.

Good luck!

[Rain]

Thanks for all the thought provocation! THAT should keep me up tonight!

[Jazzmanic]

I've been drooling over the high thrust, power tilt, electric start, EFI Suzuki 9.9. Sorry Patrick, Suzuki rules!!

[johnf]

Hi Rain...we have a Venture 23 with a 150 Honda and a 15 Honda...when using the kicker at max vs mid rpm it doesn't change the speed much.

Would guess that the 9.9 would work as a get home....if I were fighting wind or tide I'm glad to have the 15 instead.

John

[Rain]

Why should I be concerned about the "complexity" of the EFI?

[thataway]

You are going to see very little difference between the 9.9 TH and 15. The high thrust, with a slightly bigger prop, and lower pitch, may do better.

If you were powering a 12 foot aluminum skiff, then the 15 would be a better motor.