Active Active   Unanswered Unanswered

Small kicker for my Skiff

This is a focused discussion area for information unique to Chris-Craft's Sea Skiff Division.

Moderators: Don Ayers, Al Benton, Don Vogt

User avatar
NOT Firewood
Posts: 114
Joined: Thu Oct 29, 2009 9:25 pm
Location: Nipawin Saskatchewan, Canada
Contact:

Small kicker for my Skiff

Post by NOT Firewood » Sun Mar 06, 2011 8:03 pm

I am looking to put a kicker on my Sea Skiff.

Ok I know you all cringe when I mention a kicker for my Skiff. But it is alot easier than paddling.

To loosen you guys up a bit it will go on my swim platform, so no more holes in my transom.

So what I need to know is what size of HP do I need for my 23'?

User avatar
Don Ayers
Club Executive Team
Posts: 1681
Joined: Tue Oct 25, 2005 3:05 pm
Location: Oklahoma
Contact:

Post by Don Ayers » Sun Mar 06, 2011 9:16 pm

Sorry, but you lost me. What are you trying to do exactly?

Down here in Okie Land a Kicker is a high powered sub woofer for a rockin stereo system. :) In my Skiff I installed an Alpine system with 4 6X9's and a amp.
Fun.

You can see then under the rear seat in this pic.

Image
Don Ayers
1959 Riva Ariston
www.RivaForum.org
www.barrelback.com

Oberon01
Posts: 295
Joined: Thu Aug 23, 2007 9:42 pm
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Contact:

Post by Oberon01 » Sun Mar 06, 2011 10:08 pm

Oh, Don - Up here, "kicker" is the term applied to the small auxillary O/B mounted on the back of a larger boat, usually for trolling purposes. Not sure what they are called south of the border.

I have the same question actually - my 24' has the side steering set up and the mounting brackets aleady in place so I did not want to rip all taht out. All I need is the engine, but also not sure of the right size. I would think a 10 HP would do it, but not sure.
1926 Mullins 16' Outboard Special
1940 CC 19'Custom
1946 Gar Wood 22' 6" Sedan
1946 16' Peterbrough Falcon
1947 CC 16' Special Runabout
1947 Chris Craft 22' Sportsman
1948 CC 25' Sportsman Sedan
1959 Feather Craft Islander Express Cruiser
1961 CC 21' Continental
1965 Glastron Futura 500 V -164
1965 CC Sea Skiff 24'

User avatar
Al Benton
Club Executive Team
Posts: 3549
Joined: Thu Oct 27, 2005 3:41 pm
Location: St. Louis, MO

Post by Al Benton » Sun Mar 06, 2011 10:37 pm

So it would be sort of like you see on sailboats to get them out of the harbor or home when there's no wind. I believe a 10 HP would do the job with no problem. That's about what some of the sailboats have on them in our harbor.

Al

Dick Baner
Posts: 144
Joined: Wed Oct 26, 2005 4:10 pm
Contact:

sea skiff kicker

Post by Dick Baner » Mon Mar 07, 2011 10:11 am

It all depends on how fast you want to push your boat. I had a 22 ft skiff before I sold it to Frank Rupp. I first tried a large, long shaft electric trolling motor mounted on the portside stern deck that pulled up and stored on therear and side deck when not in use. I only needed it once and it did not move the boat very fast. I ended up with a 71/2 hp outboard hung on a "tip-down" bracket bolted to the starboard side of the transom. Never had need of it but that size or larger would probably be fine. My bracket went, I think, to Frank with the boat. Be sure to look for a long shaft outboard so you can keep it clear of the water when not in use. dick baner
1967 33' Chris Craft SeaStrake
"Wave Toucher III,
1965 18' Carver Captain I/O "Wave Toucher II
1974 12' Alcort Minifish,
1973 15' Chrysler Mutineer "Wind Toucher"

farupp
Posts: 832
Joined: Sat Oct 29, 2005 6:25 am
Location: Charleston, SC
Contact:

Post by farupp » Mon Mar 07, 2011 11:38 am

Al and Dick are right about engine size, I believe. 7 1/2 to 10 HP will move the boat fairly well but you won't set any speed records. However, it's better than paddling!

