kicker for CD-16

[moabarch]

I just bought a 16 Cruiser - not yet picked up (that will be a long drive yet to come).
I read through all the threads I could find regarding a kicker on the 16. It seems that 4's and 6's are the most popular, which makes good sense. I have a brand new 2.5hp Suzuki. Has anyone tried such a small motor on their 16? it would be great to use that if I could get away with it.

also, if I end up buying a new 4 or 6, as is likely, comments on long shaft or short shaft? It likely depends on the mount......this boat has trim tabs, so I might have a problem no matter.....thanks for any and all ideas.

 

[Aurelia]

I would not hesitate to use a 2.5 on a 16 but you do need to consider mounting and it may take a moving bracket to make it work right. I think your short vs. long shaft is the bigger question here and other 16 owners will provide guidance on that.

We use a 3.5hp torqeedo as a kicker on our 19 and it pushes the boat very well.

Greg

 

[thataway]

The 2.5 suzuki is like some other 3 to 3.5 motors, so it should do fine--slow, but dependable. See if you can mount in on the transom first. If not there are several options. If buying new, with a bracket, I would get a long shaft, but if you have a short shaft that will work.

 

[Blueback]

I just bought a 16 Cruiser - not yet picked up (that will be a long drive yet to come).
I read through all the threads I could find regarding a kicker on the 16. It seems that 4's and 6's are the most popular, which makes good sense. I have a brand new 2.5hp Suzuki. Has anyone tried such a small motor on their 16? it would be great to use that if I could get away with it.

also, if I end up buying a new 4 or 6, as is likely, comments on long shaft or short shaft? It likely depends on the mount......this boat has trim tabs, so I might have a problem no matter.....thanks for any and all ideas.

Hi
I own a 16 Angler (Blueback), so I can relate directly to your question. But remember that the Cruiser model is a bit stern heavy with one 40-50 hp 4 stroke alone, without a kicker. So first ask yourself-- why do you need one? Some will say for salmon trolling speed - don't buy into that idea. I have a 50hp Honda and I can troll down to 1.5 MPH OTG, but of course that too slow and I would normally troll between 2-4 mph. The 50-Honda does this with ease. Some will say a kicker makes it quite and peaceful -- my 50-H purrs at trolling speed. Some would say for back-up -- yes a valid thought- put if it was bad fuel the kicker will be in trouble too.
The 16' has a 700lb weight capacity and your burning into to this capacity total with a kicker by 60-- 70 lbs. Just some thoughts from my experience. BTW I have a 6 HP Yamie 2 stroke, short shaft (twin) on Blueback but for the above reasons I will be selling it.
Some will put a Permatrim-- on-- which will help for getting that extra kicker weigh on your stern heavy Cruiser up on plane -- and we all -- or most love the Permatrim. But weight is weight and that why the USCG say max. 700lbs.
Geoff

 

[nordicstallion]

Some say" why do you need one"! I wouldn't drive without a spare tire. When I needed an auxiliary motor, alone, in heavy fog, I would have paid double for another motor!!

 

[thataway]

The 16' has a 700lb weight capacity and your burning into to this capacity total with a kicker by 60-- 70 lbs.

if it was bad fuel the kicker will be in trouble too.

All the more reasons to use a small kicker on a small boat: 2.5 to 3.5 hp weight about 30 lbs. Separate fuel source, and no dependency on the electrical system all should be features of any kicker.

I even took a kicker in my RIB dinghy when in AK and going on long trips from the "mother ship". One day, it paid off. 10 miles is a long way to paddle!

 

[Blueback]

The 16' has a 700lb weight capacity and your burning into to this capacity total with a kicker by 60-- 70 lbs.

if it was bad fuel the kicker will be in trouble too.

All the more reasons to use a small kicker on a small boat: 2.5 to 3.5 hp weight about 30 lbs. Separate fuel source, and no dependency on the electrical system all should be features of any kicker.

Yes I agree in the 30lb selection and the separate fuel system
Geoff

 

[MikeR]

I use a 6 hp short shaft kicker (Suzuki) as an emergency backup to the main, and as a motor for the dinghy when camping out. The 6 hp is light enough to lift on/off the transom while at anchor, but powerful enough to go fast in the inflatable.

The few times I've used it as a kicker, it did not require much throttle (so lower hp is probably fine), and the short shaft was not a problem (the transom is somewhat less than 20" off to the side where you'd mount the kicker, so the cavitation plate is only about 1" above the bottom at that point, which is not a problem at displacement speed in relatively calm water).

With all that said, I'm really looking at getting a Tohatsu 6 hp Sail Pro 20", because it has charging system, a high thrust prop, and would color match with my 50 hp main (most important!). With this, I would likely not use it on the dinghy and just row instead.

Not a fisher, just in the camp of redundant everything on a small, long-distance cruising boat used in the saltwater - 2 engines, 2 VHF, 2 GPS, 2 separate fuel tanks / lines (actually 3 including kicker tank), 2 anchors, maybe I'm OCD.

 

[Blueback]

I use a 6 hp short shaft kicker (Suzuki) as an emergency backup to the main, and as a motor for the dinghy when camping out. The 6 hp is light enough to lift on/off the transom while at anchor, but powerful enough to go fast in the inflatable.

The few times I've used it as a kicker, it did not require much throttle (so lower hp is probably fine), and the short shaft was not a problem (the transom is somewhat less than 20" off to the side where you'd mount the kicker, so the cavitation plate is only about 1" above the bottom at that point, which is not a problem at displacement speed in relatively calm water).



Not a fisher, just in the camp of redundant everything on a small, long-distance cruising boat used in the saltwater - 2 engines, 2 VHF, 2 GPS, 2 separate fuel tanks / lines (actually 3 including kicker tank), 2 anchors, maybe I'm OCD.

I don't think anyone can fully answer the question of necessity for a kicker to get you home in the event of a failure of your main engine. We play the odds with one engine - but mathematical what are they? I am methodical in maintaining my main/only engine and fuel system. But-hey -who's to know what can happen - or put another way - measure the risk factor. But I flew light aircraft with one engine -- so that's something to think about too

 

['o cino]

Re: stern weight. A buddy had a small Arima Sea Ranger, and we used my 8hp Mariner short shaft for the kicker on trips to the 'Nados and Cat. The kicker would stay on the portside, forward. The separate fuel tank could stay as far forward as the gear would allow. No issues with weight (Scuba and Freedive gear) and the sense of reliable back-up made the trips very enjoyable. The 8hp was only because the currents can get strong around the islands and crossing the channel to San Pedro with container ships is a bit hairy at times.

Good luck, and any running kicker with a separate fuel source is a good kicker if you're offshore.