What type of kicker/ emergency power and trolling motor for my 20 foot cuddy cabin?

[cecho]

It's a 20 foot modified v that weighs 3600 - 4000 lbs with people, fuel and equipment +outboard (3000 empty). It will be used for trolling and emergency power on a lake that is about 8 miles long. I didn't pay very much for this 35 year old boat and I'd rather not spend more money on the outboard than I did for the boat. I'm hoping to find a used or very budget minded new outboard. 4 stroke would be a plus, but I have room for a small fuel tank if needed.

The wind here can get extreme. I'm hoping whatever I choose can push this boat in a 30 MPH headwind and 4 foot "seas" (or would it be "lakes" :lol: ) if my i/o decided to conk out.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: What type of kicker/ emergency power and trolling motor for my 20 foot cuddy cab

To combat wind you will need at least 20 hoprsepower: For example, a 9.9 on my 21 foot cuddy pushes it at about 3-4 MPH with no wind. Factor in wind and relative current of the seas, and you will need a lot more power.

My recommendation is to keep a weather eye out and do preventive maintenance so the IO will not fail.

 

[Solittle]

Re: What type of kicker/ emergency power and trolling motor for my 20 foot cuddy cab

A 9.9-15 should be adequate for a 20'er on an 8 mi lake. I'd go for an OMC 2 cycle of the 70s-80s - cheap & reliable.

20 hp would be an overkill in my book.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: What type of kicker/ emergency power and trolling motor for my 20 foot cuddy cab

Not in the 30MPH winds and 4 foot waves he is describing!

 

[speed_demon]

Re: What type of kicker/ emergency power and trolling motor for my 20 foot cuddy cab

300hp tiller! You know you're a redneck when your kicker is bigger than your main engine.

 

[cecho]

Re: What type of kicker/ emergency power and trolling motor for my 20 foot cuddy cab

A 20 hp engine seems a bit over kill, does a 9 hp engine have no chance in that kind of wind? I was able to pull a 26 foot twin engine cabin cruiser that weighed twice as much as this boat out of shallow water with a rope in that kind of wind. The waves were much less than 4 feet due to the shallowness and proximity to shore though. I'm pretty sure I put out less than 9 HP.

That's another reason I'd like to use a kicker. Id like to use it to putt around in shallow water without risking injury to my outdrive.

 

[blackhawk180]

Re: What type of kicker/ emergency power and trolling motor for my 20 foot cuddy cab

I run a 9.9 bigfoot kicker on my 20' boat and often fish offshore. Like miles from land with swells tall enough you can't see land. No reservations if the big motor quits, i can get back on the kicker. Ain't gonna be fast but I'll get there. I also fish rivers and really like to be able to raise the main and putt along with low risk of expensive damage. It's a perfect motor for trolling. Got mine used for less than $1500 and couldn't be happier with it. Quiet and sips gas.