Need a 9.9 or 15hp Merc/Yamaha/Honda Kicker

[Red Childress]

I am looking for a (long shaft/tiller) 9.9 or 15hp Merc or Yamaha kicker preferably 3 years old or less.

Thanks!

[Red Childress]

Now I am leaning towards a 9.9/15 hp Mercury.......electric start/power trim.....must be a tiller. After checking 2009 prices, a used one in good shape will work just fine for as often as I will use it.


Thanks for the help!

[Ivan]

Red,
For what it's worth...
First, I am not a Merc hater or anything. Our big motor is a Merc Verado 250 and it is the greatest. Wouldn't trade it for anything, but I am not a fan of the small Merc kickers. I went with a Honda for our kicker. All of the small 4 stroke mercs I've been around are very loud for 4 strokes. If I were you, I would buy a Honda or Yamaha kicker.

[Red Childress]

I have fished with boats that have the Merc kickers and I agree they are loud but anything will be easier on my ears after trolling with my 200 OptiMax! The Merc kickers are very durable and as light as other kickers.


I was told the newer Yamaha does not come in a 15hp w/a 25 inch shaft and the 9.9 and 8hp High Thrust are 95 percent the same engine and will not be big enough to push my rig (with 4 guys/gear in 30mph winds or strong river current) fast enough.

I am not having much luck finding a "newer" used Honda either...........


Thanks for the info.

[Red Childress]

It has been tough finding a 25" shaft in anything under a 20 hp because that shaft length is popular on sailboats and very specific applications. Now, I might just get a used 20-inch shaft kicker and add the extension kit for around 300 bucks.

If anyone sees a good conditioned 9.9/15hp honda, yamaha or merc for sale, please let me know. Power trim/tilt would be very nice but not a deal breaker.


Thanks in advance!

[Chris Streich]

Red, i own a 1999 15 hp, Honda, long shaft. I have it on my 16' aluminum deep v. I think you have seen me a couple times on the river. I know your boat is at least as heavy as mine, and the reason i mention this is that i can only get about 12mph out of it. I think with 4 people, gear, and the overall size of your boat this motor is too small. I realize you will be using this just for trolling, but i know you musky guys troll pretty fast, and in wind or current i don't think a Honda 15 would get you to the speed you want, and i'm sure you don't want to have to run it at full bore just to achieve your trolling speed. My opinion, would be a Honda 25 if you plan to troll fast for musky. Just my .02 cents

[Red Childress]

Thanks for the advice, Streicher.

I just priced a couple of 20hp motors yesterday thinking the same thing you are. My boat sits high in the water, is 7 ft wide and is practically flat on the bottom, the wind will push us around like a popsicle stick due to more surface area above water.

The dry weight of my boat is 2200 pounds and plows water instead of gliding through it like a regular lake boat.

[Red Childress]

I ended up going with a 2009 15hp Merc Pro Kicker.......I just could not beat the price and I can get it serviced 3 miles from my house along with my OptiMax......Hope to have her in the water by this weekend.

[Red Childress]

The 15 Pro Kicker pushes my boat and 4 masculine gentlemen 6.7-6.9mph on calm water. At speeds up to 4mph, it really does run quiet but when I push the throttle the extra 25 percent, it is noticeably louder.

[Red Childress]

Pulling this back for a question by Pescatore........

[Pescatore]

Thanks Red, I have an Alumacraft 1860 CC with a Merc 90/65. I know those Hondas are quiet, but I like the Merc. I think I'll start looking for the Pro Kicker.