Kicker Motor for an Outrage 18 - Moderated Discussion Areas

  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: The Whaler GAM or General Area
  Kicker Motor for an Outrage 18

search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   Kicker Motor for an Outrage 18

lizard posted 08-23-2012 01:31 PM ET (US)
I have a 1987 Outrage 18, powered by a flawless 2001 Evinrude Ficht 115, 25" shaft.
I am interested in getting a kicker (thinking 6 hp but open to input) for offshore back up. I come in a gnarly jetty entrance where things can get big and stack closely together.
I want an OMC motor, because I have had good luck with them over the years and want similar badging to my Ficht, for aesthetic.
What length shaft do I need for a kicker, given that it mounts higher up on the transom? Often OMC motors, when measured from the transom bracket to the cavitation plate, vary in actual length, so a short shaft, conventionally a 15", may actually be 17", etc. What is the minimum actual shaft length and the recommended shaft length that I can use?
Unless I get a screaming deal, I will be going with a 2-stroke for compatibility with my existing fuel supply. Over the years, I had outstanding performance and reliability from the mid-80's Johnson motors.
Your input is greatly appreciated. This is for the So Cal boat, if anyone in that area has one for sale.

elaelap posted 08-23-2012 02:17 PM ET (US)
Just posted today, Liz:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/boa/3217501498.html
Great price (depending, as always, on used condition). Six horses is plenty for your OR 18. You'd pay $1200 plus shipping for a similar one new (anyway, that's what Santa paid for my 6 hp 4/s Suzuki kicker a couple of Xmas's ago).
Tony
ericflys posted 08-23-2012 03:31 PM ET (US)
With a 15hp 20" shaft kicker, my Outrage 18 will do 10mph. You can get an older two stroke 15hp kicker that is 30-40 pounds lighter than a newer four stroke 9.9.
onlyawhaler posted 08-23-2012 03:58 PM ET (US)
I had a Yamaha T8 4 stroke on a previous 18 Outrage. Great motor but I felt it was too heavy and affected the trim of the boat. If you can do with a two stroke and cut the weight I would highly recommend doing so. There are nicer older Johnson/Evinrudes out there to match your motor.
I have a newer 20 Outrage with two stroke Yamaha power and I matched it with a small two stroke. Works great and saves weight
You can follow the link in my profile to my photobucket acct to see if you wish
Good luck
Sterling
Onlyawhaler
lizard posted 08-23-2012 04:31 PM ET (US)
I had a lovely Yamaha 15 hp 4-stroke on my RIB. It took everything I had to lift that motor on and off the transom and I had the advantage of the RIB being on a lower trailer and in my driveway. This kicker will not be left on the boat, especially for days when the primary use of the boat is taking kids out tubing.
I want it for when I go further offshore and when I am traveling through the kelp beds. If I hang kelp up on the primary motor, I have to go into neutral or turn the boat off to free up the kelp, leaving me no steering capabilities. With a kicker the boat can still be pointed into wind and swells while the main lower unit/prop is freed. Alternately, I could tilt my primary motor up and just motor through the kelp with the kicker.
The OMC 2-stroke 9.9 and 15 hp motors essentially weigh the same. I used to have the 15 hp 2-stroke and again, a real task for me to lift it.
I want something light enough that I can pull it at the slip and take it home, when indicated, which is why I went for the lower hp of the 6.
Two remaining questions:
1) Is the 6 hp for the application described?
2) What is the shaft length I need?
Thanks.
ericflys posted 08-23-2012 04:41 PM ET (US)
My two stroke 15hp kicker weighs 60 pounds, and I wouldn't consider anything smaller than a 9.9 if you plan to kicker in from any distance.
20in shaft.
The easiest way to clear kelp is to put the motor in reverse and rev it for a sec or so.
lizard posted 08-23-2012 08:30 PM ET (US)
Thanks for your response, Eric. The kelp I am talking about doesn't back off very easily. The first shot is to put it in reverse, the trouble is that the kelp is so thick and dense, you find yourself right on top of another one.
