Kicker Question

Hey guys. Looking to pull the trigger shortly on a new rig, an Alumacraft Competitor Sport 175 with a 150 Yammie. Will look to put a kicker on it this or next year. I see and hear many of you use a Yammie T8 or 9. What would be the ideal size (HP) for a kicker for a 17.5 foot rig as such. One dealer I spoke to said a 6hp would be good enough.

Give the investment the family is making I don’t want to be just “good enough”. I want to have what works and makes sense.

Any input is appreciated guys as this is new territory for me.

Thanks

D

the 8 and the 9.9 are basically the same motor with different stickers. Never seen a 6 in action but ive owned an 8 and a 9.9 and both are incredible motors, last forever, start really easy and idle down nice.
I seen they started making an 8 again but not sure they have it in high thrust (someone can correct me if im wrong), therefore my vote goes to the 9.9 high thrust

I use an older 6 hp 2 stroke on my nav 175 sport. Works great pulling cranks all day on green bay and Winnebago. If I was pulling in the river current I would like an 8 at least.

I have an older 7.5 horse on my 175 Dominator and wouldn’t go any smaller than that. Would really like to upgrade to the Yamaha 8 or 9.9

the only advantage is the resale of the boat people look for the t8 as a better motor with more power. with a 6 hp you will in big wind move the boat at over 3 to 4 mph more then enought to pull any cranks in aq river with good current same for a while I tried a 6hp on my 1900 prov and had no problem doing anything I wanted to in river and in wind a 175 is a lot lighter the 8 will give more power to pull out of the way faster will pull the boat up to 5 mph point being both will work you have more use with t8 if you want to put it on lets say a john boat for small lake fishing just my opinion

I’ve only had two kickers one was a 9.9 pro four stroke mercury and the other was a 15ho etec

I had a T8 on my navigator 175. Was a bullet proof motor. Ran all day without a hiccup. Have a T9.9 on my current boat and so far, same thing.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

D