Just bought a 1985 28' Bayliner (2850 Contessa Command Bridge) single engine I/O and I will want to put a kicker on it for fishing. So far, everyone has told me that only Yamaha make a 25" high output kicker worth considering - the T9.9. But at least one person has said the T9.9 can have a tough time pushing a 28' into the wind. The only other recommendation I've gotten could be to go up to the Yamaha T25 high output with the extender kit to make it a 25" shaft - it's heavy and expensive but perhaps worth considering. They say the Honda's aren't really high output. I know Evinrude makes a high output 15 hp but that's very heavy and expensive as well.

Will I be happy with the T9.9? Or do I bite the bullet and go up to the T25 or are there any other good options?

As long as I'm asking for free advice, any other suggestions? I'll be getting electric start, power tilt, remote throttle (in the aft deck) and hopefully remote throttle/steering like the TrollMaster Pro / Panther ElectroSteer. I might get the swim step cut down to mount the kicker direct on the transom. One consideration is how the kicker would work as a backup in case the big engine craps out.

solid advice Chuck...

Everything Chuck S said and, if you haven't already, make sure everything is solid/tight from the transom to the swim step so you know it can handle the kicker.

Fishing down wind on a breezy day I would expect that the 9.9 would not be able to drive the boat strongly enough to make a turn into the wind. What one ends up doing is crabbing but still losing ground toward the nearest shoreline. A mere inconvenience if the main is working, otherwise not so good. Voice of experience on that issue; go with the bigger motor!

I've got a T9.9 on a 26' Duckworth Offshore. It's breezy more often than not on the ocean. The 9.9 works fine at Westport,Neah Bay etc. No issues whatsoever.

The OP's boat is, I believe, 27 feet long with a 10 foot beam. That and being glass with the Command Bridge makes it a lot more boat both in terms of weight and wind sail effect. Glad yours works for you.

Mine is 28'6" not counting outboards or pulpit. Overall length is 32'. Weight is 7000+ and the pilothouse adds plenty of sail. It's more comparable than you want to believe.

A 25 won't get him home any faster. It'll cost more,weigh more and burn more fuel though.

Just hang one of those Yami 350s off the back and call it a day.

Strike that, you might need two. Better safe than sorry.

You can put a high thrust prop on any outboard. Just FYI.

the devil is in the details. I had an 8hp before it was ripped from my transome. Watch out whatever you decide on.

That bayliner 2850 is like a drunk fat guy with a weight belt on in the water compared to the Duckworth, way more draft than 26/28? ft Duckworth. Hell, who even wants to run back from Blue Dot on a 25HP...Ha. 9.9 could POSSIBLY troll that boat, but wouldn't want to rely on that on a bad day to get home. Wouldn't even consider it. Tom

I have a T9.9 on my 1993 Trophy 2502. Its a big boat for a 25' with a 9'6 beam, and the forerunner of the 28' Trophy. It works well on that boat but is right at the limit. In wind it can betough to hold course.

I bought a 32 Proline and had the T25 installed. It is nothing short of awesome. Pushes that big boat very easy. I have it direct tied into the twin 300 Suzukis. Between the T25 and twin 300s it holds course trolling in a 20 MPH sidewind. I can troll /push straight into 3-5' windchop. They do make a Macs propsaver that fits it too.

The T 25 on my boat acts like a T9.9 on a 20' boat. I cannot recommend it enough. I read how the T25 will not push the boat any faster than a 9.9 physicswise. Well thats BS. It does! I knew that my 9.9 was at max on my other boat. Guys in the San Juans install dual 9.9s on their boats. The T25s are coming on strong in the 30' market.

Very helpful advice. Thanks to everyone for sharing your experience. Not completely sure which way I'll end up going, but at least I'll go with my eyes open. Thanks!

Your quality of life on the water will be much much better with a 15 or 25. If you get the 9.9 you'll end up trolling with your main on windy days and if you plan to go offshore any distance you'll want the extra HP as a backup.