Scowak, I have a Happy troller for mind. Works as good if not better than a gas kicker. Down fall, you eat faster fuel and you have to be careful when you want to troll fast to get away from a barg ect due to the plate will crack from the edges from the pressure. I have went through two plates and ended up having one of them welded with supports for reinforcement. Plus you will need to change your spark plugs yearly. Used it for the first time last year for Sockeyes and we nailed them. To note I have a 19.5 Bayliner IBO. If you want to wait to buy a kicker, I recommend a plate highly. I have had great success catching fish since putting on a plate.
Good luck on what ever you decide on.

Erndog