kicker size

I was wondering what size kicker would be ideal for my 17’6 targa. Would a six horse merc do the job or is that to small? I believe the next one would be an eight horse then the 9.9…

Personally I would go with the 9.9.

Your gonna want something so when you get into a current or a situation you need power now…….I’d personally go with at least a T8 or 9.9. Targa is a pretty good sized boat and your gonna want the power.

My $.02

i got a targa 17 and just happened to drift by another targa 17 last year that had a 6 horse merc as a kicker. i asked him how he liked it and he said it worked just fine. but that was on pool 19 where there usually isnt that much current.
i agree with the other replies, though, that if you are fishing in much current, i’d go with a 9.9.
btw, i considered a kicker but went with a trolling plate which works great with my 90 merc 4 stroke.

THE 9.9 PRO KICKER FROM MERCURY IS FINE MOTOR, WE RIG T8 YAMAHA`S ON 17 TO 21FT LUNDS AND RANGERS AND THEY DO A GREAT JOB AND THEY ARE THE MOST USER FRIENDLY.

That little 6 hp will get you by but, in my opinion, it isn’t really a kicker motor as it really is a small outboard. What’s the difference? The Yamaha T8 and the Merc Pro Kicker are made specifically for that application and both feature electric lift systems, super strong brackets that can handle the pounding, high thrust, low pitch props that provide an incredible amount of thrusts at slow speeds… and electric start. A small outboard will get you by and if the budget was tight I’d run one in a heart beat over not having a kicker at all.

Those Yamaha T8’s are flat out incredible little machines.

Targa,

I run a 9.9 Suzuki 4 stroke on an 18′ glass boat on pool 8, winnebago, green bay etc… In my opinion an 8hp would probably be plenty for your boat. Let me know if you’d like to see how the 9.9 pushes a similar sized boat once 8 opens up.

Marshall Wuensch