Kicker motor size for 16ft aluminum

[lousyfisher]

Hi

I have a 97 Sylvan 16 Ft aluminum with a 75hp engine. My trolling speed is really hard to control. I think this year I will need to get a kicker on a budget !!

Does the kicker have to be a 9.9hp? Or can I get away with a 5 or 6 HP motor, or even less?

Any ideas? Thanks

[dukhnter8]

I had a 9.9 on a 16 ft I had and it pushed the boat nicely, also had a 4 hp on a boat which was a little small. I would think a 6 hp would be perfect, but one thought might be to get a 8 or 9.9 hp and take it to the next boat. I bought a nice Yamaha 8hp high thrust and will be moving it to the next boat I buy (whenever that is), but I took it off my previous boat and have it on the current boat.

[lineman49]

I have a 3hp, 2 stroke Yamaha on my 16'Starcraft & it will push it up to 6.5 mph at full speed.

[W.W.IV.]

Think about  how much more added weight you can put on the transon and how you entend to mount it.The four stroke is a lot heavier than the two stroke,I ran a 3.9 merc.on an older 16ft. that was great till it got rough, then it wasn't enought. Theres a ton of 5.5 to 7.5 two strokes out there on Cregs list that look good. I think a good running 6hp four stroke would be a nice quiet trolling setup.

[lousyfisher]

Thanks!! I figured my boat is small enough but wanted to make sure before I get the wrong one!!

Do any of you two have long shaft or just regular size?

[dukhnter8]

Mine were long shaft, on one of the boats I had to put a kicker bracket on as there was not enough room for the motor to sit on the transom. Have to measure your transom to see if you would need a long or short shaft. On my current boat 17.6 superfisherman a long shaft is perfect length for hanging off the transom. You want the ventilation plate to be in line with the bottom of the boat where it's mounted.

[lousyfisher]

Thanks. I will measure it. 

[anytime]

To get away cheap you can also use a drag bag or two to slow you down. There around $35.00 from Amish Outfitters. I us two, one each side, and you go in a nice straight line. One bag tends to pull you to the side.

[lousyfisher]

Thanks! I have a couple for river drifting already but never thought of using them for this!

[fishface89]

I agree bags should solve your problem and a lot cheaper

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[vgramm315]

Hi, I have a 9.9 mercury long shaft 2 stroke and I also have a 6 hp evinrude short shaft. Call me at 3153823902. Thanks

[Blue Heron]

anything less than an 8hp in a 4 stroke will be single cyl and will run a little 'rough'. I had a 8 on my 16' lund rebel - handled the weight fine (the new 4 stks are lighter) and trolled all day and a couple gallons of gas

[tlr426]

I had a 5 hp kicker on my 1650 Crestline and yes it was "rough". A little loud but great on gas and was more then enough on most days. Some times when the Wind was blowing I wish I had a bit more. Mostly to help with boat control but it was worth the money just for the fuel alone. And a back up motor is always a good thing saved my but last year in my new boat when my main died on me.

[tuffishooker]

I use a 8hp OMC 2stroke on a 16 ft. StarCraft 70 hp. would not go any smaller.Fuel savings add up plus the added safety of a backup engine.

Trolling down a big engine may lead to carbon build up .

[lousyfisher]

Thanks for all the info! The distance between the edge and the bottom at the transome where the motor will go is 16 inches, does that mean I can use a short shaft?

[SylvanTroller]

I had a 6hp Suzuki with control king on my 18ft sylvan. Worked like a dream and got phenomenal gas usage.

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[lousyfisher]

Thanks for all the comments!

[Misty IV]

I ran a 6hp Johnson 2-stroke on my old 18' Starcraft center console and it worked great. Had the EZ-Steer system attached and steered from the console.

[steelydan]

anything less than an 8hp in a 4 stroke will be single cyl and will run a little 'rough'. I had a 8 on my 16' lund rebel - handled the weight fine (the new 4 stks are lighter) and trolled all day and a couple gallons of gas

i have a 2009 6hp Yamaha 4 stroke that runs extremely smooth and quiet

[jimski2]

You risk taking a swell over the stern with too much weight on the transom of a small width boat. An extra tank and the battery are needed to be considered also. You may best be getting a small four stroke engine like a forty HP that can troll as you need.

[BAZOOKAJOE]

A trolling plate will slow you down. I have a troll-a-matic plate on my 90 hp Mercury 2-stroke. It wouldn't run slower than 4.0. Now I can slow down to 1.7.

[lousyfisher]

thanks! I will look into that!