Which kicker to chose for Campion Explorer 492?

[Paravoffka]

Hi everyone!

I've upgraded my boat to campion explorer 492 and slowly making fixes and setting the boat up. I see on some pictures people put on the same model different kickers like 9.9, 8 or even 6 HP.

The question is which one to chose, weight economy and power. Looking for recommendations because this boat is my first one with kicker.

Tight lines!

 

[RiverBoy]

Hi everyone!

I've upgraded my boat to campion explorer 492 and slowly making fixes and setting the boat up. I see on some pictures people put on the same model different kickers like 9.9, 8 or even 6 HP.

The question is which one to chose, weight economy and power. Looking for recommendations because this boat is my first one with kicker.

Tight lines!

i had a Campion 165 with a 2003 yamaha 90 hp 4 stroke with a 8hp yammy kicker but
man was it stern heavy. it was heavy without the 8hp. what have you for main power?

 

[Paravoffka]

i had a Campion 165 with a 2003 yamaha 90 hp 4 stroke with a 8hp yammy kicker but
man was it stern heavy. it was heavy without the 8hp. what have you for main power?

I've got 75 HP Yamaha 4 stroke

 

[Coyote Spooner]

Make sure you get a 2 cylinder. I had a 1 cylinder, on a previous boat, and they’re loud and vibrate big time. If you’re worried about the extra 50 lbs, over a 1 cylinder. I’d relocate something from your stern, like a battery, to compensate. So my vote would be a Yamaha 9.9 high thrust. The 8 hp is the same motor, so why not get the 9.9

 

[Paravoffka]

Make sure you get a 2 cylinder. I had a 1 cylinder, on a previous boat, and they’re loud and vibrate big time. If you’re worried about the extra 50 lbs, over a 1 cylinder. I’d relocate something from your stern, like a battery, to compensate. So my vote would be a Yamaha 9.9 high thrust. The 8 hp is the same motor, so why not get the 9.9

I'm thinking about 4 stroke kicker, I'd guess it shouldn't vibrate, however it will be heavy.

 

[Coyote Spooner]

I'm thinking about 4 stroke kicker, I'd guess it shouldn't vibrate, however it will be heavy.

6hp 4 stroke 1 cylinder will vibrate and be loud. I had a 4hp version on my 14ft aluminum. I hated it, except for the gas bill. The 4 hp and 6 are generally the same. Some have charging systems and some don’t. Pretty sure charging is standard on 8-9.9

 

[Saskasomebody]

I'm thinking about 4 stroke kicker, I'd guess it shouldn't vibrate, however it will be heavy.

Anything 6 hp or less will vibrate a lot due to being 1 cylinder unless it's an old 2 stroke 6 hp Yamaha. Yes 4 strokes even at 6 hp will be noisy and have a lot of vibration at higher RPM. Go with a 9.9.

 

[Fisherman Rob]

Anything 6 hp or less will vibrate a lot due to being 1 cylinder unless it's an old 2 stroke 6 hp Yamaha. Yes 4 strokes even at 6 hp will be noisy and have a lot of vibration at higher RPM. Go with a 9.9.

I have a 2005 6hp yamaha 4 stroke 2 cylinder on my double eagle 176 and it purrs. I think that was the last year it was a 2 cylinder.

 

[Coyote Spooner]

I have a 2005 6hp yamaha 4 stroke 2 cylinder on my double eagle 176 and it purrs. I think that was the last year it was a 2 cylinder.

Yeah that’s when the 6 and 8 were essentially the same, and the 9.9 and 15 were the same. Big difference with the newer 4 and 6hp.

 

[Redfisher]

I had a 492 for a number of years. Mine had a Yamaha 50 on it and I had a Yamaha 6 hp kicker on it and took it off. Too much weight in stern for my liking and I just trolled off the main. Worked great.

The 50 was a little light for power but it worked ok with more pitch.

I did have a wave partially break and come over the stern in a nasty following sea coming back from the Little Qualicum. Was glad I didn’t have the kicker on.

I liked that little boat. Fished it in weather I shouldn’t have at times. I might suggest you add in a splash board across the transom to keep errant waves out.

 

[Samnjoe]

I had a Merc 9.9 4 stroke on my Campion 185.
125 Merc 2 stroke for the main.
Worked great

 

[Clint r]

I'm thinking about 4 stroke kicker, I'd guess it shouldn't vibrate, however it will be heavy.

I’m running a 2018 yamaha 8hp 4 stroke. 2 cylinders and it vibrates way more than the old 99’ two stroke yamaha 6hp It replaced

 

[Paravoffka]

I had a 492 for a number of years. Mine had a Yamaha 50 on it and I had a Yamaha 6 hp kicker on it and took it off. Too much weight in stern for my liking and I just trolled off the main. Worked great.

The 50 was a little light for power but it worked ok with more pitch.

I did have a wave partially break and come over the stern in a nasty following sea coming back from the Little Qualicum. Was glad I didn’t have the kicker on.

I liked that little boat. Fished it in weather I shouldn’t have at times. I might suggest you add in a splash board across the transom to keep errant waves out.

I've seen pictures of the boat on the internet with splash board. Is splash board sold somewhere or it needs to be done by myself?

 

[32Knots]

I have the same boat. 492 with 90hp and I run an 2018 8hp yamaha on the back (I like it for the safety factor) I troll of the 90 mostly.

Nice little run around boat. As stated heavy in the rear with the 90. I think I am going to switch out the 2 seats for a flippable bench or leaning post to gain some room to move around.

Been thinking of selling this spring for something more lasquiti friendly.

 

[Paravoffka]

I have the same boat. 492 with 90hp and I run an 2018 8hp yamaha on the back (I like it for the safety factor) I troll of the 90 mostly.

Nice little run around boat. As stated heavy in the rear with the 90. I think I am going to switch out the 2 seats for a flippable bench or leaning post to gain some room to move around.

Been thinking of selling this spring for something more lasquiti friendly.

But is it enough 8 HP for trolling? if I want to save gas and troll using kicker instead of the main? If I go out I usally do it for the whole day and trolling using the main ending will be pricy.

 

[Clint r]

But is it enough 8 HP for trolling? if I want to save gas and troll using kicker instead of the main? If I go out I usally do it for the whole day and trolling using the main ending will be pricy.

My 8hp pushed a heavy old 22’ bayliner no problems at all. Even in the wind.

 

[scott craven]

Down side to a smaller kicker is you need to keep the revs higher to maintain speed in wind and current.
Higher revs = more noise

 

[eroyd]

6 and under are noisy single cylinder vibrators in Merc's. I have a 5. OK for back-up but not pleasant for trolling. (unless you like vibrators ) If you were looking for an 8 you might as well get a 9.9 as I think the weight is about the same.

 

[Reel Gone]

This is roughly a 16-17’ boat right? I would think 6-8 hp kicker is the right size. I run a 9.9 on a 24’ without issue, yes a 15 would be better but the 9.9 works fine

 

[Redfisher]

I've seen pictures of the boat on the internet with splash board. Is splash board sold somewhere or it needs to be done by myself?

It’s something you make up yourself. Just has to be something to deflect water back if a wave comes over your stern.

I can’t emphasize enough about the weight in the stern. I really suggest you bag the thought of a kicker, put an anchor in your bow compartment for worst case scenarios and make sure your cell phone is charged up if you ever need to have someone tow you in. This is not a charter boat being fished in all conditions for 90 days a year.