How to Select Kicker Engines

Kicker engines are extremely useful for many boating situations. They serve as a great backup if you have main engine issues; this is especially important on big water or remote locations. If you're a troller and have a large primary outboard, kickers allow you to troll much slower, run quieter, and consume a fraction of the fuel. Wired2Fish's Scott Glorvigen provides some good information on choosing the proper kicker motor shaft length given the transom heighth of your boat.

[paulr]

You like a tiller because it’s who you are? That’s helpful and informative.

[shrconstruction]

With the new gps and remote trolling motors now its nice to just use the kicker as a straight propulsion and steer remotely with the trolling motor instead of having to steer the saves the batteries on the trolling motor because the kicker does all the hard work.

[GusgusA]

why did you mount the kicker on that side?

[ricardomariscal]

Is a kicker motor a different option to let's say a electric trolling motor? Does a minkota motor do basically the same thing?

[jimquantic]

Yes, too shallow is inefficient, as you say. But so is too deep. Fact is, there is a sweet spot--range, where it should be. Not too deep, not too shallow.