Off Topic Kicker Size for Erie

[Scotts]

If your planning on pickerel fishing I’d be more concerned with going out 10-15 miles with a 16.5’ boat. A kicker is never a bad idea though.
For a point of reference for you I have a 9.9hp 2 stroke long shaft mounted on my transom of a starcraft 180 SFM. It will push that boat 5.3mph max.

I agree, had to use the 3.5 all the way in from the Nanticoke Shoal after my Merc 115 Optimax packed it in. I was a very long trip.