How to Use an Outboard Kicker Motor

Instead of trading your mid-horsepower outboard in for a mega-expensive high-horsepower monster, you can supplement your engine with a kicker. The kicker is a smaller outboard, usually mounted to the left -- or port -- of the main outboard. Used when an extra "kick" of power is needed, the kicker can enhance the boat's acceleration -- its "hole shot" -- or get your boat up on plane faster than the main engine alone. Used as a trolling motor, the kicker's smaller size and horsepower give you flexibility that can't be achieved with a larger motor.

Instructions

    • 1

      Open the fuel supply valve for the kicker. Pump the kicker's primer bulb until it is firm, indicating that the priming system for the kicker is full of fuel. Visually check the kicker's fuel lines for leaks.

    • 2

      Tilt the kicker down to the neutral trim position, if it is tilted up. Because the kicker's power output is lower than that of the main outboard, it's effect on the boat's trim is minimal.

    • 3

      Start the kicker before you need it and shut it down when you don't. If you're using the kicker for the main power supply -- when fishing, for example -- tilt your main motor up, out of the water. Getting the main engine out of the water when it's unneeded prevents unnecessary drag, optimizing the kicker's solo use.