We have anchored kelp, which can be up to 80-90 ft. deep, according to divers in La Jolla cove. Then we have the drift kelp, large collections of which can shift dramatically in a rather short period of time. We also have very large vessels specifically designed to cut the kelp. It can be quite a mess.
Via GPS, I have done routes from La Jolla kelp beds down the big Bay in San Diego, passing the Point Loma kelp beds. I can have a route that was relatively clear of kelp and 2 hours later, on return, find myself in the thick of it, on the exact same route.
This map might make you think the kelp is confined, but it is anything but that.
http://www.mexfish.com/enad/enad/ljkelpmp/ljkelpmp.htm
I have often thought someone who developed real time kelp mapping would make some money.
Any other thoughts from the crowd about 6 hp vs 9.9 hp? That 9.9 hp is going to weigh very much the same as your 15 hp. I am only 5 ft. 2", that is a lot of motor for me to lift on and off a transom. That said, if I am underpowered it almost defeats the purpose.
lizard posted 08-23-2012 08:34 PM ET (US)
Tony- thanks for the link, that Tohatsu weighs 59 lbs. It is a great price and the Dinghy Doctor seems to be quite fond of them.
Since you are lurking, you have had a 15, Montauk 17, Outrage 18 and Strike III+- what are your recommendations regarding hp?
elaelap posted 08-24-2012 09:58 AM ET (US)
A six horsepower kicker is just fine for a classic Outrage 18, Liz. That's what I ran on mine and it easily and swiftly pushed the boat up to displacement hull speed, and kept it there with the throttle about half way open. We have a six horse Nissan four stroke on our partnership 'Revenge' 21 prototype and use it a great deal. It also pushes 'Strike3' along easily, notwithstanding that boat's somewhat heavy cabin. The only reason I can see for using a larger kicker on your OR 18 is that you would have a much quieter two cylinder motor, but yes, there would be a substantial increase in weight.
Tony
lizard posted 08-25-2012 02:13 AM ET (US)
Tony- this is the west coast boat, and it is slipped in Mission Bay. The channel coming into Mission Bay, (despite a very recent and expensive dredging project to address this particular problem) can get pretty challenging, even in good weather. Sheila's husband, Rich has a rather famous photo of a boat he was in and rollers chasing it in. I need to know if a 6 hp can keep an Outrage on the back of the swells, which they are mixed, steep and close together. Besides weight, that is my other challenge.
Peter posted 08-25-2012 07:58 AM ET (US)
If I were in Lizard's situation, I would either try to borrow a 2 cylinder 2-stroke 6 HP Evinrude or Johnson to try out or buy one. I see these motors advertised on Craigslist often for under $500. These motors weigh about 55 lbs and are lighter in operating form than the 6-HP 4-stroke. (You may be carrying up to 4 plus pounds of fluids in the 4-stroke).
An advantage that the old OMC 6 HP motors have is that they connect to a remote fuel tank. The 4-strokes have an integral tank that is sized to hold about 1 hour of fuel at full throttle. Ever try refilling an integral tank hanging off the transom in lumpy seas?
The Evinrude/Johnson 9.9 or 15 HP 2-strokes weigh about 80 lbs.
But with the concerns Lizard has, it really sounds like twin outboards are the way to go, not a 6 HP kicker.
Peter posted 08-25-2012 08:00 AM ET (US)
Forgot another advantage to the OMC 6 HP -- it can be connected to remote controls so you do not need to sit back at the transom.
lizard posted 08-25-2012 12:25 PM ET (US)
Peter- thanks for your comments. I have done this more than once in my life, with motorcycles, outboards, etc. I used to have mid-80's Johnsons- a 4 hp, a 6 hp and a 15 hp. I also had a 15 hp Nissan. They became clutter for me at some point and I sold them all off. Now, I am looking for a kicker. I am also looking for an early 70's Honda CB 350, which I had and sold about 12 years ago. Ugh.
