Ultimate Utah fishing boat.

[Paddler]

One thing to consider as far as number of motors go. Look at the cost of your main motor, that main outboard will be a large percentage of the overall boat cost. Depending on size of outboard you are looking at 12,000 to 30,000 for just the outboard. If you troll a lot you will put a ton of hours on your expensive main outboard. Why do that? I am on my fifth season with my boat and have only 60 hours on my main outboard(175hp). I would bet my 9.9 kicker motor easily has over 1000 hours. No reason to put thousands of hours on a 20,000 dollar motor when you can put those hours on a 3500 dollar motor. Id rather replace the kicker motor when that time comes, much cheaper. Also, max hp is the only way to go. Especially with our high elevation waters.

Agree 100%. I would have 2000 hours on my main motor, if not for my kicker. The resale value would be $0. Using a main as a kicker is hard on it, especially a 2-stroker. It carbons things up.

I replace my kicker every year, and sell off the old one for about a $200 depreciation. In this market, I've been trading up for free. Not to mention, I can troll all day on a gallon or two.

Lastly, using a main motor as a kicker does nothing well. It doesn't idle down slow enough for Kokes (under 1.5), it burns more gas, makes more noise, and costs more depreciation.

Anyways, funny to see the guy that's been stirring the pot crying in the comments for the mods to step in. The irony.

Incorrect on all counts.  My main will troll down to 550RPM (~2.0MPH) with the Troll Control option, but needs about 660RPM to keep the battery fully charged.  My drift sock system gets me down to 1.4MPH or less.  It's quieter than a kicker, sips gas, and didn't depreciate my last engine one iota.  I've covered all this above.  

I don't care so much if the moderators let things roll a bit, I can talk trash with the best.  I don't think it improves the exchange of information, though.  The only whining I've seen is the the thin-skinned dude who wanted to take a poll to see if I should be banned, despite not violating forum rules.

Boats are expensive, cost is typically an issue for many.  I think the OP should have the benefit of hearing multiple opinions before putting down his cold, hard cash.  Mine is just one, admittedly contrary to common wisdom.  But I've found that wisdom really isn't all that common.