Home Forums Fishing Freshwater 19' Drift Boat

I'm getting a 19' db from Fishcraft and was wondering if any of you guys have one, and if so what size kicker are you running on it? I'm leaning towards a 15hp, but guys are telling me it is to much motor for a db, (all were refrenced to a 16' db). Your opinions are much appreciated! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/help.gif" alt="" />

Most Drift Boats do not do well with a kicker to much rocker and narrow stern. I have seen some on the Kenai wallowing
upstream. Some have had a little success with the Dole Fin
type of products. Clackacraft used to build a Roberts style wide stern that was made to use with a motor.

Are you on ifish too?

I have a willie 17x54 and have run an 8hp and a 6hp kicker on it. I cant tell a difference. The boat reaches max speed before full throttle so it doesnt matter. The 9.9 or 8hp would be all you need in my opinion. I the big guides DB running the 8 hp. For a almost new kicker i would get the 8hp merc two stroke. The newer 6 hps are only one cylinder or I would say go with a 6. Actually it would have to be year old since they stopped making 2 stroke kickers in 2005. The mercs are good for driftboats because of the shift in the handle and the shallow water ratchet system. four strokes suck for trolling, the low speed throttle response is terrible. I didnt think it was that big of a deal until i started using a 2004 8hp 4 stroke to backtroll with. Now I have another two stroke on the boat again. Just my .02 <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

SeanD: yes I'm a IFISHER <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />, thanks for the advice. I have posted this question on a few different forums and not one person has responded that actualy owns a 19' or 20', sure would like to hear from the guys that actualy own one, I know they are out there!!!!!!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/help.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/help.gif" alt="" />