Kicker

[chadwiseman]

On my 26x I have a 50 HP, but its rather old. I'm really looking to put a kicker/back up on there for a few years until I get the cash to get a new 50 hp. I'm looking at a 6 hp 4 stroke. For emergencies to get myself back to the maria, is there any concern with a 6 hp, or should I try to anchor back to a 9.9 hp?

[NiceAft]

A 6hp weighs about 55 lbs (25kg)
A 9hp weighs about 85 lbs (40kg))

Unless the kicker will permanently stay in the water, you have to lower and raise a kicker; even with some sort of leverage, is the weight a concern?

[chadwiseman]

no weight concerns, more of a price point...

[rsvpasap]

I've done this a few different ways. Initially, I copied Tahoe Jack's modification on this site using a Garelick motor mount and a 4 hp two-stroke Mercury. (As per the photo of the boat in the sling.) This was fine for a few years, but when I moved to saltwater permanently, the aluminum mount eventually irreparably froze/seized.

After various experiments, I eventually switched to a Suzuki 6 hp four stroke on a Panther heavy duty motor mount. I installed this due to problems with the 60 hp and I did it without taking the boat out of the water. Off the shelf, it does not fit perfectly in the space. To do it correctly, you will need to put a slightly wider flat surface. This might require judicious use of 5200, fiberglass or Splash Zone and some paint. I reinforced inside the transom with a couple of small steel plates, very large washers and a number of 1/4-in stainless bolts.

My boat is heavy and I rarely run the 6 hp at WOT. At 2/3 throttle, the 6 hp does about 3.5 - 4 knts in flat water.

The reason I installed the heavy duty motor mount was because I expect to eventually replace the 6 hp with a 9.9 HP four stroke. I never go over 7 knts even with the 60 hp. If I can get a 9.9 that will push the boat along at 6 knts with a little power in reserve, chances are I'm eventually going to remove the big outboard.

[Maraquita]

I'm pushing a 26D, so not quite apples to apples, but I installed a 5 HP electric last year. Using 740 Watts per HP I hit GPS speed of 7.3 Knots at (pretty much hull speed) 3 HP. The other 2 HP is for pushing against strong wind or or trying to get a displacement hull to plane. (it really does get squirrely!). Even though you are a bit heavier and with more windage, 6 HP should certainly serve as emergency motive power.

[pitchpolehobie]

Whats a 6hp gonna run 800? Bracket 200? Parts and labor...

Might consider a prof service job on the 50hp at that price. My 0.02.