Northwest Fishing Reports

I had to look at buying another kicker. My Yamaha 8hp, short shaft is to short for the 17ft Smoakercraft. I am looking to buy a Honda 2.3 hp, long shaft. My only concern is this enough motor for trolling PS areas for salmon. I do not not use a downrigger at present. Any thoughts on using this motor, greatly appreciated.

Probably be ok for trolling, but as a backup it wouldn't be enough to push you against a fair tidal current. You could find yourself actually going backwards at full throttle. Just something to consider.

I wouldn't drop down in HP, for the same reason Bay wolf mentions, it's your backup to get you out of scrapes. Maybe think about some sort of modification to your bracket that would drop it lower, or trade it in as partial against a new long shaft kicker.

A 2.3 hp kicker might not be able to get you up to coho trolling speed. Personally, I wouldn't go with anything less than a 6HP kicker for your sized boat out on the Sound. A little wind, some chop, plus current and as Bay Wolf mentioned, you'd be going backwards.

I have a 2hp Honda, it may push my 12' livie around a little faster than my 40lb thrust electric on full power but not much (and definitely not worth the trade off in noise). This is on lakes, in wind 10-15mph neither motor can stand up and even keep my little boat on course and I have to use my 9.8 to get back to the dock safely. I'll be selling my 2hp eventually as I find it kind of useless for fishing.
I think you'd find a 2.3hp kind of useless out on salt in a 17'er but just my opinion.
If cost is a concern, check out Tohatsus, I love mine and a lot cheaper than Hondas/Yamahas/Mercs. The Sorensen shop in White Center sells them and good guys in there to work with. Good luck!

Bay wolf wrote:Probably be ok for trolling, but as a backup it wouldn't be enough to push you against a fair tidal current. You could find yourself actually going backwards at full throttle. Just something to consider.

I run a heavy 16' Pacific Mariner with a 25Hp main and a 8Hp kicker. Fish the Straits out past PA, and have had no issues with lack of power (8hp) to get around, and once used it to get back to Freshwater Bay when the 25hp quit on me. (Maybe 1-2 miles) See my pic ... She is a heavy boat, yet the 8 does just fine. Yes a 2hp is a bit too small.

I use a 4hp kicker on my 14.6' Crestliner around Pt. Defiance, Hood Canal, Pont No Point and Sekiu. unless I'm in the narrows it does well for my boat. I see other guys using 4hp motors, I used a 3hp before on my old Mirrocraft with good results in MA13, don't remember seeing anything smaller out there. My main is mostly a 4 stroke 25hp Yamaha, my 2 stroke Suzuki goes on occasionally just to run it.

You'll throw rocks at that one lung put,put machine after having the T8. I would sell it and watch for a long shaft one. They do show up from time to time. Just my T8's worth - Alan