Two Stroke Trolling

[zippy83]

Hi All,

Is it true that you shouldnt be trolling with a two stroke engine? I have an older 1973 50HP Mercury Thunderbolt (in great running condition) and the mechanic I took it to for service once told me that troling with a two stroke engine is not a good thing for the motor. I forgot what the reason for that was, however I see it all the time people with older 2 stroke engines trolling around for walleye and musky.

Am I safe to troll? What should I know? What should I look out for?

Thanks
Zipp

 

[dingbat]

Re: Two Stroke Trolling

No, it's not true.
I troll my 200HP 100+ hours a year with no problems. Keep the motor well tuned, run good fuel and oil (preferably semi or full synthetic) and don't worry about.

 

[hardwater fisherman]

Re: Two Stroke Trolling

i also troll alot each year, with my 40hp and my 4hp. they are both 2 strokes. the only thing is you may need to change your spark plugs more often. i change mine once per year and i also clean them a couple times during the year.

 

[boobie]

Re: Two Stroke Trolling

If you do a lot of trolling just make sure the mtr temp is coming up to spec at idle.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Two Stroke Trolling

think about the >five decades of 2-stroke trolling before they invented 4 strokes as well as all the 2 strokes still in use.

slow running a motor, large or small, leads to carbon build-up or other gunkification, easily solved by occasional runs at higher speeds.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Two Stroke Trolling

I agree, nothing wrong with trolling off a 2 stroke.

Even if it does load up a bit and start running rough,,, shifting into neutral to clear it up and then dropping it back into gear, or raising the idle to clear it up, could produce a vicious strike from a toothy critter stalking your lure.....

 

[zippy83]

Re: Two Stroke Trolling

Thanks Guys.... I will keep this in mind for the upcomming trolling days ahead.

Thanks again
Zipp

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Two Stroke Trolling

The manual for my 98 Merc warns against extended idling or running at very low RPMs for long periods of time, it says it's possible to do damage to the wrist pins, rods and bearings. I have never seen this happen, but they warn about it. Most of my two strokes troll very well, maybe not as nice as a 4 stroke, but not bad.

You also need to describe what trolling means to you, this goes for the person asking the question and the one answering it, trolling for walleye and trolling for marlin are two very different things.


Boatinfo - Mercury Service Manual for 6-8-9,9-10-15 hp

 

[zippy83]

Re: Two Stroke Trolling

Most of my trolling I do is between 3-5 mp/h. I dont troll for more then 1 hour, then I move spots so its not like I do this for 4-5 hours witout stop

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Two Stroke Trolling

ondarver, That is a new one. That makes no sense, as 2 cycle motors at idle can run on 100::1 or higher fuel/oil mixes w/o issue. Did the manual identify the reason for the damage?

 

[82rude]

Re: Two Stroke Trolling

zippy your good to go for trolling.heck when I had my 90 rude I would troll for hours and hours at a time with zero ill effects.it was a 1982 model and is still in service today .my new motor now is used the exact same way (2011 60 etec).you might want to open up the gap on the plugs a little as it will help for extended trolling.

 

[zippy83]

Re: Two Stroke Trolling

Roger that!!! Thanks guys that clears it up for me...

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Two Stroke Trolling

Don't forget that fisherman for over 100 years were trolling with 2-stroke outboards, and still do today.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Two Stroke Trolling

ondarver, That is a new one. That makes no sense, as 2 cycle motors at idle can run on 100::1 or higher fuel/oil mixes w/o issue. Did the manual identify the reason for the damage?

owner's manuals--for every consumer product--are often overly cautious in their recommendations. It sets up the "we told you so" defense if something goes wrong, whether it's really related or not. And some of the advice is at the "it's better than not" level, like it's better to keep a car in a garage than not, but it probably won't make a lot of difference in the long run.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Two Stroke Trolling

follow your hours of trolling with about a half hour blast at WOT to the next fishing spot and you will be fine. all the fishing boats in the family have 2-stroks, the oldest being a 1956 Goodyear 12hp (15hp Johnson with a smaller carb)

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Two Stroke Trolling

I troll for 10+ hours per day frequently at between 1 and 2 mph

 

[mrmamiller]

Re: Two Stroke Trolling

I troll 7 to 8 hours with my 1986 110HP Johnson @ 700 to 800 RPM. Last trip out, never touched the throttle for 7 hours, never a hickup. Use my 9.8 kicker to vary the boat speeds and leave the big motor just putting along. The run back to port on the big motor is 30 to 45 minutes, so it cleans things out for the next time. I'd use the kicker all the time, but on Lake Erie I need the big motor for the thrust when waves hit the boat.

 

[zippy83]

Re: Two Stroke Trolling

I will give it a go in a month or so... Im sure everything will go as planed

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Two Stroke Trolling

zipp I've also been told by many to never run a stainless steel prop because it will tear up the lower unit. Am now on my second boat running a SS prop and my lil brother is still running the other.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Two Stroke Trolling

Nonsense! I spend 80% my time in no-wake manatee zones using my '66 2-stroke Johnson. I'm always perplexed by the "Can I run my motor at idle and/or WOT?" questions. Where do folks get the idea that running a motor at idle and/or WOT is bad? After all your car can do both without flying to bits. I hate to say it Zippy, but you need a new mechanic. Seriously, anyone that ignorant about even the most basic operations and capabilities of the motors they work on for a living is not to be trusted. Although, I bet her really just wants to up-sell you a nice shiny new 4-stroke before the season ends