High Thrust Kicker

416rigby · Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 8:03 pm Post subject: High Thrust Kicker

Anyone using one of the high thrust kickers? If so, any comments vs a standard kicker of the same power. Also, shaft length....... are you running 20 or 25 inch? Imput would be good as we are ready to buy one.
We will be getting a Yami.
Rick

sailor-d · Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 8:31 pm Post subject: Kicker

I run an high thrust '04, 9.9 Yamaha kicker (T9.9ELRC), electric start, no tiller, coupled when required by a tie bar to my main. It seemed logical to go high thrust, to me anyway - I had a high thrust on a sailboat at one time. Mine is a 20" shaft. I don't fish/troll, it is primarily my backup motor and, it also a good way just to puddle along enjoying scenery while conserving fuel.

Cheers - Dave

alg · Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 10:18 pm Post subject:

We have a 9.9 Honda power thrust kicker on the Shalje. Power start and tilt with steering tied to the main make it a handy package. Controls are attached to starboard side of main controls. Great for economical , quiet cruising and trolling. Also peace of mind in the event of a breakdown of the main engine.
No problem with handling in normal boating seas. In heavy winds it is hard to control tracking at trolling speeds.

drjohn71a · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 10:43 am Post subject:

Rick,

There is an excellent article comparing kicker types and hp and props in a recent magazine. I think it was in Trailer boats, maybe Sports Fishing.

Anyway, there are specific circumstances in which the various combinations work well. IN particular note was that the Solas high thrust prop was heads above most others due in part to the large hub opening which stopped cavitation and allowed exhaust to pass thru in reverse.

John

Byrdman · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 11:00 am Post subject:

Hey Brother Rick... Looking forward to getting together with yall again soon at the Cumberland River Gathering in late Apr07.

I think other than just trolling, the two of you like getting out into the blue waters.... and kinda sorta want a back up for the main motor. I think I would go with the longes shaft as to keep in under water when/if you start to head back with the kicker...being the main...and the boat flopping about a bit, stern high particuarly in the confused waters coming thru the passes and ruff bay waters.

As mentioned above, I too have seen real nice stuff about the Solas 4 blade props...worth looking into for sure. Who ya gonna buy the motor from?

416rigby · Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 12:00 am Post subject:

Thanks for the input, folks. I'm still not positive which way we're going to go...regular or high thrust. Heck, after phoning 15 Yami dealers in 3 states and coming up empty handed, I may just go with an 8hp and be done with it. Seems the small motors are not stocked much down here. We did find a smokin' good price on an 8, so maybe we'll just do that.

C-WEED · Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 8:14 pm Post subject:

Hi Rick.

I got a good deal on a left over 15H.P. is why I went with the 15. My cousin did all the leg work and found it down in Palm Beach, Florida. The shipping was less than the out of state tax I didn't have to pay. Back in 2003 it was the same engine as the 9.9 high thrust and CHEAPER. Just tuned and tweeked a bit different. I put a 7x10x4 Solas on it and it pushes the boat with authority. When we get around to longer cruises I planned to put-put some distance with it. I added the charging rectifier for $30. Just plug and play.

I just noticed the high thrust engines come with a 14 inch prop! They must push like a tug boat... I also noticed the 9.9 standard engine is 126cc's bigger than the 8 h.p. standard. If you could get a good deal on a 9.9??? If not and trolling is your main use and it is a smokin deal I wouldn't be afraid to try the 8 with a power prop. The extra power would be nice though when wind, currents and tides kick up. Mine is a 20 inch shaft mounted on the mini-jacker and basically even with my mains prop in the water. If your main prop doesn't lift out of the water then the kicker shouldn't either. On the classic hull the kicker gets mounted more on the corner of the boat and a quartering wave from astern has a better chance of raising the prop out of the water.

Side Note: I had mine freighted up from South Florida. Freight truck has to drop to a loading dock. So, I have it shipped to local lawn mower shop. When the owner sees a Yamaha outboard in the crate he tells me there is a Yamaha outboard distributor in Panama City, Florida. If I recall, he said you can by direct and pick-up but no shipping to the average Joe. I would ask the guy more but the family no longer runs the business. It might be worth running down early on a Saturday and see if you can find it. Or call some of the local boat guys down there and see if anyone knows of it. Worth a shot. With the new models out I would think some body has some leftovers... Most dealers just don't stock them like they used to.

Good luck in the search.

Adeline · Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 9:23 pm Post subject:

Here are a couple of threads discussing this subject. They seem to like the Yamaha T8, whatever that is. http://www.ifish.net/board/showthread.php?p=1459405#post1459405 http://www.gamefishin.com/gfboard/forum_posts.asp?TID=24775

thataway · Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2007 12:35 am Post subject:

SIM in Seattle has the T8 Yahama on "sale" currently--so I assume that they are in stock.

(on the other hand I have a new 15 hp Honda Electric Start available looking for a new home).

SIM · Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2007 2:00 pm Post subject:

thataway · Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2007 5:57 pm Post subject:

My appologies Andy--I kept seeing that "Washington Island"---thanks for being there!