I have a 2006 Gulfstream and the twin F150s are getting up there in hours. I want to replace them with engines that have better fuel economy. I plan to replace the two 150s with one F350 AND two F9.9 high thrust kickers. Why? Because I spend half my time trolling for salmon and because my slip in the marina is a tight fit. Today, I use my twin 150s to maneuver into and out of the marina. That's why I want the twin kickers. I'll straddle the big engine with the kickers - one to port and one to starboard. I think with the high thrust props on the F9.9's I should be able to spin the hull in its length.
So I'll start up the two kickers to get out of harbour and then start up the big engine, shut off the twins and go fast to the fishing grounds. Then, I'll use one of the kickers to troll with downriggers.
The big issue is (a) will the 9.9s move the hull well in tight quarters - I may decide to go to 25 HP HT kickers and (b) how to set up the helm controls to operate in two different power configurations.
I love to hear any comments about how this set-up has worked elsewhere - if it has ever been done. While it seems like the second kicker is redundant, these little guys aren't that expensive. And they can be maintained for a lot less money than F150s.
So I'll start up the two kickers to get out of harbour and then start up the big engine, shut off the twins and go fast to the fishing grounds. Then, I'll use one of the kickers to troll with downriggers.
The big issue is (a) will the 9.9s move the hull well in tight quarters - I may decide to go to 25 HP HT kickers and (b) how to set up the helm controls to operate in two different power configurations.
I love to hear any comments about how this set-up has worked elsewhere - if it has ever been done. While it seems like the second kicker is redundant, these little guys aren't that expensive. And they can be maintained for a lot less money than F150s.