Actually, I never considered trying to borrow a kicker to test it out. It would take some coordinating with a potential lender to get the motor on the right day (nasty swells at the inlet).
Let me ask you another question- my idea was to get a tiller model, since there isn't power tilt on those old motors anyway. Remote controls are nice but don't solve my problem in the kelp, a tiller keeps me back near the to-be-fouled prop. I have always had an internal debate if it is better to have motors with separate steering, etc. so that if something in the steering snapped, I'd have an isolated and independent motor. My only concern with a tiller was seeing over the bow from the transom, at my height of 5/2". Your thoughts?
I'd love to put twin 60 or 75 hp E-TECs on there, which is what I think Dave Buckalew had, but that isn't happening anytime soon.
gnr posted 08-25-2012 01:26 PM ET (US)
LOL
jharrell posted 08-26-2012 02:32 PM ET (US)

quote:
These motors weigh about 55 lbs and are lighter in operating form than the 6-HP 4-stroke. (You may be carrying up to 4 plus pounds of fluids in the 4-stroke).
Suzuki 6 4-stroke carries .74 qts of oil or about 1.3 pounds.

quote:
An advantage that the old OMC 6 HP motors have is that they connect to a remote fuel tank. The 4-strokes have an integral tank that is sized to hold about 1 hour of fuel at full throttle. Ever try refilling an integral tank hanging off the transom in lumpy seas?
Suzuki 6 4-stroke has a external fuel tank connection so the choice is yours whether to use internal or external.
I have a long shaft Johnson/OMC 6 on my Montauk and it's a fine motor other than the tilt lock pin which sheared off in the chop. Now I must use a wood block to prop it up, from what I understand a common problem with these motors when used as a kicker. It works well and pushes my Montauk to 7 mph full-throttle in calm conditions and uses the same fuel as my Main(50:1 2-stroke mix). Definitely no need to go bigger on that boat, not sure about a Outrage 18 though.
When I re-power with a newer engine that doesn't use premix fuel I will probably get the matching kicker to go with it for fuel compatibility and a charging circuit as well.
With the Suzuki 6 you can have a half gallon of backup fuel self contained in it's internal tank in case the main fuel system has a problem, while still running off the main tanks otherwise, which is some nice flexibility.
Buckda posted 08-26-2012 03:02 PM ET (US)
Lizard,
I've used my 1970 6HP Seahorse/Johnson as a kicker for my 18. It worked fine, and powered the boat to displacement speed fairly well - even with the old school 2 blade prop I have on it.
The problem with not connecting a steering rod and throttle is that you'll have trouble seeing over the bow if you sit back there and tiller steer. BTDT.
I used it on the 18 for big trips until I repowered with twin E-TEC engines.
The fuel supply would be different, though - since you have a direct injected 2-stroke that burns straight gas and mixes the fuel/oil "downstream" of the fuel tank.
I've seen these old motors go for as low as $350 in good working order. On mine, I spent another $175 to replace the points and get her working well, and then another 115 in new paint and replacement decals to get her to OEM configuration.
Worth every penny. I learned how to boat with that motor, and still use it every summer. Next year, my cousin's son will have his first encounter with the DAB School of Boat Handling....using a small aluminum boat and that motor.....Once you buy it, it'll be the last motor you need to buy cause it will last forever.
Dave
jharrell posted 08-26-2012 04:24 PM ET (US)
I use my Johnson 6 with the tiller. I have no issue seeing over the console and I just lean back on the top of my tilted up main engine as a back rest, kinda makes my Montauk feel like my old john boat again.
This does get tiring though if you do it for long periods and it doesn't feel very secure in rough sea's in that back corner. I have the steering tightened pretty good so I can let go of the tiller and steer with the main engine as a rudder sometimes.
I have thought about doing remote steering, then I start thinking about dual binnacle control and full electric tilt and decide to leave it basic, but a steering tie bar with quick release would be nice.
