I have a 17 foot Reinell and want to get a
trolling/backup motor for it. I'm not sure what size I should get.
I'm looking at 6, 7.5, and 9.5 hp evinrudes.
I'll use it mostly for trolling for Salmon, but I'd also need it to get me back home if the 70HP main motor conked out.
Any advice greatly appreciated!

Thanks for reading!

As Charlie White once told me, "You can *never* troll too fast for salmon!"

Words to live by.

Your 17' should handle the 9.5 just fine. It's been a while since I've been in the motor market, but I'd think a new oil injected 9.5 would troll just fine!

I guess the real question to ask is what are the price to performance ratios for those motors? Do you really get your money worth by going on the theory "bigger is better" with a trolling motor?

Parker

My advice would be; go with the 9.9. I had one on my 17' Fiberform that I had years ago, and it worked pretty good. I used 2 gas tanks with it. One was 100 to 1 premix for trolling, which would keep it from loading up. The other was my main outboard's auxilliary tank, which was 50 to 1, in case I needed the kicker at full throttle. The extra power of the 9.9 got me out of a couple of tight spots, when the big motor conked, and it idled down to perfect trolling speeds.

I have a 6hp for my 18 footer, and really want something bigger. I had a gear blow in my old lower unit while shrimpin' on Hood Canal. An 11 mile run going 5 mph into the wind was as good as it got. Talk about a long run. I am sure that I could have at least pushed 10mph with my father in-laws 9.9. If you are spending $5-20 grand for a boat, get a bit more motor, you can always throttle back on the 9.9.

One other piece of advice would be to have a connector that will allow your big motor to run off of your little motor's gas tank, and to have a 2-5 gallon container of gas sealed and stored. Gas tanks can get fouled in rough weather, and clean gas can save the day.

These practices are in place on my boat at all times, cause it only takes once for me to learn a lesson.

Andy

I have a 6hp Yamaha on my 18 Tiderunner and it pushes me along just fine. If you can afford a 9.9 then go for it. If you can only afford to get a 6 for now, then I certainly would'nt stress about it because it will get the job done. My cousin runs a 6hp Johnson on his 17 Arima and I swear that it has a 1000 hrs on it without any problems. My 2 cents anyway. Jack

Another way to think about it is this.

What is the longest run you have ever made from the ramp? Now add the worst weather you have encountered while boating. What would you rather have, and just how much money would you pay to get you out of this situation?

There is a little difference between making do with what you have, and starting out from step one. I suggest taking the right first step. Go for the 9.9. I'll get mine this fall. Andy

I just put a honda four stroke 8 hp long shaft on my new 18.5 campion cuddy with controls installed for $2,600.00.This should
work just fine.If not I will change the prop
if needed.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

I have a new 2001 Merc 9.9 four stroke bigfoot w. the extra long shaft...on my 22ft Willie predator and it does very well. IMO, the 4 strokes are the only way to go.

TH www.thcustomrods.com

I personally run the 8 hp Mercury. I love it because the shifter is in the handle, and you don't have to reach to the side of the motor to shift. This would be plenty for your 17 foot boat. I run mine on a 18 footer, with plenty extra left over, and the 4 stroke would be the ultimate, but more money.
Keith