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

W

Wood Zeppelin

New member
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!
 
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
 
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.
 
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.
 
I'm still using the '88 6hp. Evenrude that came on my boat. :smile

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