Best Trolling motor / Kicker for a 16" cruiser !?

[Wood Zeppelin]

I have a 16' Cruiser with a 4hp Suzuki 1-cyclinder. I don't like the vibration of a 1-cyclinder nor do I like the internal fuel tank. Can anyone recommend a better option?

The main motor is a Honda 40hp, and I'd like the kicker to be compatible with fuel line hookup if possible (or it could have it's own tank and fuel line)..

thanks!

[journey on]

Well, that's interesting. To get a 2 cylinder motor one has to go to a 8 HP, which seems like a lot for a 16' boat. That's because all small engines (<6 HP,) seem to be from the same source, with different labels on them. All singles.

So, I'd check out Honda 5 HP singles. Honda builds over-engineered motors and their 5 may be smoother than others. Or Yamahas. Both are pricey.

Otherwise, Tohatsu makes the lightest 8HP. Same block as the 9.9 HP. Weight: 82 lbs. I have the 9.8 which has been a good motor.

I also have a 6 HP Johnson 6 HP twin, but they don't make that anymore. It's a 2 stroke and one of the best motors I've had.

Defender is a good place to compare motors.

Boris

[DayBreak]

I have a new Tohatsu 6hp that I use on my old 14ft. Valco. When I bought the Tohatsu, (only 55lbs.) I was pleasantly suprised at how smooth the engine ran at all speeds. It has an internal tank but if you switch a lever you can also run a separate reserve tank with a primer bulb. Like Boris said, a twin will be noticeably heavier than a one lunger. The 6hp Tohatsu has quite a bit of punch and it actually puts the Valco on plane with just me onboard and light gear.

[PaulNBriannaLynn]

All singles are going to vibrate more. We run a 5 hp Honda as a kicker now, and it's very reliable and relatively quiet, but vibrates a lot.

I think you may have to move up in size to get a twin cylinder like a Honda 9.9, which will be obviously heavier

I have a 1984 Evinrude 9.9 which is a twin and its smoother. Its quite a bit louder though. Id have to run a separate tank for mixed fuel, and I'm getting too old to pull start the temperamental thing when its cold.

[Capn Jack]

I'm still using the '88 6hp. Evenrude that came on my boat.

Two cycles run forever and they're lighter than most four cycles
of equal hp.