Kicker advice

[Ethan]

Looking to buy a kicker for my driftboat for use in fresh and saltwater. Any advice on what I should be looking for? (manufacturers, hp, 2 vs. 4 stroke, motor care, etc.) Any tips are much appreciated! Thanks.

[snakyjake]

I'd choose one you can easily get parts/service. In my area I couldn't find anyone to sell me Suzuki parts.

I'd also choose one that makes fresh water flushing easy. Other than that, I think they are all the same.

I'd go with a 4 stroke so I can share fuel with the main engine.

[bbordeau]

I have a Honda 8 hp (BF8A '06) with <100 hrs on it that came with the boat. It is kind of a pain. Tough starting cold which appears to be pretty common. I hear good things about Yamahas all the time. When I replace this one, that's the first manufacturer I'm looking at.

[jordancchristensen]

I had a single cylinder four stroke. It was a rough runner 6 hp so I sold it.

[LGB]

It is hard to go wrong with a Honda. The 8 horsepower models are great for trolling and run for ever.
The older models have what I call bent "wire" linkage to the carburetor which can make it difficult to make fine adjustments of the trolling speed from the throttle handle. You can always make fine adjustments with the idle set screw but that means taking the hood off to reach it. I would look for the newer models (rounded top) which have a cable linkage and allows for better low speed adjustments.

Hondas have solid valve lifters so they need adjusting periodically but that is easy and only takes a few minutes. I check mine once a year. Changing the oil (about a quart) and filter is easy. Most models have a fitting on the side of the engine where you can use an after marked hose fitting for fresh water engine flushing without running the engine. It costs about $15.

OH, for a drift boat. You will want to get a long shaft and regardless of the brand an extension for the steering handle so you can stand/sit forward of the stern to shift your weight. Make your own with a 1 1/2" PVC pipe of a length you need. Cut 2 to 4 slits with a saw, length wise about 6" long on one end and mount a hose clamp on it (pop rivets work to mount it). The clamp allows you to tighten it down on the motor steering handle.

[dragonfly]

one of the first things is how fast do you want to troll, and at what rpm do you want to troll at. the main difference between mfg. is the gear ratio of the out drive here is a list of 9.9 hp 4 strokes and there final ratio
Yamaha 2.92-1 lowest gear ratio
evenrude 2.42-1 *
Johnson 2.42-1 *
mercury 2.42-1 *
H onda 2.33-1
Suzuki 2.08-1 *
Tohatsu 2.08-1 *
Nissan 2.00-1 highest ratio
as you can see with the same prop and same rpm the Yamaha is going to be the slowest and the Nissan the fastest if you hate having your eng at a complete idle to troll you can choose an eng with a lower gear ratio and be able to bump up the idle and keep the slow speed, prop change can help on the higher gear ratio but with that same prop it won't troll as slow as the Yamaha just something to think about when making your choice. dfly

[snakyjake]

Is there one that is easier to maintain (oil change, no valves to adjust)?

[dragonfly]

I have only owned the merc. 9.9 and the yamaha 9.9 they both are easy to service but need periodic valve adjustments the yamaha is a little cheper to service because it dosn't use an oil filter both are very reliable but the yamaha will troll slower useing the same prop pitch maby some other eng brand owners can give you some insite on theres. dfly