Using a small outboard "kicker"

[lwhssh]

I've got a 23' boat with a 225 outboard. I've seen kickers on boats like mine and I am questioning if one would really get you home in an emergency. If my 225 quit 10 miles off shore would a kicker get me home? HP needed?
Anybody know or have experience?

[Hotrod]

In My opinion the kicker went bye bye to get you home since the inception of sea tow and boat us.  If I'm 10 miles out I'd rather know I can be towed in than worry about my kicker getting me home.  For about 110$ a year, The piece of mind more than out weighs a kicker  

A lot of these 23-28' boats you see use their kicker for trolling.

[hareball]

sea tow and a sea anchor.

[Hotrod]

Yea Bob.  The sea anchor is a must as it will keep your bow into the current as you await your ride home

[mboy]

The only problem being that far out is waiting for sea tow to come out to get you.

If your engione dies 10 miles out, you qain't getting home for a long time.

Altho a kicker will get you back slowly, it ain't as slow as waiting for sea tow, then getting towed back.

[Luna Sea 5]

In My opinion the kicker went bye bye to get you home since the inception of sea tow and boat us.  If I'm 10 miles out I'd rather know I can be towed in than worry about my kicker getting me home.  For about 110$ a year, The piece of mind more than out weighs a kicker  

A lot of these 23-28' boats you see use their kicker for trolling.

exactly.. that is why you don't see many anymore

[Capt. Mike]

A kicker seems like an expensive insurance policy. Probably a 3knot ride in at best. Looking at 4 hour slow journey for all that added weight expense and drag. You will burn extra fuel with added weight, and probably have a weight in balance causing a constant list, inturn will eat up more fuel, especially when corrected with trim tabs. My opinion, Sea Tow or tow boat us, and put your money into a real sea anchor not a drift sock. The sea anchor is a great emergency piece of gear also know as a storm anchor.

[Pops Soul]

In My opinion the kicker went bye bye to get you home since the inception of sea tow and boat us.  If I'm 10 miles out I'd rather know I can be towed in than worry about my kicker getting me home.  For about 110$ a year, The piece of mind more than out weighs a kicker  

A lot of these 23-28' boats you see use their kicker for trolling.

[lwhssh]

I have Sea Tow, But I think on a Saturday in August I could probably swim in faster than it would take Sea Tow to come and get me. What would be an appropriate HP. 9.9? 25?