Kicker without power tilt

I’ve been contemplating a kicker for my 175 competitor. I used to fish a couple spots on the Mississippi River that are very shallow and don’t want to risk damage to my 90 Yamaha. I’m also planning on diving into trolling quite a bit more. I was thinking a 8hp Yamaha long shaft but was told by a local dealership that they do not come with power tilt . It looks to me on Yamahas website that they do. So I guess if they don’t is it a major pain in the #ss to have manual tilt or is this not a big deal. Or do you know if the new Yamaha 8hp does have power tilt like I thought. I guess the website is a little vague when you try to look at the specifics of the 8 hp.thanks

You will hate manual tilt. I think T8 and T9.9 are the same weight or very close.

It is definitely an option to get power tilt. At least on the F8 and F9.9 I assume that is what you are looking at. I would recommend it.

martyb wrote:

You will hate manual tilt. I think T8 and T9.9 are the same weight or very close.

They don’t appear to offer the T-8 (high-thrust, kicker version) anymore. The F-8 doesn’t offer the stronger mounting bracket either.

HRG

Old T8 high thrust is now rebadged F9.9 same motor I believe. They make an F8 that is not high thrust.

Yeah I seen the high thrust but don’t understand what that is or why I would need it . If Im just putting around is high thrust important? That’s why I was thinking the regular thrust 8 hp. And not the 9.9. The fact that we’re talking about a 175 I just thought the smallest motor I could get that matches the big motor would be best.

High thrust is mostly the prop itself. Few small differences inside that are beyond my mental capacity. Larger prop allows more water to be thrust backwards at a certain RPM. I actually think a 9.9 and 8 are the same block.
Think of it like this for a large heavy boat a high thrust is like driving around in second gear. Low thrust is like driving around in 5th gear and going the same speed as high thrust in second gear.
Not sure on the specs of your particular boat and what you would need but most true kicker motors are high thrust motors.
The 8 is built for a small light boat and max out speed for said boat. the 9.9 high thrust is made for strictly a kicker motor to push a heavier boat around.
I am sure some have gone both ways with your size of boat I have not been in enough boats similar to yours to give that advice.

The T9.9 has a heavy duty mount to the transom to take the pounding when running through waves with the main motor. It also is electric start and power tilt.

My last boat had a manual lift kicker. I tolerated it since it was a tiller and matched the big engine. The boat I have now has a power tilt Yamaha kicker. Never again will I have a manual tilt kicker. Remote or tiller control.

Gino – I’ll share a couple thoughts from my 1 year experience.

– how’s your back? The lowering and lifting WILL test your backs health.
– how often will you troll and will your trolling runs be 100 yard river stretches or 3 mile Great Lake runs?

I made it work with an ‘07 johnuzuki 9.9 hp but since then I’ve found a Yamaha T8 that will accompany me to my grave.

Good luck.

Kurt Turner wrote:

Gino – I’ll share a couple thoughts from my 1 year experience.

– how’s your back? The lowering and lifting WILL test your backs health.
– how often will you troll and will your trolling runs be 100 yard river stretches or 3 mile Great Lake runs?

I made it work with an ‘07 johnuzuki 9.9 hp but since then I’ve found a Yamaha T8 that will accompany me to my grave.

Good luck.

Thanks Kurt, back has seen better days and I’m planning on some Lake Superior trolling. Sounds like I’ll get the 9.9,unless I find an 8 with power tilt. Thanks for the feedback everyone. The 9.9 probably be an easier resale if I decide I don’t need it.

Gino wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Kurt Turner wrote:</div>
Gino – I’ll share a couple thoughts from my 1 year experience.

– how’s your back? The lowering and lifting WILL test your backs health.
– how often will you troll and will your trolling runs be 100 yard river stretches or 3 mile Great Lake runs?

I made it work with an ‘07 johnuzuki 9.9 hp but since then I’ve found a Yamaha T8 that will accompany me to my grave.

Good luck.

Thanks Kurt, back has seen better days and I’m planning on some Lake Superior trolling. Sounds like I’ll get the 9.9,unless I find an 8 with power tilt. Thanks for the feedback everyone. The 9.9 probably be an easier resale if I decide I don’t need it.

If you can find a used yammi T8 that would do the trick also. I would also suggest tying into the big motor if you are going to fish superior several inexpensive products to do so.

Been there done that….. it works but for a few bucks, do it right. You wont regret electric start & trim n tilt.

I agree with Kurt. Depends on your age, back and shoulders and style of fishing. If you are young and strong power tilt is not a big deal especialy if you have long trolling runs. If you have any back or shoulder issues and run and gun a lot, don’t even think about it. If you look at the cost over the time you expect to use the motor it may only cost + or – $40.00 a year for a great feature you won’t regret.

You also have to consider how close you can get to your transom. My boat has a big livewell and I can’t reach the kicker well enough to lift if. I would have to get on my knee and grab it to raise it. I would never want to stand up and bend over at the back of the boat like that, especially in rough, big water and straining to lift something. I have electric lift and love it. Would certainly do it again.

traumatized wrote:

You also have to consider how close you can get to your transom. My boat has a big livewell and I can’t reach the kicker well enough to lift if. I would have to get on my knee and grab it to raise it. I would never want to stand up and bend over at the back of the boat like that, especially in rough, big water and straining to lift something. I have electric lift and love it. Would certainly do it again.

Thanks, I agree I will be getting power tilt!

Gino,
There is used T9.9 on Craigslist in Chaska for $2500.