4hp kicker/backup for 14ft F/G

[jaymasta]

I recently purchased a 1975 4hp johson motor for $150, it is the weedless design which I didn't know at the time I purchased it. Anyways I have got another post out right now in trying to get it to run better for the fishing season but I just wanted to get some opinions on this motor before I spend $$$ on it.
I have a 14ft double eagle f/g boat with a 1995 60hp johnson, Iam not sure how much the boat weighs off hand picture below Iam sure more educated people could make a reasonable guess. Anyways Iam prepared to go through this motor in the off season buy a manual, rebuild the carb, fuel pump, maybe give a good tuneup to the ignition system etc, however I want to make sure this engine when tuned up and in good condition will be enough of a kicker/backup motor for my boat. So far it isn't cutting it for me but it coughs and surges etc right now and is not reaching its full potential at all. So what do you all think will a 1975 4hp motor be a decent enough motor to use for trolling and as a backup motor just in case if in good shape and well maintained? One thing I think that is holding this motor back is the 2 blade weedless plastic prop, and I would like to replace it with a 3 blade metal prop meant for trolling etc. My dealer says he can't get anything else for it but the plastic 2 blade due to the hub designe, will I be able to get one from a prop shop?


By jaymasta

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 4hp kicker/backup for 14ft F/G

If it's the little 4hp twin cylinder then they are a great little motor. Should troll your outfit nicely. Can't help with the prop but I would think you can get a variety of different prop's for it.

 

[jaymasta]

Re: 4hp kicker/backup for 14ft F/G

My main concern is the prop, it is a very funny shaped prop does not look like it would be very efficent, and it is made of plastic, I can bend the edges of it without to much difficulty so I would think it would flex quite a bit when reved up and pushing my boat. Anyone else with thoughts on it?

 

[ondarvr]

Re: 4hp kicker/backup for 14ft F/G

The motor will work fine. Did you check here on iboats for a prop?

 

[jaymasta]

Re: 4hp kicker/backup for 14ft F/G

yea i have checked on here and some other places and nothing comes up, I can't even really find the stock plastic prop, Iam going to go to one of the prop shops around here in the next day or two and hopefully I find something there.

 

[KurtG]

Re: 4hp kicker/backup for 14ft F/G

The 4 should be fine. I recenty picked up an '81 4.5 HP twin cyl Johnson for our 15'. We appear to get 5 or 6 mph out of it (not verified). We have the 3 blade prop.

What's the shaft length and where does it sit?

Ours is the longshaft.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 4hp kicker/backup for 14ft F/G

Iam going to go to one of the prop shops around here in the next day or two and hopefully I find something there.

Great Idea.

 

[kbait]

Re: 4hp kicker/backup for 14ft F/G

Tim's outboards 218-682-2331 probably has a used one. Have the model number of the outboard handy and they'll likely have a 2 or 3 blade aluminum.

 

[jaymasta]

Re: 4hp kicker/backup for 14ft F/G

The 4 should be fine. I recenty picked up an '81 4.5 HP twin cyl Johnson for our 15'. We appear to get 5 or 6 mph out of it (not verified). We have the 3 blade prop.

What's the shaft length and where does it sit?

Ours is the longshaft.

It sits on an adjustable kicker bracket, its a short shaft model and its the weedless model, which is why the prop is the weird shape that it is, at least this is what the local johnson dealer told me here.

 

[KurtG]

Re: 4hp kicker/backup for 14ft F/G

If its on a bracket, then I think you're right onthe prop. There were some folks that did tests on some whalers and various size kickers even the 3.3HP was as efficient as the larger kickers to get the whalers 16-17' to hull speed (5-6 mph).