R27 Kicker motor, Yes or No?

[Midwest Jeff]

So, we just purchased a like new, used 2023 R27 that has the kicker motor bracket already installed. When I questioned the salesman about the necessity of a kicker motor, his response was that it probably wasn't necessary. Reasons being that the reliability of the Yamaha 300 was superior, and if we weren't going to go that far offshore. He also added that the 9.9 with all the steering and fuel connections, cost could run near $10,000 complete. While I like the idea of the added safety, is it really worth it? I do plan on carrying a spare prop. Wondering what other opinions are. Thanks

 

[LMRanger]

Generally, a kicker, 9.9 HP, would be used while fishing to troll and move the boat vice having the main engine idling for several hours.
It could be used as a come home engine but it would be slow going.

Ralph

 

[Submariner]

So, we just purchased a like new, used 2023 R27 that has the kicker motor bracket already installed. When I questioned the salesman about the necessity of a kicker motor, his response was that it probably wasn't necessary. Reasons being that the reliability of the Yamaha 300 was superior, and if we weren't going to go that far offshore. He also added that the 9.9 with all the steering and fuel connections, cost could run near $10,000 complete. While I like the idea of the added safety, is it really worth it? I do plan on carrying a spare prop. Wondering what other opinions are. Thanks

The kicker is best used for fishing, as it's an hour-eater and will save maintenance and wear and tear on the F300.
The other use for the kicker is a back-up engine. We like to go off-grid so I wanted a backup motor which is why we opted for one.

The kicker also adds 100 lbs on the stern of the boat, it's noisy when running at WOT and will push the boat a little bit over 5 knots. But at that speed, it offers the best fuel efficiency possible on the R27-OB (aside from planning your trips with the current). I see a bit over 5mpg when running on the kicker.

Here's a video talking all about the T9.9 kicker on the R27-OB.

 

[Midwest Jeff]

Thanks for the video. Answered some questions. I wondered about the throttle. Won’t be fishing or going too far offshore. So it would only be about the safety factor. 9.9 performance doesn’t convince me it would get me out of bad situation..

 

[DDean]

Most I’ve spoken to never use their kicker outside of fishing but like Martin says it’s better to have a backup than not. I’m struggling for a place to store my dinghy motor in the R27 and wonder if that bracket might solve that problem for you?

 

[Submariner]

Thanks for the video. Answered some questions. I wondered about the throttle. Won’t be fishing or going too far offshore. So it would only be about the safety factor. 9.9 performance doesn’t convince me it would get me out of bad situation..

If I were running off-shore all the time, I'd want either a buddy boat or twin engines. For intercostal, mostly protected water, which is where I generally boat, the T9.9 would get me to a dock, eventually.

 

[JZimmer]

We had pretty much been talked out of getting the 9.9. When we decided to buy, there was a boat that was ready and it had the 9.9. After having our R27OB since mid October, and being out a total of 11 different days since then, I would probably get it again. We try to start it each trip and run it for at least 15 minutes. It is also nice to run it when we are making lunch and just want to putt along. I think it’s important to run it at least monthly during normal trips so when we really want or need to use it, it isn’t full of cobwebs and gremlins.

I think it will be great to have when trolling and crabbing. I also like the peace of mind that 6mph could offer just in case. I better never run out of fuel!!!!

 

[Midwest Jeff]

I have the bracket for dingy motor too. I have an almost brand new Mercury 20 horse, but unfortunately it’s a short shaft. Probably too heavy anyways. Could you use a kicker with tiller for an emergency? Thoughts are using it with a tiller extension from cockpit.

 

[Midwest Jeff]

I went and looked up the weight specs on the mercury 20 (with electric start) and it’s only 99 lbs. The Yamaha 9.9 is 95 lbs.