trolling with a inboard

[faspflores]

I have a 1990 bayliner Capri 19' with a 3.0
My question is does anyone use a trolling plate and if so how well does it work and have you habit any problems

 

[sublauxation]

Re: trolling with a inboard

I know nothing about trolling plates but I think the Smart Tabs people also make trolling tabs. May be something to look into as people seem to love the smart tabs.

 

[faspflores]

Re: trolling with a inboard

whats a smart tab

 

[fishrdan]

Re: trolling with a inboard

I use a Troll-a-Matic on my Mercruiser 140HP, it works well and I like it since it's automatic. The only down side is low speed maneuverability, in reverse is the worst,,, you get used to it.

Manual (locking) trolling plates have this problem too when down, but when the plate is up the loss of steering is eliminated. Problem with the locking plates is, if you forget to lift the plate before powering up to get on plane, it will bend the plate, seen it before. This is why I went with the Troll-a-matic, it's not perfect, but I won't bend it either.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: trolling with a inboard

just for correctness, your boat isn't an inboard...

Its an inboard/outboard (aka, I/O). HUGE difference from an inboard. As then name suggests, you are pretty much halfway to an inboard, but still halfway connected to an outboard.

 

[JimS123]

Re: trolling with a inboard

Trolling plates just get in the way when you're not trolling. Trolling tabs are not a viable solution either, IMHO.

The 3,0 just runs too rough at trolling speeds to make any add-on worthwhile. But a retractable OB motor bracket and mount a 8-10 HP 2-stroke kicker. Add an EZ-steer and you got the best trolling outfit made. A side benefit is now you got an auxiliiary motor if the need ever arises.

 

[sublauxation]

Re: trolling with a inboard

I can't attest to the idling of a 3.0 eeither but smart tabs are made by Nauticus, they should have them and a description on Iboats or look them up on google.

 

[I Fish]

Re: trolling with a inboard

Myself and a lot of other walleye trollers on the Great Lakes use drift socks like these:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabe...t=drift+sock&WTz_l=Header;Search-All+Products

One on each side of the boat, tied off about mid ship. They work great. If you want a cheap alternative, use 5 gallon buckets, but replace the metal handle with a rope so you don't scratch up your boat. You keep your manuverability, there is nothing permanently mounted, you run a little higher RPM than just idle, smooths the bounce of waves, and on and on............

 

[fishrdan]

Re: trolling with a inboard

Rough idle might not be an issue (unless you are running a big diameter prop) since you have to bump the engine speed up over idle to get the boat moving. I tried a 14x19 prop on my rig (experiment) and with the engine idling the boat was crawling, not even close to trolling speed, to get up to trolling speed you had to bump the throttle a bit, maybe 800-1000RPM. At that RPM the engine smooths out pretty well.

I'm running a big diameter (15.5 x 19) prop on my boat and it pushes the boat along fine at idle, 600RPM. I did a lot of fine tuning to the carb to get it to idle half decent, to where the engine purrs along and doesn't buck and want to die out while trolling for long periods.

Eventually,,, I'm going to get a 14.5x19 prop for my rig as Mercury's prop selector suggests. This is low on my priority list as I'm at the proper WOT RPM right now.

 

[Bondo]

Re: trolling with a inboard

Myself and a lot of other walleye trollers on the Great Lakes use drift socks like these:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabe...t=drift+sock&WTz_l=Header;Search-All+Products

One on each side of the boat, tied off about mid ship. They work great. If you want a cheap alternative, use 5 gallon buckets, but replace the metal handle with a rope so you don't scratch up your boat. You keep your manuverability, there is nothing permanently mounted, you run a little higher RPM than just idle, smooths the bounce of waves, and on and on............

Ayuh,... I Agree,... Easy to deploy, 'n retrieve too,... Mine stow in the side-pockets, don't even untie 'em from the extra set of cleats I put on...

That 3.0l should idle for days just Fine, if it's In-tune..
If it Don't, figure out Why,... Carb, or whatever, Fix it...

 

[sublauxation]

Re: trolling with a inboard

What size drift socks do you guys use? I'm sure there's some variability depending on boat/motor size but I already own one XL that I haven't used yet and wondering if I go this route if I should buy another XL or exchange it and get two in a smaller size?

 

[Bondo]

Re: trolling with a inboard

What size drift socks do you guys use? I'm sure there's some variability depending on boat/motor size but I already own one XL that I haven't used yet and wondering if I go this route if I should buy another XL or exchange it and get two in a smaller size?

Ayuh,... I've got the Biggest I could find when I was lookin'......

My theory is I like to bump the throttle up just off idle, yet go as Slow as possible,...
Therefore, Bigger is Better....

With the combination of my Big socks, Over-sized trim tabs, 'n the 11" pitch of the Torque-shift prop at idle,....
I'm trollin' at Sub-1mph....
About 1,? / 2mph at 850/ 950/ 1000rpms...

 

[donnymac]

Re: trolling with a inboard

Trolling plates just get in the way when you're not trolling. Trolling tabs are not a viable solution either, IMHO.

The 3,0 just runs too rough at trolling speeds to make any add-on worthwhile. But a retractable OB motor bracket and mount a 8-10 HP 2-stroke kicker. Add an EZ-steer and you got the best trolling outfit made. A side benefit is now you got an auxiliiary motor if the need ever arises.

This is all true. Why put a jillion hours on your main motor? I have 200 hrs on my 8hp 4 stroke and 20 on the main motor.