Smoker craft outboard question

[erk444]

Me personally, I wouldn't loose the kicker, you never know when engine or lower unit troubles will strike, that's your lifeline back to shore, my 2cents


I've known 2 people who've had to run back in to the dock on a kicker before, 1 in bad weather. Not a chance I want to take.

And a 2nd battery in my opinion is a must.

Again, just my 2 cents

Honestly that was my first thoughts. Either a stronger troll in wind or current or insurance to get back to shore. Thanks for the tips on the foam too!

[Irish_hunter93]

👍

[erk444]

So the tag in the boat says 50hp. Not a huge weight difference between the two according to a quick google search so we'll see how she does out on the water. Thanks to all for the info!

[Remdawg]

I have a 25hp merc on my 15ft smoker craft tracer, I would prefer to have a 40hp. If the weight of your 70hp is not to far off of the 50 that the boat is rated for I would stick with the 70hp.

[GWP]

My 16 Tracker was rated for a 90, but came with a 40, which overall I was happy with and it was a gas sipper. I did put a Piranha power prop on it as it would not plane with three guys and gear in it before.
The kicker may come in handy if you need to do a little faster trolling. I used to have my 6 hp kicker just above an idle (to where I could still pull start it without changing the throttle or gear shift) with the steering locked down and used the bow mount Terrova for directional control.  It worked great that way.
The current 19' boat I have has probably twice the HP (175) it needs, but I do not use it all unless I want to get somewhere quickly as it sucks a lot of fuel.
I use the kicker and bow mount combo often with it.
Try your boat first and see how you like it as is. It may be fine as is.

[MIKEXRAY]

I say run it just like it is, maybe u keep it to two people or something if ur worried about weight. I'd much rather run a 70 hp at half power than running a 35 hp wide open all time lol to go anywhere. As stated before the kicker is nice for backup , can always get in no matter what. Good luck and have fun ! 

[erk444]

So I was able to get it on the water the other day and I think the 70 horse will be just fine! I wasn't able to open her up cuz of the chop but she's definitely got enough power! Time to load the crab pots and put her to use!

[IslandHunter]

I have a 17ft Al bayrunner with the same engine and similar weight kicker. My boat is definitely a$$ heavy and I need to work on weight distribution. My boat is rated for 65 hp so I don't feel too bad with the 70 on there.

Running a 70 on a boat rated for 50 is pushing your luck and safety in my opinion. In my case I fully restored the boat and rebuilt the transom so as least I know it as strong if not stronger than it was when it came out of the factory. I still plan on swapping it for a 50 or 60 hp this winter.

You won't know until you test it on the water but I would be trying to find a light weight 40 or hp if I was you.