Best deal on a kicker at the boat show?

[FishBio]

Anyone have any advice how to get the best deal on a kicker at the Seattle boat show at the end of the month? 

[Hunter]

Just my personal opinion if I was in the market for a kicker only, I'd most definitely be going with an EFI Suzuki 9.9....   Great motors and you can buy a fully loaded long-shaft with power tilt, electric start AND throttle and shifter controls and cable all for under $3K out the door delivered to your driveway.    If you don't need all the bells and whistles then the price just keeps going down from there.  I would have powered all Suzi when I bought the tin can but it wasn't a reasonable option.

Also, I would strongly suggest buying / installing a fixed kicker bracket... (Arima has a great option that is designed for the sponson angles) so you can just plumb the fuel line right into your main fuel tank and operate everything from the either the helm or maybe another location near the dance floor.   Install a tie-bar between your main and kicker and you're in business.

I made the decision to place my kicker controls on the floor up at the main helm and I literally do not have to leave my seat to lower my kicker, fire it up..... then shut down and raise my main and I'm in business.   I always use my kicker (with the prop guard) when making shore landings so the helm location is great for that. 

Here's the link for a great deal on kickers.   Free Shipping to lower 48 and No Sales tax (unless you live in Tennessee).   At a minimum, if you are set on buying at the Seattle boat-show I would print out this online deal and bring it with you and ask them to match...or at least come close.

https://onlineoutboards.com/collections/suzuki-9-9-hp-outboards/products/suzuki-9-9-hp-df9-9btx2-outboard-motor

Also some pics of my kicker controls location and install....

[Salty Dangler]

X2 on the Suzi. I got a fully loaded EFI 9.9 last year for 2700 and change, out the door. I love that little motor, and I'll probably replace my main with a Suzuki when the time comes.

[Fishgriller]

Manufacturers often have rebates/credits or some other incentives during the boat show season, check their websites prior to going.  Some dealers will also run specials in addition to the manufacturers deals.  At last year's Seattle boat show Yamaha had dealer credit with some dealers matching the credit for double the discount.

[Markshoreline]

I'm a Yamaha guy but having EFI for the same price would cause me to choose the Suzuki.  My carbed Yamaha 9.9 has never had a fuel issue perhaps because it's fuel runs through a Racor water separating filter, I use ethanol free fuel and add Stabil 360 to every tank of fuel.

[ohmytodd]

@Hunter, do you find that the factory remote gives you enough control to maintain trolling speed without something like a tr1, trollmaster or itroll? I really like this idea but I've avoided it in case it would be hard to dial in a proper slow thump when trolling 360's and such. I want to do a tr1, but I'm trying to extend my boat bucks a wee bit. This could be an interesting interim solution and good overall upgrade since I like the idea of being able to shift the kicker from the helm.

[Hunter]

@Hunter, do you find that the factory remote gives you enough control to maintain trolling speed without something like a tr1, trollmaster or itroll? I really like this idea but I've avoided it in case it would be hard to dial in a proper slow thump when trolling 360's and such. I want to do a tr1, but I'm trying to extend my boat bucks a wee bit. This could be an interesting interim solution and good overall upgrade since I like the idea of being able to shift the kicker from the helm.

Yes.... the factory controls up at the helm allow me to maintain speeds from .5 to 4.0 knot's with no issue and with the tie bar  I can steer just as if on the main.   PS....  when on the troll, I keep the main in the down position. 

[headduck]

I found a decent price during boat show time from a marina who wasnt selling at the show...keep a look out in craigslist at the same time and you could do well.

Fixed bracket is a great idea. Efi would save near annual ethanol related carb issues.

[Dbobby23]

 Auburn Sports at the Puyallup sportsman show usually has killer sales going on. Might be worth a visit. If you are a gear hoarder like me the Puyallup is a must go just to check out the other booths.

[Hydroman]

Being a WA resident, I would buy it in OR, automatic saving between $250-$300.

Jim

[Omega3]

Being a WA resident, I would buy it in OR, automatic saving between $250-$300.

Jim

That is assuming Oregon has a kicker for $250 to $300 less than the price in WA.When I bought my new kicker 2 years ago I paid less with tax in WA and only had to drive 20 miles.

[sunnydude2]

I'm hoping there are deals to be had on the 4-6hp kickers for my Hunter.  Always love when the wife green lights me to purchase at the show instead of just looking.  :)

[Yachter Yat]

   Oftentimes, manufacturers offer some fairly substantial incentives, in and around the boat show season.  As an example:  I bought my new Honda 60 in Feb. of 2016.  I was going to buy the new motor, no matter what, but you can imagine how pleasantly surprised I was when the dealer informed me, Honda cleanly deducted $1000.00, off of my negotiated price, in honor of their show promotion that year.  So.....keep an eye out.......make some calls.......do whatever you have to do. 


Yat

[ohmytodd]

I'm hoping there are deals to be had on the 4-6hp kickers for my Hunter.  Always love when the wife green lights me to purchase at the show instead of just looking.  :)

Don't discount the possibility of an 8hp. The difference in vibration from a single to two cylinder is night and day and an 8hp will troll your hunter down just fine. I had a 5hp originally and switching out to an 8 was a great upgrade.

[La-Z-Buoy]

I'm hoping there are deals to be had on the 4-6hp kickers for my Hunter.  Always love when the wife green lights me to purchase at the show instead of just looking.  :)

What main do you have on your Hunter? On my Hunter I had a 40 Yamaha 4stroke with a trolling plate. Worked like a champ.

[sunnydude2]

What main do you have on your Hunter? On my Hunter I had a 40 Yamaha 4stroke with a trolling plate. Worked like a champ.

I have an 88 Merc 80 2 stroke.  New main not in the cards and the smoke is killing me.

[La-Z-Buoy]

What main do you have on your Hunter? On my Hunter I had a 40 Yamaha 4stroke with a trolling plate. Worked like a champ.

I have an 88 Merc 80 2 stroke.  New main not in the cards and the smoke is killing me.

I feel for you. I had a 120 Johnson VRO on my 17 for a while. Great running motor but embarrassed the spouse so much at the boat ramp on startup that I had her whole hearted blessing to upgrade to 4 stroke. Found a reasonably priced Honda and everybody was happy.

[sunnydude2]

Planned to find the best deal on a kicker at the boat show but when browsing facebook marketplace I came across a 2013 5hp Mercury LS with 10 hours which came into my possession yesterday.  :)  That freed up additional boat funds for later.

[GregE]

Way to watch and win

[tsuribaka]

Tohatsu also has an EFI 9.9 on the market now

[tsuribaka]

I currently have remote throttle/shift with EZ-Steer but am thinking about swapping over to a tiller kicker with i-Troll or ProTroll and a steering connection at the front of the motor like DevMah described in this thread: http://www.arimaowners.com/index.php?topic=16312.0. Then normally I will be able to do everything but shift from the helm and I'll be able to easily switch over to control at the back when needed for example on a solo trip.

I'm guessing everyone weighs this trade-off at one point or another. I'm curious to hear how others reached their choices and if there are any creative solutions out there I haven't thought of.