erikgreen
Captain
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2007
- Messages
- 3,105
Guys -
I drive my 21 foot boat with a 350 engine and pre-alpha drive up on lake superior for purposes of running a side scan sonar (well, most of the time).
This last weekend I found out that one reason I'm getting so-so quality sonar images is that the towfish is too high in the water. With a 200 foot scope it's only about 25 feet down at 4 miles per hour. I can't add more weight or a deflector wing to it, the manufacturer says the cable won't take it. He said I'm driving too fast.
So I have two questions:
1) How will driving at 650 rpm idle for extended periods (3-4 hours at a time) affect my engine? Should I put some sea foam through it each month or something, or is using it this way ok?
2) Can anyone think of a way to go slower with this engine? I've had trolling plates and sea anchors suggested, and the sonar guy said to get a kicker motor or trolling motor.
My speed with a 13 pitch prop is about 4 mph at idle, a bit less into the wind.... and that's too fast :\
Erik
I drive my 21 foot boat with a 350 engine and pre-alpha drive up on lake superior for purposes of running a side scan sonar (well, most of the time).
This last weekend I found out that one reason I'm getting so-so quality sonar images is that the towfish is too high in the water. With a 200 foot scope it's only about 25 feet down at 4 miles per hour. I can't add more weight or a deflector wing to it, the manufacturer says the cable won't take it. He said I'm driving too fast.
So I have two questions:
1) How will driving at 650 rpm idle for extended periods (3-4 hours at a time) affect my engine? Should I put some sea foam through it each month or something, or is using it this way ok?
2) Can anyone think of a way to go slower with this engine? I've had trolling plates and sea anchors suggested, and the sonar guy said to get a kicker motor or trolling motor.
My speed with a 13 pitch prop is about 4 mph at idle, a bit less into the wind.... and that's too fast :\
Erik