Originally Posted By: MPM
I appreciate all the advice. I ended up buying a 1999 Smokercraft Spitfire 162 (16.5 ft) with a 85hp Yamaha and 4hp Evinrude kicker. I'll probably sell the kicker and use a 2hp 2013 Honda 4 stroke that I've already got.


Congrats on the new toy. But I'll give you a little word of advice considering I just learned this lesson two years ago.

I purchased a 15ft Arima 3 years ago and at the Fisheries Swap Meet in Seattle I found a brand new 4 stroke 4 hp kicker. I thought that would be enough for a little boat like mine. But after actually taking it out on the water I found it was seriously underpowered.

I ended up getting a new Yamaha 8hp 4 stroke which I love and will never be on the water without. There's just too many things that could go wrong with your main and having those extra few ponies on the back of your boat will make the difference WHEN the time comes.

If I were you I wouldn't go anything less than 8hp. Hell, wait until the winter time/boat show and see if you can get a deal on a new 9.9 kicker. Or, do what I did and make your calls. I called a few places in OR and got a fair price for my kicker. Saved a few hundred dollars on tax as well since we were already going to Portland for a weekend trip.