how much kicker is needed

Ken Kurek · #1 01-21-2003, 03:00 PM

I have a 25 seafari cuddy with a 330 hp I/O. I would like to use the boat offshore and was concearned about the fact of only having 1 engine. I would like to know how much of a kicker i will need to put on the back to keep the boat on course if my primary quits. This concearns me as I know how nasty it can get rather quickly offshore. My primary concearn is safety not a good little motor for trolling. Any Ideas are greatly appreciated.

FELLOW-SHIP · #2 01-21-2003, 05:46 PM

HA KEN
EVERY TIME I THREATEN TO KICK HER SHE THREATENS ME WITH A DIVORCE.
WELL WHAT I REALLY MEAN WAS MY KICKER IS SEA TOW $95. A YEAR AND I DON’T HAVE TO THINK OF A PLACE TO STORE IT, OR HANG IT ON MY TRANSOM NOR PAY $1500 OR SO FOR ONE. I ALWAYS HAVE THOUGHT KICKER’S LOOK UGLY ON THE BACK OF BOATS ANYWAY. IF I WAS GOING TO GET ONE THOUGH I WOULD THINK A 15 HP ON THE 23 FOOTER WOULD BE JUST ABOUT RIGHT. MAKE SURE THE SHAFT IS LONG ENOUGH TO GET PAST THE BOTTOM OF THE TRANSOM OR YOU COULD HAVE A CAVITATION PROBLEM.
KEN MCGOVERN FELLOW-SHIP [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img]

Finster · #3 01-21-2003, 08:41 PM

I agree with fellow-ship on the seatow aspect, but if you troll a lot and are looking for economy a kicker is the way to go. When I used to fish the great lakes you couldn't beat it, troll all day on six gallons. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] In my 20' boat I could turn 7kts. with a 9.9 on FAC days, not enough in my opinion for the ocean. I would go with at least a 20hp for off shore. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[ January 21, 2003, 07:44 PM: Message edited by: Finster ]

Endeavour · #4 01-22-2003, 11:37 PM

But with Sea tow don't you pay a big penalty if you're offshore? Same with a weekend, night etc.. I could definately be wrong, I used to be a member years ago until they nailed me for $300+ for a late Oct, Sunday night tow.

PipeDreamsMarine · #5 01-23-2003, 11:51 AM

I have a 15 on my 67 -19'. Works great for trolling and drift fishing. Moves the boat along nice, I tested it just to see how it would do if I had to come home on it. Worked good just locked it straight and steered with the main motor as rudder.

Don Battin
Pipe Dreams Marine
www.pipedreamsmarine.com