Kicker on my 11foot Whaler.

[11 footer]

I’ve been toying with the idea of putting a kicker on my 11-Sport for a while. Personally I dislike electric trolling motors. I wouldn’t put one on my boat unless I was a full time bass fisherman, which I’m not. I’d like a motor that has a self-contained gas tank and is air cooled.<br /><br />I know a retired gentleman who buys little old motors that don’t run and restores them. They are cool little vintage motors when he’s done with them. Most of the ones he showed me where strange brands that I had never heard of, I saw some that are kind of well known. Like seabee, elto, sears ect.... I think I could get a nice one for around $300. I’m thinking anywhere from 1hp-3hp would be ok, right?<br /><br />The concern is mounting it on my 11 foot hull. I want to avoid drilling any holes as all cost, is this posable? Here is a picture of what I have to work with:<br /> http://www.naples-fl.com/whaler/Ryans11Footer3.jpg <br /><br />What do you suggest?<br /><br />It would be really helpful if you could send any pictures you may have of a kicker on a smaller boat.<br />Thank you in advance,<br />Ryan.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Kicker on my 11foot Whaler.

I don't see any way other way than drilling holes to install a mount somewhere...but why bother? Have you ever run one of these old egg beaters? They're noisy as hell, finnicky, smoke(25:1 ratio), etc.<br /><br />That's a new 9.9 or 15 Merc you have? I'd just use it! Now an electric, that's something else. On/Off in an instant, super quiet, vibration free, and great for positioning yourself for the next cast. You can make a motor mount out of any piece of plywood or buy a commercially available mount designed for kickers which you will find at most boating stores.

 

[Old Jarhead]

Re: Kicker on my 11foot Whaler.

Thought you were going to sell that 11 and move up?

 

[11 footer]

Re: Kicker on my 11foot Whaler.

Yea, I'd like to move up, Jarhead. But it just hasn't happend. I have a bigger nonwhaler to hold me over for the mean time.<br /><br />I'm going to try to find a way to mount a motor without drilling holes. I want another motor back their just in case my 15hp Mercury has a prolbem when I'm in the open ocean up in Maine and in Boston Harbor.<br /><br />I've got all winter, no hurry.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Kicker on my 11foot Whaler.

I had the same little whaler ,great little boat!!! Just before I sold a larger boat which the whaler was towed behind,I bought a new 2hp yamaha.It was perfect.The motor is very light and has a built in tank.I only got to use it 2 times before i sold the boats.I kept the motor since I had just purchased it.I may put it on ebay soon since we no longer have anything to put it on.I winterized it a few years ago and have had it in warm storage since.it takes up no storage room either.charlie

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Kicker on my 11foot Whaler.

...Backup motor? Try a 4 hp Evinrude or Johnson twin cylinder, watercooled with built in tank. Nice, light, quiet, and real smooth and has more guts than the littler ones.<br /><br />I own one and just love it!