Kicker for a late model LUND SSV-18

Background: I have a lund SSV-18 (or 16...can't remember...sheesh) from 1990, and its a great workhorse for a bare bones aluminum boat. Wood seats, no floors, just essentials. I have a 30HP yamaha tiller on it that does it justice for power. I plan to use it for downrigging again and trolling in general a little more often.

Question: What do you think would be the minimum horsepower motor for a kicker engine while downrigging? I want something that would be big enough to push the boat at an average trolling or rigging speed without the noise of high RPMs screaming in my ear. I need to balance power with size and weight because its not a big boat so transom space is limited, and i'm often alone while fishing. I was thinking a yamaha 2.5 HP or 4HP long shaft (2 or 4 stroke) would be best to use for this. I dont have a really good sense of their sizes but smaller is better. It would be great if I could also put it on the scanoe later or haul it through the bush for small lakes.

Any advice out there? Experience with this? I would feel better having a back-up motor on the bigger water too.

Thanks

I had a 2hp that worked ok but I really wished it had neutral. The newer 4 strokes all seem to be a little big for a canoe.....I find a medium size electric works fine for my back lake trips, but I get there by bike..
what big lakes do you plan to fish in the Huntsville area? Maybe just find a used 5hp for a kicker. and an electric...

This is my setup and it works well for me......16 ft Alumacraft with a 40 HP E-tec at the rear,and a 55 lb. thrust Minn Kota bow mount the bow mount has 2 batteries for all weekend trolling...max. trolling speed is about 3 MPH....I don't use the E-tec for trolling as I've propped it up for higher topend speed Thump

I never thought of an electric motor for downrigging. I figured the batteries would long be dead if planning a full day on the water. My 40lb thrust is a stern mount and its awkward to keep a straight path with it. On Lake Ontario I always used the 30HP at low rpms but thats probably hard on the engine near idling point all the time. Nice setup Thumperrr. Electric motor works for you all day, Pat32 & thumperrr?

If a gas engine it would need to be a small 5HP to fit on the transom. I want to fish Lake of Bays, Skeleton, Joseph, Rosseau, Muskoka. Since the chaeging system for the 30hp's alternator would complicate my tinny bom-proof boat, I'm inclined to go with gas.

So I guess my question remains whether a 2.5hp would push my setup...

On your 16-18 ft aluminum in anything over a light breeze control from the back is somewhat difficult,as it pushes the bow around...I learned early on with an 11 lb. thrust bow mount pulling a boat through the water is the way to go,they just track better....a nice 5 HP or up may serve you well...I have a 2.5 HP Merc and it's fun trying to fill it in a white cap water environment. lol

FYI, it's an SSV-16.
I found this good write up on "what to expect" for choosing an outboard, that easily applies to picking a kicker engine for trolling. Looks like 4HP is the way to go, and I get your point about the shaking/vibration.

http://www.onlineoutboards.com/Choos...-Outboard.html

Thanks