What size kicker for a 18.5' PB ?

External Since: Jul 30, 2004 Posts: 181

Folks,

I finally got the old 1250 merc running Smile

However, since the motor is 30 years old I'd like to have a backup
motor. So I thought about a 15 HP merc.

The problem is that the transom is a little ... umm .. soft and I am
worried the 15HP is too heavy.

Now I have to get an as small (=light) as possible motor.

I need this motor to bring me home when the big one quits. It should
puch the boat, but doesnt have to be fast. Just it should puch against
some wind.

How many HP would I need as a minimum?

Advice appreciated Smile

Matt

External Since: Jul 23, 2003 Posts: 930

"Matt Lang" <web1000.TakeThisOut@shaw.ca> wrote in message
news:a0e12e54.0404261920.53b589d1@posting.google.com...
> Folks,
>
> I finally got the old 1250 merc running Smile

>
> However, since the motor is 30 years old I'd like to have a backup
> motor. So I thought about a 15 HP merc.
>
> The problem is that the transom is a little ... umm .. soft and I am
> worried the 15HP is too heavy.
>
> Now I have to get an as small (=light) as possible motor.
>
> I need this motor to bring me home when the big one quits. It should
> puch the boat, but doesnt have to be fast. Just it should puch against
> some wind.
>
> How many HP would I need as a minimum?
>
> Advice appreciated Smile

>
> Matt

A small high thrust motor. Yamaha High Thrust, Merc Bigfoot. Are designed
to turn a bigger slower prop for displacement hulls. And with a kicker, you
will be a displacement hull (contrary to Jax Theory). I run a Yamaha T-8 4
stroke on a 21' 3200# boat. make 6.5 mph. Probably overkill for yours, as
has power tilt, etc.