New owner questions - trimming/trolling and fuel stabilizer

brandhr

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Apr 19, 2009
Messages
37
Hello,

I recently acquired a 2000 Triton 189 with a 2000 175 horse 2 stroke Honda V-max. The boat has a bow mounted trolling motor. The guy I bought it from said I should always have the motor trimmed all the way down while trolling. This seems like a recipe for getting fishing line tangled in the prop and potentially dinging it on the bottom of the lake. Wondering if there is any reason why I shouldn’t troll with the motor trimmed up?

Also, he said I should only use Stabil and Sea Foam prior to storing it for the winter. I will probably run the boat about once or twice a week and primarily use the trolling motor so I think a tank of fuel (along with the auxiliary tank) could last me quite a while. I have used Sea Foam or Stabil 100% of the time in my previous small outboards and wondering if there is a valid reason why I shouldn’t use it in every tank with this boat? Also, the guy said to use both Stabil and Seafoam prior to storing. I have always used one or the other— is it necessary to use both?

Thanks very much.
 

roffey

Commander
Joined
Nov 22, 2012
Messages
2,206
I cant speak to the trim on the motor but I think your right in trimming it up. When I fish I like to go into the dead head bays and just drift in as I have to trolling motor.. As to the gas, you will be surprised how fast a boat can go through a tank of gas. I have a 30 gal. tank and can easily go through it in a afternoon if I am pushing it.
 

JASinIL2006

Vice Admiral
Joined
Feb 10, 2012
Messages
5,673
The only problem with using Seafoam and Stabil 100% of the time is that you're wasting your money. It might be helpful to use Stabil for winter layups (even that is up for debate), but using them all the time is just burning your money.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
49,538
you keep the main motor trimmed down to add drag to the back so that the boat goes where you need it to go when you use the trolling motor.

just like towing a boat. you need the towed boat to have the drive down to stabilize it or it simply wanders all over the place

regarding stabil and seafoam, agree with above. not needed.
 
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