New member - Want to install a Kicker to my 215CC

[Barri]

I own a 2006 215CC with a Suzuki DF175. I know that max engine weight is 550pounds. The Suzuki 175 weighs 474 pounds and I want to install a 25hp 116 pounds get home kicker, so I will go 40 pounds over the max. Can this be done since it is a separate engine installed in a separate bracket?

[ILLOGICAL GGC]

I'm 99% Sure ,but I Think Kicker Motors Will Void Your Lifetime Warranty On The 215 Cc . I'm Sure Someone Can Verify This As Well
Ah For The Love Of A Q2----i Can Do What I Want To With It!!!!
Tight Lines
Berto

[MarkGW]

A 25hp kicker seems kind of big. We have a 9.9hp kicker and it moves our 215fine but not real fast.

[Barri]

How fast will you go with the 9.9?

[Codfish]

Barri,

I use a 7.5 Honda as a kicker. It moves the boat at 4.5 mph as measured by the GPS. Not real fast, but it gets me there. This is an older model with a two blade prop. I would think a 9.9 would be adequate for your purposes.

Codfish

[Barri]

Thanks, I probably need at least a 9.9, I sometimes go out 40 nautical miles and here in my country you are mostly on your own. I will most probably go with a 15 hp two stroke hoping I can do 7-8 mph

[Codfish]

Barri,

It is important to remember that even a 25 hp will not plane your boat. It is just too heavy for that. A hull acting as a displacement hull will only go as fast as the length of the hull will allow. It has to do with hull length and the pressures associated with the length of the standing wave the hull produces. Very complicated stuff but it is the reason a longer sail boat hull will go faster than a short one.

That said, you could probably get the same displacement hull speed from a lighter, more fuel conservative kicker like a Yamaha T8 which is a high thrust model and will power the hull through waves and tide exchange at the same speed it does in the open calm water. Power to keep moving is the important thing.

I too go out to 40 or even more miles and feel very comfortable that I can get back in on my 7.5 hp. I would guess my displacement speed is not much more that the 4.5 I already get. I know my power is not as great so speed will slow up the waves but I will get home none the less.

Just some things for you to consider when you start pricing motors.

Good luck with the decision, Codfish.