04-23-2019, 11:53 AM
I dealt with Joe at Marine Products to purchase the Mercury 8HP four stroke. Joe took time to explain to me why the 8HP was sufficient to propel my boat for trolling. Joe was able to explain the 8HP was plenty of power for a boat of my size and he convinced me I didn't need to step up to a 9.9 kicker which was several hundred dollars more expensive.
I have previously trolled for Kokes using my Minn Kota bow mounted electric motor but I could only get about 4 hours of trolling before my batteries needed charging. The new outboard will troll for hours using a very small amount of fuel. When it was installed, the tech tied into my main motor fuel line eliminating the need for the small 3 gallon fuel tank.
The tech also installed a steering control system that ties the main motor to the kicker so steering is effortless. Both motors can tilt upward for trailering and it is very quick and easy to disengage the linkage when needed. I had planned to use the electric motor for steering but Joe explained the advantages of using the main motor linked to the kicker for better control without having to constantly use the tiller handle to steer the kicker. When I tested the setup at Huntington North, I was pleasantly surprised by the performance of the linking system. I strongly suggest you consider buying the steering control. It wasn't very expensive and I can see many advantages I hadn't considered.
Good luck with your purchase. If you do deal with Marine Products, please give my regards to Joe. I'm glad I stopped at his location and learned many important aspects of choosing the right outboard for the job.
Mike
[signature]
I have previously trolled for Kokes using my Minn Kota bow mounted electric motor but I could only get about 4 hours of trolling before my batteries needed charging. The new outboard will troll for hours using a very small amount of fuel. When it was installed, the tech tied into my main motor fuel line eliminating the need for the small 3 gallon fuel tank.
The tech also installed a steering control system that ties the main motor to the kicker so steering is effortless. Both motors can tilt upward for trailering and it is very quick and easy to disengage the linkage when needed. I had planned to use the electric motor for steering but Joe explained the advantages of using the main motor linked to the kicker for better control without having to constantly use the tiller handle to steer the kicker. When I tested the setup at Huntington North, I was pleasantly surprised by the performance of the linking system. I strongly suggest you consider buying the steering control. It wasn't very expensive and I can see many advantages I hadn't considered.
Good luck with your purchase. If you do deal with Marine Products, please give my regards to Joe. I'm glad I stopped at his location and learned many important aspects of choosing the right outboard for the job.
Mike
[signature]