Kickers

[mik]

I have a 2019 R-23 OB and want to put a kicker on it. The boat already has the bracket on the swim platform. I found a smoking good deal on a brand new 2021 Yamaha 15hp, but it is a long shaft (20" I think). Just checking with others that have experience with kickers regarding shaft length, and possible drawbacks with a long shaft.

 

[JMarshallR25]

I have a 2019 R-23 OB and want to put a kicker on it. The boat already has the bracket on the swim platform. I found a smoking good deal on a brand new 2021 Yamaha 15hp, but it is a long shaft (20" I think). Just checking with others that have experience with kickers regarding shaft length, and possible drawbacks with a long shaft.

My understanding is that the factory-installed kicker is the extra long shaft (25") high thrust 9.9. A regular long shaft may not be long enough.

 

[az9133bm]

We have a Yamaha 6hp with a 20" shaft. Never had any problem with cavitation even in a sea state. Certainly, an advantage of the shorter shaft is that it clears the water higher when titled. You'll notice our motor bracket was the style used on early model R23's.

 

[bob daily]

To determine shaft length needed, measure from the top of the motor mount to the bottom of the keel. The anti-cavitation plate should be below the keel for optimum performance!
Hope this helps. Bob
Note: shaft length is measured from the motor mount to the anti-cavitation plate.

 

[Linda M]

When we bought our 2019 R27 OB last summer, our dealer told us long shaft / high thrust was needed. (I too had found a great price on a Yamaha...but it was standard shaft) They also shared that a larger horsepower- (I had wanted a 15 or 20) would be too tight a fit next to our current Yamaha - and could rub. So we added the Yamaha T9.9, and had our dealer install it. It is about an 8 hour job. We did test it out last summer on the Saginaw Bay and it did just fine. Looking at my invoice we added the Yamaha 9.9XPB2. Hope that helps.

 

[az9133bm]

In the R23, due to the offset location (from the center-line) a 20" shaft anti-cavitation plate shaft aligns nicely with the closest point parallel (to the center-line) on the transom. Remember, this motor has no chance to plane the boat so prop cavitation is less of a factor and the distance from the transom allows plenty of clear water to emerge from under the transom for our 20" to grab nicely (going forward). Our little 6hp can happily propel our R23 at 4.5 to 5 mph at 2/3 throttle. Reversing is another matter: the prop thrust smacks the transom like a drogue.