Kicker Motor Question

[NATTY BUMPO]

Hey Guys,

I need to add a kicker motor to my rig and I want to consult the OB gurus here before getting my wallet out. I am running a Lund 1660 with a Merc 50 hp 2 stroke. This setup has been great on any sized inland lake up here. I want to add a Merc kicker motor to use on the Lund as well as a 17' square stern canoe whiich we also have. The transom height is 20" on the Lund. Questions:

1. Is a 5 hp the right size as a kicker on the Lund?
(the canoe is rated up to a 6 hp motor)

2. Do I need a 20" shaft on the kicker?
Thanks,
Natty B.

[jpollman]

Natty B.,

If the canoe is rated for up to six I'd go with the six. I've got a 16' aluminum boat that I use my 6 hp Evinrude on as a kicker. It works wery well. I think a 5 might be a little under powered for the Lund. And yes, you will need a 20" shaft (commonly called a "long shaft").

Happy boating !

John

[kroppe]

I have a 9.9hp kicker on a 17' Lund, moves along at about 6mph max. Depends on what you need the kicker to do, but I would go with an 8hp or 9.9hp for the larger of your two boats.

[NATTY BUMPO]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I should have added that the Lund is a 1660 Pro-V (tiller ).Weight is ~ 880# bare.16 1/2 ' deep-V hull. I'm mainly interested in sloooow trolling for walleye and with an occasional use of the kicker on the square stern canoe. I'm hoping a 5-6 HP motor will be able to turn "double duty" for me.

Any other experiences on a boat this size and weight?? Thanks.

[Take Five]

I use a 6hp evinrude on my 16ft seanymph with high sided canvas all around that really catches wind. It is a perfect kicker for my boat. Max speed is 6 mph but most important is that I can pull harnesses with a minimum of weight. I use it more than my elctric as I feel I really have control with it. By the way, it is a short shaft that I get by with an adjustable height mount on the back of my boat. This would work perfect for a square stern also.

Wayne

[coverdog]

Measure from the top of the transom to the bottom of the hull in the location you plan on mounting it. Chances are you may be able to use a short shaft, but it will depend on the sharpness of the V on the bottom (deadrise) and how far off center you are mounting it and how the transom is cut out.

[wildcoy73]

by an adjustable kicker motor mount this will allow you to raise the motor when not in use and lower it when needed. this way you can get by with a short shaft motor that will work great on the canoe. i would spend the extra money myself and by a 4stroke to go on it. but that is just me and i like to travel when i am fishing and if you have looked at new motor you'll notice they have a star system on them this is for california at the present time. every lake has a star system and if your stars don't match or exceed that for the lake you will not be permitted on it. i know texas is soon to follow this.