"Larry D Gibbs" wrote in message
news
I just bought 2001 Bayliner Classic Capri 1950 and am trying to find out
what would be a good low cost kicker engine to use in case of lose of power
to get back to shore. I will be boating in Puget Sound near Seattle/Tacoma.
I am looking for something cost effective.


I had an older 8 HP Mariner (When made by Yamaha) as a kicker on my 21 ft
trophy, worked great for slow troll, a bit slow at getting back in. I
replaced it with a 15 HP Mariner, which also doubled as a good engine for a
14 ft row boat.

I have the 15 HP Mariner on my 25 Thompson for a kicker and it has brought
me in from 7 miles out on Lake Huron.

Personally, I would go bigger than smaller, weight does not change on most
between 8 and 15 hp.

Cost wise, I see that the 10 and 15 Merc and Johnsons are in the $1700 to
$1900 range, at least in Michigan. Also, there are the Nissan engines that
are a bit cheaper, not sure of the reliability or parts availability, never
had one, or knew anyone that had one.

I have had many Merc, Mariner, and OMC outboards, the nice thing about
Johnson and Evinrudes is parts are always available everywhere. I have found
Merc products more reliable, that is all I buy.