Kicker Experience

[shellndanm]

I purchased a mercury 4hp four stroke kicker for my boat. I was thinking it would be a good idea to have it in the event I broke down in a remote spot such as the dismal swamp.

I found that it was not enough power to move the boat well against any degree of current or wind. It felt like a had a weed whacker mounted on the boat.

I noticed the boat listed slightly on the side it was mounted. I realize that I will need a 2 cylinder motor for the type of back up power I have in mind(move me along in rough conditions). I was wondering if anyone out there has had trouble with either too much listing from a heavier motor or unsatisfactory handling as a result of the extra weight.

I'm trying to decide if I should give up on the kicker idea altogether

 

[Sunbeam]

My 22 came to me with a Honda 8D kicker, which is a "luxurious," 2-cylinder, electric start engine. A really nice engine. That said, it weighs about 110# dry - fairly heavy.

On my boat is was mounted to starboard, and I also have my batteries to starboard. I ended up with a starboard list (even with careful loading of other gear). I imagine if it were mounted to port the problem would not be as likely, since you always have the helmsperson to starboard. Or if you always run with people on the port side (my boat listed with just me in it, or with no-one aboard, or with a heavier person than me to starboard and me to port).

I like having the kicker to starboard though because I use the swim platform a lot. I also felt I didn't use the kicker enough to justify such a "deluxe" engine. So I traded it to another C-Brat for a Mercury 5hp 2-stroke. I haven't used that yet, but I did "lose" around 70# from the starboard transom - that's going to have a good effect, I hope.

Surely the Honda would have been brawnier, but my expectation of a kicker is that it just "get me out of the road" so I can anchor or etc. -- not that it carry me miles through adverse currents or wind. If the latter were what I wanted (sounds like you do) I would likely have kept the Honda (or similar).

 

[MikeR]

If you're running the stock prop on your 4 hp, you probably aren't getting full power out of it. You reach full HP rating at the upper RPM range, and these motors usually come propped for running on small dinghies. As a first step you might try a "high thrust" prop (lower pitch and larger diameter)...your Mercury is actually made by Tohatsu, and they make a high thrust prop for their "Sail Pro" version of your kicker, which even though is rated at 6 hp might still do better than the prop you have. If that doesn't work, you might also consider getting the Sail Pro itself, which wouldn't be too much heavier than your 4hp (heavier only due to the alternator which is a nice feature to have).

I had a Yamaha T8, which is a high thrust 2-cylinder 4stroke, and it pushed the boat (a 21' Trophy) with ease at relatively low RPM, so I would think a high thrust 6 hp might be OK on a 22, afterall it's designed to push sailboats that size and larger.

On another former boat I once traded my 2 cylinder 8 hp Honda classic for a single cylinder 6 hp Suzuki, saving myself 30 lbs and making a huge difference in hole shot and low speed planing performance; like you I mainly have a kicker as an emergency get home motor...I won't go out on the water without one!

 

[Pandy Girl]

I have a 5 HP Honda 4 Stroke, mounted on the Port Side, I use it a lot for trolling, I set it about 1/2 throuldle, at about 3 miles P.h.. I have not noticed that wind on fresh water lakes make much difference. I have used in the Gulf of Fl. Coast & have not seen any problems, but I have not been in 3 to 4 ft. Seas. In fairly smooth Seas, it will push our 22 about 5 MPH (Mike you are correct on the Prop size, they may only getting about 2 HP out of their engine) Jim