Kicker Motors

[Tahoe Jack]

After reviewing archives...thinking that my best choices for a light weight kicker is between the 2.5HP Suzuki and the 3.5HP Tohatsu/Nissan. Easily found source for the latter...but not much luck on the Suzuki. Expect that one or two tows avoided over the life of the motor would result in motor purchase being quicker solution and less expensive than a Boat US in the $500 range. Any owner comment update on these two motors? Plan to buy a long shaft. Any thoughts and/or sources appreciated. Jack

[tangentair]

How big is your battery bank? Could you go with an electric trolling motor? If it were me - a 7 to 15 would be more of an insurance policy than something that pushes around dinghies. Not a critique of your choice, just if one nail will hold it two will hold it better. Given that the weight and space are within the same general range.

[johnnyonspot]

I agree that 2.5 or 3.5 horses is insufficient. A six horse would be the minimum IMHO.

[Deeseas]

I have a 5 h.p. Nissan as a kicker on my Mac 19, works great for fishing but that's the smallest h.p. I would go on a 19.

[Terry]

A kicker for the Mac would have to be more than a 2.5 hp Suzie, I'd also want upwards of 6hp. Also I'd want one that does double duty as my dinghy motor.

Duane Dunn has a nice setup for his, perhaps you should take a look. Another consideration for dual duty is weight, I have a 60# 5hp Honda 4 stroke and that sucker is heavy to move around so I leave it on the dinghy, perhaps I may tow the Mac with my dinghy. If you can find a mounting bracket that lets you use the kicker on the mac and also makes it easy to lower onto your dinghy you would have the best of both. (short shaft though) You need to look at 2 strokes to get the weight down and HP up. In retrospect I now wish I had a 6hp or even better, an 8hp yamaha or 9.8 nissan (both < 60#) to convert that dinghy into a little sporster, the 5hp barely gets me up on plane. I use the dinghy for more than dinghy dock service so now realize the limitations of HP & weight.

[James V]

There is a marine law in Florida that say that you cannot put a bigger horse power motor on your dinghy that it is rated. Do not know if it is inforced. If the wind is not blowing and no current the 2 hp SHOULD push your boat at 2 mph. My Honda 2 hp is less than 30 pounds full with gas and easy to put on and off. A 10 hp you will need some sort of lift.

Pro's and con of each. Depends on your cruising area.

[johnnyonspot]

A kicker for the Mac would have to be more than a 2.5 hp Suzie, I'd also want upwards of 6hp. Also I'd want one that does double duty as my dinghy motor.

Duane Dunn has a nice setup for his, perhaps you should take a look.
Another consideration for dual duty is weight, I have a 60# 5hp Honda 4 stroke and that sucker is heavy to move around so I leave it on the dinghy, perhaps I may tow the Mac with my dinghy. If you can find a mounting bracket that lets you use the kicker on the mac and also makes it easy to lower onto your dinghy you would have the best of both. (short shaft though) You need to look at 2 strokes to get the weight down and HP up. In retrospect I now wish I had a 6hp or even better, an 8hp yamaha or 9.8 nissan (both < 60#) to convert that dinghy into a little sporster, the 5hp barely gets me up on plane. I use the dinghy for more than dinghy dock service so now realize the limitations of HP & weight.

You joke about towing the Mac with your dinghy, but last summer some others and I chartered a 36 foot Beneteau in the Apostles, there was no wind, and the engine quit due to fuel problems. We roped the dinghy to the stern and pushed the boat from near the North end of the island chain almost all the way back to the marina, with a 4-horse Mercury on the dinghy. Once we got going we were making fairly decent time.

[HERNDON]

8 HP Tohatsu and I tow ski boats to their docks regularly.
I drop the sails and circle back. The ski boat chicks from
LA always are at the bow and improve the scenery...
Thats what usually catches my attention.

Rob

[Rolf]

I have both the 4 stroke 4horse and 3.5 tohatsus(nissans). They both have built in gas tanks and perform fantastic, the 4 horse has reverse while the 3.5 doesn't.

They both push the macx easily up to 6knots in smooth conditions. The 40 pound 3.5 is imho the best power to weight ratio of 4 strokes. The 20 pound difference compared to my 4 horse really makes a difference in carrying around the cockpit.
R

[Tahoe Jack]

Is this board OK or what! Rolf....your experience is just what I was looking for....trying to avoid any chance of pulling the 'ol X across Tahoe on a calm day with my kayak.....and one Boat US effort would be about the same as the price of the 3.5. I use an inflatable double kayak for a dingy ....so no motor there. I have a big-dog five chamber inflatable but it seems like a hassle for most of my trips. Now...got to read up on those mounts. Thanks everbody. Jack

[Bawgy]

Look at the 5 hp Briggs and Stratton MIne has run great for going on three years now with routine maintenance and parts are inexpensive and availiable all over . Its easy to work on and it is 4 stroke and weighs in at around 50 lbs

[James V]

Briggs and Stratton is a Great Fresh Water motor. Per reviews it does not do well in salt water.

[Brian Russell]

I have a 6 hp long shaft Tohatsu 4 stroke mounted on a swing bracket a la' Dunne. It's on the starboard side. This motor does not have an integral tank, which to me is a plus, as the gas in a very infrequently used motor would go bad, making starting in an emergency problematic. It's just a matter of connecting it's gas hose, squeezing the bulb a few times and away we go. I bought mine from Porta-bote, seemed a very good price comparatively. I tested it a few weeks ago, calm condintions, fully loaded, ballasted boat, pushed her easily a 5 kts., about 2/3 throttle. I locked the motor into a straight position, and steered with the port rudder.

When installing, the main thing to look at is that it doesn't drag when tilted/raised , even when heeled over. Mine will drag a bit at 15 degrees , though it probably doesn't really matter.

[Rolf]

The main thing I don't like about a separate tank and bulb for a small extra motor on the back of your mac is that you need to keep it handy(which really mean in the way) in the cockpit since the connections to your large engine and its tanks are different. This is true even if the motors are all the same brand as mine are.
R

[Gerald Gordon]

I have a Tohatsu 5hp 2s. I'm am installing an outboard motor bracket on the starboard side. I have a Garelick bracket rated for 110 lbs. I had done some work in that area before when I installed a post for my AirX marine wind generator. I used expandable foam at that time which I spent two days digging out.

A word of caution:

The transom on my X is at best 1/4" thick. I urge all planning to mount a bracket to do a good job beefing up that section of the transom.

My mount has an 8"X8" foot print so it can spread the load around a bit. I'll lay up 1/2" of mat on the inside and about 1" on the outside. My transom starts to curve passed the water balast intake valve. I'm going to square that area off so the mount will fit flush and square.