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Author Topic:   Backup kicker for 13 ft?

tw posted 12-12-2003 01:11 PM ET (US)
Took the boat out with the my boys on Saturday and broke it in, we had a great time. The boys are ready to go fishing.
Here's my question:
I'm planing on some bay fishing on the Texas coast and am concerned about getting out to the middle of now-where and having engine trouble. Does anyone have a 13' that they use a kicker on? Or maybe a small emergency moter they carry if they are going somewhere isolated? I was wondering about a 2 hp kicker you could store in a box and only take out if you needed it. Will a small outboard clamp on the transum of a 13', there doesn't seem to be much room beside the engine.
Thanks for any input,
tw
BemidjiWhaler posted 12-12-2003 02:23 PM ET (US)
tw,
I just sold a 1976 13' Whaler (my wife and I bought it new and gave it to each other as a wedding gift.) I used a Nissan 3.5 hp motor with a 20" shaft as a kicker. The boat had an indentation on the transom for a small motor, but the lip on the transom was wide, and the clamps on the motor "bit" slightly into the gelcoat. It propelled the craft well, however.
The boat had a 25 hp Johnson, and the weight of the kicker didn't make any difference in performance or balance, but the 20" shaft on the Nissan would still drag slightly in the water when I was underway with the big engine even though I tilted it as far forward as possible.
I have heard that newer 13' Whalers are a little heavy in the stern and I do not know if there is a mounting area on the transoms of the newer boats. Hope this helps.
Dave
Tom2697 posted 12-12-2003 03:33 PM ET (US)
If you won't have to go very far, I would think that an electric trolling motor would move that boat along fine. Especially since many of the high thrust motors actually produce more than 2 hp. Plus, it will allow you to explore the flats better.
Stealth, Baby! Stealth!
tw posted 12-12-2003 03:54 PM ET (US)
The "not to far part" is the trick. I want something I can rely on to get me back to the boat ramp in a pinch , I don't think an electric trolling moter is the answer.
AQUANUT posted 12-14-2003 07:21 AM ET (US)
when it comes to kickers
consider these.
is it for trolling or emergency to get you to the dock...
this answer will dictate your horsepower needs...I should add that small kickers [below 8hp are considerably lighter than 8hp and above with just a few exceptions..some 2 strokes].....then also bracket sizes vary little in width with the smaller 2/4 [strokes]...so finally weight comes into play..since for example merc 6 hp 4[s] is a nissan as with many other smaller outbds...weight/bracket width/cowling width are simular..so on a narrow transom I suggest arround 6 hp....p.s. there are still a few yamaha classic eights...square cowls..out there..there're light
dependable/compact...but discontinued..so they're going fast

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Author	Topic: Backup kicker for 13 ft?
tw	posted 12-12-2003 01:11 PM ET (US) Took the boat out with the my boys on Saturday and broke it in, we had a great time. The boys are ready to go fishing. Here's my question: I'm planing on some bay fishing on the Texas coast and am concerned about getting out to the middle of now-where and having engine trouble. Does anyone have a 13' that they use a kicker on? Or maybe a small emergency moter they carry if they are going somewhere isolated? I was wondering about a 2 hp kicker you could store in a box and only take out if you needed it. Will a small outboard clamp on the transum of a 13', there doesn't seem to be much room beside the engine. Thanks for any input, tw
BemidjiWhaler	posted 12-12-2003 02:23 PM ET (US) tw, I just sold a 1976 13' Whaler (my wife and I bought it new and gave it to each other as a wedding gift.) I used a Nissan 3.5 hp motor with a 20" shaft as a kicker. The boat had an indentation on the transom for a small motor, but the lip on the transom was wide, and the clamps on the motor "bit" slightly into the gelcoat. It propelled the craft well, however. The boat had a 25 hp Johnson, and the weight of the kicker didn't make any difference in performance or balance, but the 20" shaft on the Nissan would still drag slightly in the water when I was underway with the big engine even though I tilted it as far forward as possible. I have heard that newer 13' Whalers are a little heavy in the stern and I do not know if there is a mounting area on the transoms of the newer boats. Hope this helps. Dave
Tom2697	posted 12-12-2003 03:33 PM ET (US) If you won't have to go very far, I would think that an electric trolling motor would move that boat along fine. Especially since many of the high thrust motors actually produce more than 2 hp. Plus, it will allow you to explore the flats better. Stealth, Baby! Stealth!
tw	posted 12-12-2003 03:54 PM ET (US) The "not to far part" is the trick. I want something I can rely on to get me back to the boat ramp in a pinch , I don't think an electric trolling moter is the answer.
AQUANUT	posted 12-14-2003 07:21 AM ET (US) when it comes to kickers consider these. is it for trolling or emergency to get you to the dock... this answer will dictate your horsepower needs...I should add that small kickers [below 8hp are considerably lighter than 8hp and above with just a few exceptions..some 2 strokes].....then also bracket sizes vary little in width with the smaller 2/4 [strokes]...so finally weight comes into play..since for example merc 6 hp 4[s] is a nissan as with many other smaller outbds...weight/bracket width/cowling width are simular..so on a narrow transom I suggest arround 6 hp....p.s. there are still a few yamaha classic eights...square cowls..out there..there're light dependable/compact...but discontinued..so they're going fast