I can't say enough good things about the OMC 2 cylinder 6/8 hp engine though. I had the 8hp short shaft version growing up on my john boat, it was purchased new in 1985 as is still running perfectly today with almost no problems. It's why I didn't hesitate buying the 6hp long shaft version as my kicker for $300 even though it wasn't running good, simply a gummed up carb and I knew it.
I am not in a hurry to replace mine, I may even keep it with a new engine, but it will need to have an isolated fuel supply.
jharrell posted 08-26-2012 04:31 PM ET (US)
Almost forgot about Joe Kriz's Evinrude/OMC 8 Kicker installation on his Outrage 18, really nice setup which is mentioned in the reference here:
http://users.sisqtel.net/jkriz/Outrage/Kicker/
He modified his to support an oiling system to remove the need for pre-mix.
placerville posted 08-26-2012 05:57 PM ET (US)
Lizard,
The 6 hp Nissan that Tony mentioned that we have on our 21' boat has it's own 3 gallon tank that will run it for days worth of trolling. We have several hundred hours of trolling in all conditions we boat in.
We have it connected to our main engine with one of those tie bars..It stays connected regardless of either engine being tilted. It steers perfectly with our main steering wheel. I'm sure that any Omc 6 hp will work fine.
I don't think any kicker will keep you on the back of a swell.
andygere posted 08-27-2012 12:45 AM ET (US)
I think you should consider permanently mounting the kicker. It really won't be in the way for other uses of the boat, and you never really know when you are going to have engine trouble and need back up power. Why not keep it on the boat all the time? a 2-stroke 6-9.9 hp will push the boat well and won't weigh too much.
I have my kicker rigged with electric start and remote throttle and shift. This is a great setup, and makes operating the boat on the kicker much easier. In terms of kelp, you might want to consider getting a kelp knife made for your main motor.
andygere posted 08-27-2012 12:47 AM ET (US)
20" shaft is what you need. I have a 20" directly mounted to the transom of my Outrage 22 and it's ideal.

Hop to:

Contact Us | RETURN to ContinuousWave Top Page

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Freeware Version 2000
Purchase our Licensed Version- which adds many more features!
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.

Author	Topic: Kicker Motor for an Outrage 18
lizard	posted 08-23-2012 01:31 PM ET (US) I have a 1987 Outrage 18, powered by a flawless 2001 Evinrude Ficht 115, 25" shaft. I am interested in getting a kicker (thinking 6 hp but open to input) for offshore back up. I come in a gnarly jetty entrance where things can get big and stack closely together. I want an OMC motor, because I have had good luck with them over the years and want similar badging to my Ficht, for aesthetic. What length shaft do I need for a kicker, given that it mounts higher up on the transom? Often OMC motors, when measured from the transom bracket to the cavitation plate, vary in actual length, so a short shaft, conventionally a 15", may actually be 17", etc. What is the minimum actual shaft length and the recommended shaft length that I can use? Unless I get a screaming deal, I will be going with a 2-stroke for compatibility with my existing fuel supply. Over the years, I had outstanding performance and reliability from the mid-80's Johnson motors. Your input is greatly appreciated. This is for the So Cal boat, if anyone in that area has one for sale.
elaelap	posted 08-23-2012 02:17 PM ET (US) Just posted today, Liz: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/boa/3217501498.html Great price (depending, as always, on used condition). Six horses is plenty for your OR 18. You'd pay $1200 plus shipping for a similar one new (anyway, that's what Santa paid for my 6 hp 4/s Suzuki kicker a couple of Xmas's ago). Tony
ericflys	posted 08-23-2012 03:31 PM ET (US) With a 15hp 20" shaft kicker, my Outrage 18 will do 10mph. You can get an older two stroke 15hp kicker that is 30-40 pounds lighter than a newer four stroke 9.9.
