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i just purchased a 9.9 bigfoot pro kicker for my 190 Montauk, and actually will be picking it up next weekend to use for the first time. I, like you, want the motor for safety (to get me moving if the big motor has a problem) first and foremost, but secondly, for trolling for salmon on Lake Michigan. I can let you know how it works out. Even though your boat is much bigger, it's still the same concept, remembering your not using your kicker to get you on plane but really for nothing more but to keep you moving towards home until help arrives.

On a seperate note about this topic, I found it rather odd how my Whaler dealer had no idea what I was talking about when it came to a kicker motor. Not only did they not know how to install it, they didn't even have any suggestions. Being born and raised fishing on Lake Michigan, I know the importance of having a back up motor. But again, with technology advancing like it has, it's ideal to have for safety and better trolling speed control. I had to call down to Florida and get the diagrams for the 190 MT so that I could figure out where I wanted to mount the actual kicker bracket. Of course when I called to the factory, they said you could mount the kicker bracket in back and that there was plenty of wood in the transom for support on the opposite side of my swim platform (wish the dealer would have known that!!) I guess amongst my ramblings, what I was trying to get at is are you going to need to mount a seperate bracket, or does your transom have enough room to actually mount it right next to the big motor? On my dad's 170 Montauk, he has his kicker mounted on the transom without a bracket, but his boat is a little older and was back when the transom is not as thick as it is now. On today's 170 MT, you'd need a kicker bracket as well. What's your plans if you don't mind me asking?