I do have the bracket that Dick mentions and I have an old Johnson motor to use with it. The only problem has turned put to be that the shaft isn't long enough to get the prop deep enough into the water.

I do recall seeing pictures of a Chris Craft utility that had a factory OB motor mount on the stern. I just don't remember where I saw it.

Many sail boats here in Charleston harbor use outboards for moving when they don't want to, or can't, sail (no wind). They use motors of about 5 to 10 HP and they move right along.
Frank Rupp
1959 22-foot Sea Skiff Ranger
283 Flywheel Forward engine

User avatar
NOT Firewood
Posts: 114
Joined: Thu Oct 29, 2009 9:25 pm
Location: Nipawin Saskatchewan, Canada
Contact:

Post by NOT Firewood » Mon Mar 07, 2011 8:38 pm

For what it is worth I did a bunch of research into trolling motors, Trim with troll systems and electric motors. Trolling motors I don't like because to some degree it will take away from the look of the boat and not enough thrust. Elecric motor was pricey and required 4 battries, yikes, it might have had enough power to get me home. The Trim and troll system about the same dollars as a electric motor but not as much thrust and very unproven, it could end up as a very pricey pile in the backyard.

So having a OB motor is the best. I was really hoping that you guys would say about a 4Hp would do as it has an internal tank. So that I would not have to run a seperate line to the gas line or have a second tank in the boat.

But having to drill a new hole... beats paddling.

Thanks guys

Oberon01
Posts: 295
Joined: Thu Aug 23, 2007 9:42 pm
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Contact:

Post by Oberon01 » Mon Mar 07, 2011 11:39 pm

I don't think 4 HP is going to do it. Try 10, and if it is too much, throttle her back. Honestly,I will be looking for a 10HP this spring, and even if it is too much, it is still better than having too little. You are wanting this for trolling, right?
1926 Mullins 16' Outboard Special
1940 CC 19'Custom
1946 Gar Wood 22' 6" Sedan
1946 16' Peterbrough Falcon
1947 CC 16' Special Runabout
1947 Chris Craft 22' Sportsman
1948 CC 25' Sportsman Sedan
1959 Feather Craft Islander Express Cruiser
1961 CC 21' Continental
1965 Glastron Futura 500 V -164
1965 CC Sea Skiff 24'

Dick Baner
Posts: 144
Joined: Wed Oct 26, 2005 4:10 pm
Contact:

skiff padeling

Post by Dick Baner » Tue Mar 08, 2011 9:18 am

I have a 7 1/2 hp ob and a tipdown mount, both purchased used on ebay, for my emergency motor. The two cycle outboard has a selfcontained fuel tank. New outboards may no longer be set up that way but this is only for emergency anyway so try for used. Again, I suggest looking for a long shaft. That is usually what the sailboats have and they sometimes show up on ebay or craigs list.
1967 33' Chris Craft SeaStrake
"Wave Toucher III,
1965 18' Carver Captain I/O "Wave Toucher II
1974 12' Alcort Minifish,
1973 15' Chrysler Mutineer "Wind Toucher"

User avatar
partgypsy
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2011 11:07 pm
Location: Annapolis
Contact:

Kicker outboard

Post by partgypsy » Tue Jun 07, 2011 12:01 am

I really like the idea of a small auxiliary outboard for the slow speed cruising we often do. I intend to install one as soon as I get the boat prepped for launch. A small 4 stroke could tap into the existing fuel tank outlet and burn a fraction of the v8.

gbraker
Posts: 575
Joined: Tue Sep 28, 2010 10:22 am

Post by gbraker » Tue Jun 07, 2011 7:14 am

The only thing wrong with outboards is that they only start at the pier. As soon as you need them out somewhere they never start.

On the other hand the battery system has all kinds of options. You can put solar panels on the hardtop to keep them charged, and even set up some small wind generators. Then you would never have to buy gas.

Of course if you are going to do all that you could just get a sailboat in the first place. Well, maybe not. You would still need the auxiliary propulsion when the wind dies, which it always does as soon as you clear the harbor. The secret is to stay in the harbor.
Gary R Braker

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 9 guests