onlyawhaler	posted 08-23-2012 03:58 PM ET (US) I had a Yamaha T8 4 stroke on a previous 18 Outrage. Great motor but I felt it was too heavy and affected the trim of the boat. If you can do with a two stroke and cut the weight I would highly recommend doing so. There are nicer older Johnson/Evinrudes out there to match your motor. I have a newer 20 Outrage with two stroke Yamaha power and I matched it with a small two stroke. Works great and saves weight You can follow the link in my profile to my photobucket acct to see if you wish Good luck Sterling Onlyawhaler
lizard	posted 08-23-2012 04:31 PM ET (US) I had a lovely Yamaha 15 hp 4-stroke on my RIB. It took everything I had to lift that motor on and off the transom and I had the advantage of the RIB being on a lower trailer and in my driveway. This kicker will not be left on the boat, especially for days when the primary use of the boat is taking kids out tubing. I want it for when I go further offshore and when I am traveling through the kelp beds. If I hang kelp up on the primary motor, I have to go into neutral or turn the boat off to free up the kelp, leaving me no steering capabilities. With a kicker the boat can still be pointed into wind and swells while the main lower unit/prop is freed. Alternately, I could tilt my primary motor up and just motor through the kelp with the kicker. The OMC 2-stroke 9.9 and 15 hp motors essentially weigh the same. I used to have the 15 hp 2-stroke and again, a real task for me to lift it. I want something light enough that I can pull it at the slip and take it home, when indicated, which is why I went for the lower hp of the 6. Two remaining questions: 1) Is the 6 hp for the application described? 2) What is the shaft length I need? Thanks.
ericflys	posted 08-23-2012 04:41 PM ET (US) My two stroke 15hp kicker weighs 60 pounds, and I wouldn't consider anything smaller than a 9.9 if you plan to kicker in from any distance. 20in shaft. The easiest way to clear kelp is to put the motor in reverse and rev it for a sec or so.
lizard	posted 08-23-2012 08:30 PM ET (US) Thanks for your response, Eric. The kelp I am talking about doesn't back off very easily. The first shot is to put it in reverse, the trouble is that the kelp is so thick and dense, you find yourself right on top of another one. We have anchored kelp, which can be up to 80-90 ft. deep, according to divers in La Jolla cove. Then we have the drift kelp, large collections of which can shift dramatically in a rather short period of time. We also have very large vessels specifically designed to cut the kelp. It can be quite a mess. Via GPS, I have done routes from La Jolla kelp beds down the big Bay in San Diego, passing the Point Loma kelp beds. I can have a route that was relatively clear of kelp and 2 hours later, on return, find myself in the thick of it, on the exact same route. This map might make you think the kelp is confined, but it is anything but that. http://www.mexfish.com/enad/enad/ljkelpmp/ljkelpmp.htm I have often thought someone who developed real time kelp mapping would make some money. Any other thoughts from the crowd about 6 hp vs 9.9 hp? That 9.9 hp is going to weigh very much the same as your 15 hp. I am only 5 ft. 2", that is a lot of motor for me to lift on and off a transom. That said, if I am underpowered it almost defeats the purpose.
lizard	posted 08-23-2012 08:34 PM ET (US) Tony- thanks for the link, that Tohatsu weighs 59 lbs. It is a great price and the Dinghy Doctor seems to be quite fond of them. Since you are lurking, you have had a 15, Montauk 17, Outrage 18 and Strike III+- what are your recommendations regarding hp?
elaelap	posted 08-24-2012 09:58 AM ET (US) A six horsepower kicker is just fine for a classic Outrage 18, Liz. That's what I ran on mine and it easily and swiftly pushed the boat up to displacement hull speed, and kept it there with the throttle about half way open. We have a six horse Nissan four stroke on our partnership 'Revenge' 21 prototype and use it a great deal. It also pushes 'Strike3' along easily, notwithstanding that boat's somewhat heavy cabin. The only reason I can see for using a larger kicker on your OR 18 is that you would have a much quieter two cylinder motor, but yes, there would be a substantial increase in weight. Tony
lizard	posted 08-25-2012 02:13 AM ET (US) Tony- this is the west coast boat, and it is slipped in Mission Bay. The channel coming into Mission Bay, (despite a very recent and expensive dredging project to address this particular problem) can get pretty challenging, even in good weather. Sheila's husband, Rich has a rather famous photo of a boat he was in and rollers chasing it in. I need to know if a 6 hp can keep an Outrage on the back of the swells, which they are mixed, steep and close together. Besides weight, that is my other challenge.
