Trolling questions

[fishrdan]

Re: Trolling questions

Thanks ondarvr!

I don't have problems dialing down the speed on my I/O, though it's not turning a V8 ratio in the drive. You are right that a small OB that can only go 0-5MPH, has more finite speed adjustement, compared to an I/O that can go 0-40+MPH. Good point.

I can completely understand your thinking, for using a small outboard/kicker. I've probably put 10x the maintenance time and money in my I/O, as opposed to the little 7.5 OB on my jon boat. Though, I have to spend about 90% of that anyway, just to maintain the I/O.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Trolling questions

I think a small outboard for a "kicker" is a total waste on a boat under 20'. You can troll with the main; you don't go where you have to have a back-up motor (that's just paranoid), it's a waste of space, weight and money. He mentioned going in the ocean--if you do, you don't use an electric to troll, you use the main.

Drift socks, trolling backwards, using current and wind, that's how the skilled boater does it.

As a spare motor for back-up, they realistically don't get used enough and then have their own maintenance issues. better to maintain the main.

As far as saving gas $$, you will never recoup the cost of a decent OB and the rigging unless you put in hundreds of hours--so if you already have a small motor lying around, fine, but don't go buy one to save money.

Two exceptions: those who boat in remote areas where back-up is crucial, and serious fishermen who troll all the time, as opposed to occasionally, as is typical for the general boater.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Trolling questions

The kicker...9.9 is ....ONLY GOOD.... in calm wind & current. Fish the St. Lawrence River & Lake Ontario with me.
My 18.5' bow rider needs a screaming 9.9 to hold different courses & at 15 mph of wind & 5 mph of current.

The 9.9 was helpless when my buddie was in the WOT 9.9 & I was being towed by it in normal open water conditions.
I realizied that a much bigger trolling motor was needed. The Chaparral is a lot of high sided area & 3500# wants to go where the wind & current is headed.
Do some simple towing tests in the conditions you expect the kicker to handle.

When there are 1 to 2' waves on a sunny day. I catch more fish by letting the wind push either boat along.

Rich

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Trolling questions

People seem to be hooked on the idea that whatever works in their part of the world, or for the particular fish they pursue, is what should be used everywhere.

I have spent time in Prince George and fished the lakes, rivers and salt water (the salt is a ways away). An electric would work for some of it, but a small kicker would cover it all very well. As for not having some kind of back up motor…..well, depending on where you fish in this part of Canada, there may be no other people around for many miles, no cell phone service, no Sea Tow, nobody to call on the SS radio. If you can’t get yourself back to the launch then you had better plan on living in the boat until you are reported missing and somebody comes looking for you.

 

[impatico]

Re: Trolling questions

People seem to be hooked on the idea that whatever works in their part of the world, or for the particular fish they pursue, is what should be used everywhere.

I have spent time in Prince George and fished the lakes, rivers and salt water (the salt is a ways away). An electric would work for some of it, but a small kicker would cover it all very well. As for not having some kind of back up motor…..well, depending on where you fish in this part of Canada, there may be no other people around for many miles, no cell phone service, no Sea Tow, nobody to call on the SS radio. If you can’t get yourself back to the launch then you had better plan on living in the boat until you are reported missing and somebody comes looking for you.

that is true, there is only 1 lake I've fished on so far with cell service, and I am not putting a VHF radio in my boat, and some of them are very remote and don't have many boats on them.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Trolling questions

Ayuh,... You have an Outboard, the OP has an I/O...

The I/O motor could care less if it's idlin' all day,... or not...

Beg to differ with you. The I/O might not be able to idle down low enough for a 1.5-2.0 troll speed. Had one and had to use drift sock off the rear to slow speed down or troll against the current. Then it tended to get in the way of downrigger lines.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Trolling questions

Beg to differ with you. The I/O might not be able to idle down low enough for a 1.5-2.0 troll speed. Had one and had to use drift sock off the rear to slow speed down or troll against the current. Then it tended to get in the way of downrigger lines.

He was referring to mucking up the motor, which is a potential major problem with carbed 2-strokes.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Trolling questions

He was referring to mucking up the motor, which is a potential major problem with carbed 2-strokes.

If you run a good quality, full synthetic/ synthetic blended oil and keep the motor tuned it's simply not an issue. I have far fewer problems trolling a 200HP outboard than I did with the I/O when running extended periods at idle in cold water.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Trolling questions

I'm going to guess your 200 has oil injection, dingbat. I was thinking of cruder motors like the one on my boat that run a fixed 50:1 ratio.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Trolling questions

I'm going to guess your 200 has oil injection, dingbat. I was thinking of cruder motors like the one on my boat that run a fixed 50:1 ratio.

Yes, it's injected but I’m running an OMS system so I don’t see where that would make a difference over premix.

The big issue is the oil. You can't run "dirty" oil in them and expect to run hours on end at idle. I ran a gallon of oil X last spring and I had an oily white goo (unburnt oil) running out the exhaust ports and down the leg by the end of the day. I never had that problem running synthetics or synthetic blends.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Trolling questions

Think I'll try some synthetic oil this year, then!