Northwest Fishing Reports

Hi Guys

What kicker size should I get for my 15' aluminum boat?

At this point I have a 25hp yamaha, 2 batteries on it, front mounted electrical 50lb that most of the time I don't remove, 2 x scotty electrical downriggers, and 2 people on the boat.

What do you guys recommend for a kicker to have a trolling range of 1.5 - 4 mph?

Thank you

Your boat description is a bit vague, however, assuming the transom can handle it, a 4 - 6hp 4-stoke kicker would probably be fine but will add another 60-ish lbs to the transom. Why not use your existing motor? It should idle down for trolling easily.

I tend to agree with Phil. It would be a good idea to check the weight rating on your boat. It sounds to me like you are probably already pushing the weight limit even without the kicker. Remember, the weight rating includes people, all gear, fuel, batteries, downriggers and beer The rating is also for good to moderate conditions only. An over loaded boat is very dangerous and could get you a nice ticket if you get checked.

If your 25 wont idle down enough, then a trolling plate would get it slow enough and cost a lot less than a kicker.

By the way, if there is no capacity plate, you can get the rating from the mfg or possibly look it up on-line. You can also Google for the formula. Its on the CG website.

Why do you need another motor? I have a 16' alum boat with 30hp Mercury 4 stroke and find it trolls slow enough for everything I do from Baker Lake sockeye to Puget Sound salmon. I would think your 25hp would troll down plenty slow enough.

Whats wrong with the bow mount? Not sure why you'd need a kicker in addition. I can relate to wanting something that will idle down though, i have a 20HP yamaha 4 stroke on my 15' and it just won't get down to sockeye slow...so I've added a electric trolling motor and it works great.

With the 25hp if doesn't go slower than 2.5 - 3mph on lakes, so sometimes that is too much.

But looks like i have a weight issue anyway, can't really add more weight, so will have to plan my next boat purchase at some point, and be happy with this for now

thanks everyone

Get a lower pitched prop for those times you want to troll slower or add a trolling plate. Least expensive way to go.

why not a drift sock or 3 or 5 gallon bucket of the side? I would do the prop pitch change. Hope you find something that works for you.

I assume your 25 hp Yamaha is a 4 stroke.
Is it properly tuned/idle speed?
I have a 14'. With Mercury 25 hp 4 stroke.
Depending on the flatness of the water, I can get down to about 1.2 mph.
I would look at the tuning of the motor, but certainly spend $$ on drift sock as mentioned, or other slowing options, before another kicker.

scraig1962 wrote:Why do you need another motor? I have a 16' alum boat with 30hp Mercury 4 stroke and find it trolls slow enough for everything I do from Baker Lake sockeye to Puget Sound salmon. I would think your 25hp would troll down plenty slow enough.

Well in fairness your right he prob doesn't need another motor but there is no way out in the salt should you be without a second motor, far as I'm concerned it is asking for trouble even if its a brand new engine.

sickbayer wrote:

scraig1962 wrote:Why do you need another motor? I have a 16' alum boat with 30hp Mercury 4 stroke and find it trolls slow enough for everything I do from Baker Lake sockeye to Puget Sound salmon. I would think your 25hp would troll down plenty slow enough.

Well in fairness your right he prob doesn't need another motor but there is no way out in the salt should you be without a second motor, far as I'm concerned it is asking for trouble even if its a brand new engine.

I have to echo what Sickbayer just said. Having nearly the same boat as you, Scraig1962, i have always kept even just a 55lb thrust Minn Kota on the transom. 2 years ago I was at full throttle back to Shilshole, and suddenly my main motor, 25 hp Merc. Became physically nearly seperated from the transom. (Hanging from 1 remaining loose bolt)
My Minn Kota barely got me into the marina, even in fairly mild chop. Of course it's a popular boating area, so I was never in true danger, but 10 min earlier I was not near anybody.
On your 15 footer, at least carry a set of oars in the salt.

Side note: the last time before that trip, the shop that serviced my outboard did not put the original bolts/nuts on the motor mount. They put short bolts with no locking nuts.---- And no, I do not use that shop anymore.

If your choices are:
1) go out to potentially risky areas without a backup motor or
2)be over the weight limit

Maybe its time to consider a larger boat or only fish in safer areas.

fair feedback here. I guess I don't weight the danger enough yet, even though experienced some rough days on the sound (not fun at all)

I do have the motorguide 45lb on front of the boat. So on calm waters it does decent, even in the sound (of course salt water rated)

I'm hoping is good for the moment.

I think will start saving money for a new bigger boat. 22 feet duckworth (nav sport) or thunderjet

can't wait, but might take a while, gotta buy a house first, and in this market doesn't look so good

New boats can be expensive it all depends on the what you want out of your boat. I sold my TJ to buy a 22' NR Seahawk but along can a baby so I got a river hawk.