Peter	posted 08-25-2012 07:58 AM ET (US) If I were in Lizard's situation, I would either try to borrow a 2 cylinder 2-stroke 6 HP Evinrude or Johnson to try out or buy one. I see these motors advertised on Craigslist often for under $500. These motors weigh about 55 lbs and are lighter in operating form than the 6-HP 4-stroke. (You may be carrying up to 4 plus pounds of fluids in the 4-stroke). An advantage that the old OMC 6 HP motors have is that they connect to a remote fuel tank. The 4-strokes have an integral tank that is sized to hold about 1 hour of fuel at full throttle. Ever try refilling an integral tank hanging off the transom in lumpy seas? The Evinrude/Johnson 9.9 or 15 HP 2-strokes weigh about 80 lbs. But with the concerns Lizard has, it really sounds like twin outboards are the way to go, not a 6 HP kicker.
Peter	posted 08-25-2012 08:00 AM ET (US) Forgot another advantage to the OMC 6 HP -- it can be connected to remote controls so you do not need to sit back at the transom.
lizard	posted 08-25-2012 12:25 PM ET (US) Peter- thanks for your comments. I have done this more than once in my life, with motorcycles, outboards, etc. I used to have mid-80's Johnsons- a 4 hp, a 6 hp and a 15 hp. I also had a 15 hp Nissan. They became clutter for me at some point and I sold them all off. Now, I am looking for a kicker. I am also looking for an early 70's Honda CB 350, which I had and sold about 12 years ago. Ugh. Actually, I never considered trying to borrow a kicker to test it out. It would take some coordinating with a potential lender to get the motor on the right day (nasty swells at the inlet). Let me ask you another question- my idea was to get a tiller model, since there isn't power tilt on those old motors anyway. Remote controls are nice but don't solve my problem in the kelp, a tiller keeps me back near the to-be-fouled prop. I have always had an internal debate if it is better to have motors with separate steering, etc. so that if something in the steering snapped, I'd have an isolated and independent motor. My only concern with a tiller was seeing over the bow from the transom, at my height of 5/2". Your thoughts? I'd love to put twin 60 or 75 hp E-TECs on there, which is what I think Dave Buckalew had, but that isn't happening anytime soon.
gnr	posted 08-25-2012 01:26 PM ET (US) LOL
jharrell	posted 08-26-2012 02:32 PM ET (US) quote: These motors weigh about 55 lbs and are lighter in operating form than the 6-HP 4-stroke. (You may be carrying up to 4 plus pounds of fluids in the 4-stroke). Suzuki 6 4-stroke carries .74 qts of oil or about 1.3 pounds. quote: An advantage that the old OMC 6 HP motors have is that they connect to a remote fuel tank. The 4-strokes have an integral tank that is sized to hold about 1 hour of fuel at full throttle. Ever try refilling an integral tank hanging off the transom in lumpy seas? Suzuki 6 4-stroke has a external fuel tank connection so the choice is yours whether to use internal or external. I have a long shaft Johnson/OMC 6 on my Montauk and it's a fine motor other than the tilt lock pin which sheared off in the chop. Now I must use a wood block to prop it up, from what I understand a common problem with these motors when used as a kicker. It works well and pushes my Montauk to 7 mph full-throttle in calm conditions and uses the same fuel as my Main(50:1 2-stroke mix). Definitely no need to go bigger on that boat, not sure about a Outrage 18 though. When I re-power with a newer engine that doesn't use premix fuel I will probably get the matching kicker to go with it for fuel compatibility and a charging circuit as well. With the Suzuki 6 you can have a half gallon of backup fuel self contained in it's internal tank in case the main fuel system has a problem, while still running off the main tanks otherwise, which is some nice flexibility.
