TOPIC:

Ive been wanting to get a kicker motor for my boat. I have a 18.5' alumacraft with a 150hp. What would be the most suitable size motor for it? I imaging a 9.9 would be fine, but if i can save a few bucks by going a little smaller, id like to. Thanks guys.

An 8hp is cheaper and is the same as a 9.9 hp usually, sometimes a 15. Different carburetors make the difference in the engines and how much fuel is used. Hondacat explained the lower h.p. versions will have more torque. I have an 8 horse on my Searunner and it pushes it near 6mph wide open and the boat loaded with people, gas, and gear.

Thanks Don.

thats not as easy a decision as one might think there are a Bunch of things to consider

there are a ton of advantages to having a kicker if done properly. chosen mounted and rigged

its more about what you want to do with a kicker than the size of it

if its just for occasional slow trolling or emergencies a 2.3 seems to be the most popular
if it for Semi permanent mounting on the transom trolling and keeping your electrical Supply up and healthy a 8 with power thrust will do a great job
if its some thing you will want to use a auto pilot on and you have a boat with either hard top of only available space to mount the kickers is too near the corner of the boat a 15 hp or larger is a better choice

availability is also a consideration

honda 9.9s we just bought the last 2 available in the Chicago ware house the 8s are sold out and the 2019s are on the way

( is what I was told yesterday) Honda std. alternator on all e start kickers is 12.5 amps and none of this used by motor to keep it running

inport terrifs coming on all non USA made motors this includes about al 4 stroke l kickers even the Evinrude and Mercury (there are made by tohatsu and branded Evinrude / Mercury)

kickers greatly reduce the cost of our passion on a smaller aluminum boat as little as 1 gallon of gas for 10 hours of trolling and keeping the hours off of the expensive main motor that even with the most modern motors will burn 10 times this much fuel not to mention the wear and tear on the big motor

Thanks for the info Frank.