How big a kicker needed?
 

Guys,

I’m working downhill on my seafari 25 restoration. I’m trying to get the outboard back together over the next week or 2 depending. It’s a 98 Suzuki dt200.

I’d like to add a kicker as backup with the dt200. How big should it be to get me back in if main goes down? 25-30hp? Typically 4-7’ chop on my (windward) side.

https://www.tide-forecast.com/locati...recasts/latest

Then when I eventually repower, add a single Zuke 4stroke 350.

If I have to, I’ll hang twin 200’s back there. But I’m trying to manage weight the best way possible. Suggestions?

You don't need much horse power, just torque. I have an 8 hp hi thrust Yamaha kicker that works (when it works) much better than a 15 hp 2 stroke I used to have. Performance down wind is roughly the same, maybe slightly better with the Yamaha, but add some chop and wind in your face and the Yamaha is MUCH better. My conditions are not nearly as rough as yours. I'd ask around and find someone else with a hi thrust type engine.

Fair warning. My experience with the Yamaha has been BAD! I bought it new and have had repeated expensive failures. The tilt system is complete crap. Other wise, the motor as been an unreliable system that, by its nature, needs to be super reliable.

Thanks cdavis

If I got yamaha’s I’d probably get twin 200’s. Even their rep steered me away from the 350. But the nearest Yamaha dealer is on the other side of island about 1.5 hours 1 way. That’s a pain.

What length is your shaft and how did you set it up on your seafari 25?


I do have zuke and Evinrude (used to anyway) at a nearby guy.

I have a Garelick kicker mount that I'm going to sell. It's on my 20' MA and I do not need it.
Pics if you want . 125.00 plus shipping

+1 on the torque advice. Also depends on if you really need it to push the boat into decent sized seas, wind and current, or just in benign conditions. I've been aboard a 40' sailboat with a dead auxiliary engine that did remarkably well with a small RIB strapped alongside with just a 4hp outboard - but that was in sheltered water with pretty light breeze. Lotsa 20-30' sailboats use 9.9 hp outboards as their auxiliary motor

Ty guys. It’s pretty rough all the time here. Was out on a 17’ Alii Kai yesterday on 6-8’ seas. Was a rough ride.

I’m interested in the mount. But I hit a major roadblock on my outboard rebuild this week. Suzuki has 2 flywheels same part number same year on 98 dt200. Guess I have the newer rarer one.

I may be forced into repower sooner than I wanted. But I’m still thinking about 1 big motor plus a kicker

There are several members with 23's and Yamaha kickers that fish on the great lakes, big rough water. Bigeasy1, I think. I'd pick his brains on his experience with kickers.

I set my kicker on a block welded to the platform, a less than optimal arrangement. If I had to do it again, I'd modify the platform and use a Garelick type mount on the transom. Shaft length, I'm not sure. Its long and is whatever is the standard length.

Keeping the stern as light as possible is highly recommended for this hull. It really doesn't like weight aft, bow heavy works much better. I vote for one motor, mounted on the transom or very close to it, plus a kicker.

Sent a pm.

My thoughts and research exactly. Btw thanks for pics. Hope to get the deck glassed back in and ready to paint this week. Motor has put a major wrench in the works.

I also run a T8 Yamaha high thrust four stroke on my Tsunami. it will troll al day without missing a beat. Performs great when seas are less than three ft. Wide open throttle is a whopping 7mph. When seas are 3' or more I use the outdrive with trolling bags to slow me down to Salmon speed about 2.5 to 3mph.
I've had good luck with the little yammie it's 9 years old and no problems it runs like a watch.I'm knocking on wood now.