Help with kicker motor

[allskater08]

I have a 18 foot mirrocraft with a 20" transom and im looking to get a kicker motor for it. My question to the readers is, what shaft length should i go with? Should i use a short shaft or a long shaft motor? What is the best way to secure the kicker to the transom? Ive heard of bolting through and using jack plates? From your experience which do you use and why wouldnt you use the other?? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Beave]

Without knowing your specific boat, I'd say go with a 9.9hp 4-stroke kicker. Mount it directly to the transom next to your main outboard. They sell linkage packs at Gander Mountain for around $50 to tie the steering together on two outboards so your kicker is working off the wheel. Some people like getting the electric start and throttle controls, others just walk to the back of the boat to adjust the throttle. I had the latter setup on my 17' Lund and it worked just fine.

[allskater08]

did you use a short or long shaft with that setup?

[Beave]

Long. For the most part you can't go wrong with the long-shaft. If you already have a short shaft it'll work, but if you're looking to buy a motor I'd buy the long shaft.

[TONGA]

I would think anything from a 4.5hp to a 15hp would do you well...As for shaft length? it depends on how you mount it,,if you put her on the transom then a 20"er for sure but if you go with a kick down bracket or a jackplate then either would be fine.
A linkage kit is nice so you can use the wheel to steer but some people like to have a hand an the tiller and some even like foot pedals.same goes for speed control,,youknow,,it's a personal thing.
The Beave has one thing absolutely nailed,,you can't have to much shaft in the water when it comes to a trolling motor....I have never heard anyone say,,, " that long shaft was just to much in that chop"

[ahasiec]

I completely agree with Beave, if you plan on mounting directly on the transom then definately longshaft, if installing a bracket a short shaft would work fine, either way a long shaft would work..I personally had a 9.9 HP Long Shaft, remote Throttle and the EZ Steer system, nice to be able to control the throttle and steering from the helm...everyone has their preference though