Mounting a kicker motor on an older boat

I recently purchased a 1988 SmokerCraft Magnum 161 equipped with a 75hp Mercury of the same year. It has a MinnKota Power Drive 12v55# bow mount trolling motor that is flat out under powered. I live in central Wisconsin, and one of the more popular means of walleye fishing is trolling cranks behind boards. The big motor idles at 3.1 mph, which is way faster than I would like. The trolling motor struggles, especially factoring in current or wind.

My dad has an old (1960’s era) 6 hp Johnson tiller that he recently inherited from his dad that he has offered to hand down to me, and so think it would make a killer kicker. I’m concerned about potentially putting too much weight on the transom… eventually I will be upgrading the Power Drive to an Ulterra or Terrova, but that probably won’t happen for a year or two. What are your thoughts and/or experiences?

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What does the Mfg plate state for maximum HP for your boat?

If it’s 75hp, you’ll want to talk with your insurance to see if they count both the main motor and the kicker or if its just the main motor. You could also check with a CO on what they would consider legal on the boating regs side for WI.

You will also want to take your maximum capacity (persons, motor, gear) number into consideration when you are fully loaded. Will a kicker put you over the limit if you have a full boat?

The transom, provided it hasn’t been compromised by anything else (rot or bad rivets/welds), should be able to handle the extra 50lbs of a 6hp sitting on it. If you’re concerned about your boat sitting too low in the rear, you might have other issues (waterlogged foam) going on.

Your other option would be to use a drift sock to slow down your boat when pushing with the main motor.

Lost wrote:

Your other option would be to use a drift sock to slow down your boat when pushing with the main motor.

That what I do and it works extremely well for me. I have a pair of cleats just 10 inches back from the tip of the bow. I tie the bag short from one of these cleats. The bag never reaches the motor and the boat turns on a dime. (much like steering a forklift)

5 gallon bucket with some holes drilled in it hanging off the bow will slow you down enough.

If this is an interim solution til you get a better TM I wouldn’t mess with that old motor as a kicker. Drift sock or bucket and you’re set.

Ditch the kicker. Add a Troll-o-matic tolling plate. Takes a little off top end but will get you down below 1 mph.

I hadn’t thought much about using drift socks… I’ll be sure to pick a couple of different sizes up. Thanks!