Buckda	posted 08-26-2012 03:02 PM ET (US) Lizard, I've used my 1970 6HP Seahorse/Johnson as a kicker for my 18. It worked fine, and powered the boat to displacement speed fairly well - even with the old school 2 blade prop I have on it. The problem with not connecting a steering rod and throttle is that you'll have trouble seeing over the bow if you sit back there and tiller steer. BTDT. I used it on the 18 for big trips until I repowered with twin E-TEC engines. The fuel supply would be different, though - since you have a direct injected 2-stroke that burns straight gas and mixes the fuel/oil "downstream" of the fuel tank. I've seen these old motors go for as low as $350 in good working order. On mine, I spent another $175 to replace the points and get her working well, and then another 115 in new paint and replacement decals to get her to OEM configuration. Worth every penny. I learned how to boat with that motor, and still use it every summer. Next year, my cousin's son will have his first encounter with the DAB School of Boat Handling....using a small aluminum boat and that motor.....Once you buy it, it'll be the last motor you need to buy cause it will last forever. Dave
jharrell	posted 08-26-2012 04:24 PM ET (US) I use my Johnson 6 with the tiller. I have no issue seeing over the console and I just lean back on the top of my tilted up main engine as a back rest, kinda makes my Montauk feel like my old john boat again. This does get tiring though if you do it for long periods and it doesn't feel very secure in rough sea's in that back corner. I have the steering tightened pretty good so I can let go of the tiller and steer with the main engine as a rudder sometimes. I have thought about doing remote steering, then I start thinking about dual binnacle control and full electric tilt and decide to leave it basic, but a steering tie bar with quick release would be nice. I can't say enough good things about the OMC 2 cylinder 6/8 hp engine though. I had the 8hp short shaft version growing up on my john boat, it was purchased new in 1985 as is still running perfectly today with almost no problems. It's why I didn't hesitate buying the 6hp long shaft version as my kicker for $300 even though it wasn't running good, simply a gummed up carb and I knew it. I am not in a hurry to replace mine, I may even keep it with a new engine, but it will need to have an isolated fuel supply.
jharrell	posted 08-26-2012 04:31 PM ET (US) Almost forgot about Joe Kriz's Evinrude/OMC 8 Kicker installation on his Outrage 18, really nice setup which is mentioned in the reference here: http://users.sisqtel.net/jkriz/Outrage/Kicker/ He modified his to support an oiling system to remove the need for pre-mix.
placerville	posted 08-26-2012 05:57 PM ET (US) Lizard, The 6 hp Nissan that Tony mentioned that we have on our 21' boat has it's own 3 gallon tank that will run it for days worth of trolling. We have several hundred hours of trolling in all conditions we boat in. We have it connected to our main engine with one of those tie bars..It stays connected regardless of either engine being tilted. It steers perfectly with our main steering wheel. I'm sure that any Omc 6 hp will work fine. I don't think any kicker will keep you on the back of a swell.
andygere	posted 08-27-2012 12:45 AM ET (US) I think you should consider permanently mounting the kicker. It really won't be in the way for other uses of the boat, and you never really know when you are going to have engine trouble and need back up power. Why not keep it on the boat all the time? a 2-stroke 6-9.9 hp will push the boat well and won't weigh too much. I have my kicker rigged with electric start and remote throttle and shift. This is a great setup, and makes operating the boat on the kicker much easier. In terms of kelp, you might want to consider getting a kelp knife made for your main motor.
andygere	posted 08-27-2012 12:47 AM ET (US) 20" shaft is what you need. I have a 20" directly mounted to the transom of my Outrage 22 and it's ideal.