How slow can you go with a 35 hp 4-stroke?

[jusdecul]

I presently have a 40 yam 2-stroke and there is no way I could use this to troll. I've been told that 4-strokes idle very slow... so slow in fact that you could troll ???<br /><br />I'd understand maybe with the HONDA BF-20 but when you start getting up there in the 30s plus, wouldn't the gear ratio and prop be more inclined for speed?<br /><br />Here's where i'm at. Either a light Princecraft Starfish regular utility boat (300 lbs) with a BF-20, or the DLX model (500 lbs) that requires more HP 30-40. If i have to go to the DLX and a larger engine to move the boat, I feel i'll need a second trolling motor... makes sence? I don't want a second motor. I'd prefer the DLX with a 25 but I've been told that that would not be enough to move the boat. Please someone tell me that 25 is enough to get around!!!!<br /><br />Still, considering, these are nice problems to have...

 

[Oil Man]

Re: How slow can you go with a 35 hp 4-stroke?

PCET,<br /><br />How slow do you want to troll?<br />I have a Honda 9.9 and it trolls my 18.5 Aluminum at about 1.8 - 2.0 MPH, but that is too fast for me in some situations (I walleye fish). I have a friend who trolls his 50HP Merc on a light boat down in the low 2's but when he wants to go slow he drops a bucket or drift sock. Your yammy two-stroke should have you in the mid 2's.<br /><br />Dave

 

[jusdecul]

Re: How slow can you go with a 35 hp 4-stroke?

I don't know in mph cause I‘ve never had a gage to tell me... but I‘m also fishing walley. I know in some instances I can only use an electric on low and the boat barely moves, I‘d have a tendency to think I wanna go from .5 to 1.5 mph.

 

[Oil Man]

Re: How slow can you go with a 35 hp 4-stroke?

PCET,<br /><br />I do the same (electric) when I want to go real slow. Sometimes I throw out a drift sock tied at the bow eye if I run the kicker.<br />It'll be hard to get any gasoline powered motor to troll down less than 1 mph without some kind of drag on the boat.<br /><br />Dave

 

[DJ]

Re: How slow can you go with a 35 hp 4-stroke?

PCET,<br /><br />Just throw out a drift sock (sea anchor). Even dragging a five gallon bucket will slow you considerably.

 

[Forktail]

Re: How slow can you go with a 35 hp 4-stroke?

Yep. I think you're asking too much out of those sized gasoline powered outboards on those boats. However, you can slow them down a lot by turning the idle down as far as you can stand it and using a troll plate.<br /><br />FYI, I have a 40 hp 2-stroke Yamaha that trolls my 18' all day long at 1.2 to 1.8 mph. I have a 50 hp 4-stroke that goes even slower, but it's on a 20'er.

 

[manitoba1]

Re: How slow can you go with a 35 hp 4-stroke?

I troll regularly with a 70hp 4 stroke suzuki (17pitch prop) on a 16 ft alumacraft classic 16. It will go all day without missing a beat. If I have to slow it to a crawl I can backtroll or use my electric.