I've only owned one kicker, a 6hp Evinrude 2-cycle long shaft that I hung on my MacGregor 22. It gave me great service for years until it was stolen at the Oyster Point Marina in S San Francisco. For small sailboats, the British Seagull has a legendary reputation for reliability, but I'm not even sure if they make it any more. I'm sure the Japanese makers have good products, but make sure you get a motor that's matched to your boat. Small boats have specific requirements for motor, shaft and prop, and most outboards are designed for speed, not for efficiency, torque, power, towing, etc. Talk to someone you trust and contrast their advice with the salesman's. Hang out at marinas and ask owners why they like or dislike their rig. Seagoing kayaks can be very seaworthy, I've seen them negotiating Pacific coastal waters, although their load carrying capacity is rather limited.

I highly recommend the Vion Mini 2000 Compass, sailors call it the "hocky puck" and it is the perfect bearing shooter, and in a pinch can double as a steering compass. It's expensive, but once you've held it in your hands you'll realize that nothing else will do. Capt Cook would have killed for one of these.

http://celestaire.com/catalog/products/2301.html