See full version: What size kicker motor for 21 foot boat
Dittos on 8-10 horse, bigger motors just add weight on the transom and don't make you go any faster. I'm running an old 8 horse e-rude and it pushes my 23' tolman 5mph. I wanted a kicker that was light enough to move onto an inflatable w/o too much strain. I wouln't go any smaller than 8 horse, in a headwind I barely make any progress. more
A Yamaha T-8 would work great-I use one on a 20 ft. Wooldridge Alaskan and does a great job, easily achieves hull speed and is quiet.
The tohatsu 9.8 is the lightest 4 stroke
Those that are successful in Alaska are those who are flexible, and allow the reality of life in Alaska to shape their dreams, vs. trying to force their dreams on the reality of Alaska. here
When using a kicker motor, there are a few different steering options. A lot of kicker motors will come with a tiller handle; a tiller handle is an easy way to steer especially when it comes with the motor. However, there are a few other options that allow you to move further away from your motor while on the go. The cheapest and simplest way would be using a tie bar to connect your kicker to your main outboard. Although it can be the cheapest option, it can make outboard maintenance a little more complicated. Auto-pilot is a pricier way to steer your kicker, however it offers a lot of advantages. Auto-pilots are great at keeping you on course and adjusting to different conditions. With a little wind, the auto-pilot will correct itself to keep you on track without having to fight against it yourself. Hydraulic is the fourth steering option. Hydraulic is a much easier and effective way to connect your two motors with more options. [links]
Most outboard brands offer smaller horsepower motors that can be used as kicker motors. Mercury has a ProKicker FourStroke series that is light weight, fuel efficient, and offers great portability. The Yamaha T9.9 also gets great reviews when being used as a kicker motor. The T9.9 offers longer tiller handles for easier steering. It's a great motor for trolling with slightly bigger boats. Suzuki has a DF9.9 motor that is great as a kicker, comes with a power till and EFI (Electronic Fuel Injection).
Kickers and trolling motors may seem to be one in the same because of their very similar purpose. However, there are big differences that set them apart. There are advantages to a trolling motor; they run on battery and can provide pull from the front (with a bow motor) which can provide better control. However, that doesn't mean it is always your best option. There are advantages that come with a kicker outboard that may just give trolling motors a run for their money. A kicker outboard is not only great for trolling, but it also provides a great backup for when your main outboard is failing. If you try to use a trolling motor as a secure backup, it would require having spare batteries. Batteries put heavy weight on a boat and take up space; with a kicker motor you don't have to worry about those--you get the accountability of a back-up outboard without needing a backup battery for the backup . Kicker motors provide a way to troll, while also providing a better sense of security. more
Kicker motors, also known as spare outboards, are motors that sit next to a bigger, main outboard and can serve a couple of different purposes. They typically are seen in the 10hp or less range. The simplest use for a kicker is as back up. In events where your main outboard fails, and you don't have The Hulk to paddle you ashore, a kicker is a great thing to have. For more recreational needs, it can be used to steer sailboats. This is more often seen in southern areas, such as Florida. In northern areas, such as Michigan, Kickers are more commonly used for trolling. When you're trying to catch those salmon and trout in Lake Michigan, a kicker will come in handy. They allow you to slow down to a trolling speed.
Initially, the kicker can be a little bit pricier than alternative trolling options. But after that sometimes-painful purchase, they have qualities that make them cost effective. First and foremost, using a kicker motor helps you save on gas. Trolling with a kicker offers great gas to time ratio, which helps save on the gas you would have been using with your main outboard. Along with gas, they help prevent putting unwanted hours on your main outboard. By preventing wear and tear on your main outboard, you maintain the longevity of your main outboard. In addition, a little extra bonus: if both your main and kicker outboard are compatible, you can link up gas tanks so you don't have to fill separately. more
23 Gulfstream 25hp kicker 4 stroke yammi here
I see too many boats with useless kickers. I use mine to troll, I can adjust from 1 knot to 0.8 knots with easy great for fluking.
It also got me home from 33 miles out once. more
Katrina ate my kicker becasue I stored it in my camp. The camp did not survive but the boat did. I replaced it with a 9.9 4-stroke Suziki electric start, power tilt. Best thing I ever did. The dealer plugged the fuel line directly into the main fuel tank with a "Y" and all I have to do to use it is press a button to lower it into the water and press a button to start it. WOT speed is still around 4.9 to 5.5 kts.
I think its enough to keep you off the rocks and/or keep your bow into the sea. and even make decent headway in moderate to light weather, but as a true backup in bad weather, I think you're going to need something way bigger and heavier. might as well get twins then.
I've got a suzuki 9.9 High Thrust on my 248 voyager and it pushes it at 3 kts at half throttle easily (little wind, no current). Full throttle may get me up to 5 kts.
If you have a bow trolling motor, you need to measure the length between your boat’s gunnel and the waterline then add an extra 20 inches.
So you want to buy a trolling motor? That’s great.
But how do you know what trolling motor is suitable for your boat?
Trolling motors are available in three different voltages: 12v, 24, and 36v. When a battery has a high voltage it means it has high power output. So a 36v trolling system produces more power than a 12v system but its also bigger in size. here
There are several factors that can help you determine just what size of trolling motor to buy for your boat. And they are as follows:
But first, you need to figure out what type of trolling motor is suitable for your boat before you get to the size.