Trolling with the main outboard?
tuffy1
Posted 4/5/2005 12:27 PM (#141822)
Subject: Trolling with the main outboard?





Posts: 3242


Location: Racine, Wi
Okay, so I am getting a new boat, and I was wondering, is it good to troll with the main motor at all. It is a 115 4 stroke. Is there any bad effects to doing this? I have no idea, so any help on the pros and cons would be appreciated.
Thanks!
JohnMD
Posted 4/5/2005 12:31 PM (#141825 - in reply to #141822)
Subject: RE: Trolling with the main outboard?





Posts: 1769


Location: Algonquin, ILL
Joel, I troll mith my 90hp 4 stroke, No Smoke, No Noise, No Problems at all at times I have to look at the pee stream just to make sure it's running.

Did you sell the Sled? What's you're new toy?

mikie
Posted 4/5/2005 12:44 PM (#141831 - in reply to #141822)
Subject: RE: Trolling with the main outboard?





Location: Athens, Ohio
I hear that's one big advantage to the 4 strokes, you can run them well at slow speeds and still hear your boat partner speak. m
tuffy1
Posted 4/5/2005 12:44 PM (#141832 - in reply to #141825)
Subject: RE: Trolling with the main outboard?





Posts: 3242


Location: Racine, Wi
I'm working on selling the sled right now. The new toy is going to be a 1750 fishawk.
Is running that slow bad for the motor at all?

Edited by tuffy1 4/5/2005 12:44 PM
JohnMD
Posted 4/5/2005 12:53 PM (#141835 - in reply to #141832)
Subject: RE: Trolling with the main outboard?





Posts: 1769


Location: Algonquin, ILL
Have not had any problems with mine at all Joel, It goes from a slow troll to wide open without missing a beat, just like your car do some maintenance on a regular basis and you should be fine.

ESOX Maniac
Posted 4/5/2005 1:31 PM (#141843 - in reply to #141822)
Subject: RE: Trolling with the main outboard?





Posts: 2754


Location: Mauston, Wisconsin
tuffy1- when I'm on Dogtooth chasing trophy walleye's I troll w/ the main motor, no other choice as I've got a 88 Skeeter SF150 with a 150HP Johnson on it. Kinda hard to rig a kicker on it. It's also kinda hard on the wallet (gas bill). But I have no problem going from idle to full power. Need to have your motor tuned to idle. Carry spare set of plugs just incase! But for me not a problem- This fish was caught on a Zam at ~900 RPM's w/ 150HP Johnson, not exactly low speed trolling.... but then no one told the fish it was too fast!

Have fun!

Al


Zoom - | Zoom 100% | Zoom + | Expand / Contract | Open New window
Click to expand / contract the width of this image
(Al Walleye1.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments Al Walleye1.jpg (77KB - 147 downloads)
Bytor
Posted 4/5/2005 2:13 PM (#141850 - in reply to #141822)
Subject: RE: Trolling with the main outboard?





Location: The Yahara Chain
Trolling should not have an adverse effect on your four stroke outboard.
Guest
Posted 4/5/2005 3:09 PM (#141854 - in reply to #141822)
Subject: RE: Trolling with the main outboard?


That is all very incouraging to hear. Thanks for the input.

Now, what are your recomendations for mounting rod holders. I have a bunch of down easters, but I don't think the clamp ons will work on the Crestliner. I thought I remeber seeing a mounting system that you could remove for boats that they get mounted on the gunnels. (sp)
Esox1850
Posted 4/5/2005 4:16 PM (#141860 - in reply to #141822)
Subject: RE: Trolling with the main outboard?




I've done a little trolling with my 2 stroke Vmax 150. Been working well so far but the gas is killing me. I alternate between my electric and the main motor. I am currently looking for a kicker for the back. Liked those Yamaha T-8 but pricey.
jerkin
Posted 4/5/2005 7:00 PM (#141876 - in reply to #141822)
Subject: RE: Trolling with the main outboard?




Posts: 226


Location: W. PA.
If your motor is a yamaha it can have a negative effect trolling with it. A few of the 115 Yamahas and mercs (Yamaha powerhead) have troubles with gas getting in the oil. They call it making oil. A lot of the trouble seems to come from low speeds and the motor never getting heated up to seat the rings. I took mine back last year and they changed the thermostats, plugs, and ECU. I didn't get enough time on it to know if it is fixed or not. I'm just hoping it didn't hurt the engine. Search some of the walleye boards and iboats. you'll find a bunch of information on it there.
Scott
Luke_Chinewalker
Posted 4/5/2005 7:14 PM (#141878 - in reply to #141822)
Subject: RE: Trolling with the main outboard?





Location: Minneapolis, MN
The downside to trolling the big motor is that the hours add up fast and there is only so many hours a big motor can do before it needs to be rebuilt. The cost of burning up a 15hp kicker is much cheaper than a big motor. Of course this really only applies if you troll a lot. What is a lot? I don't know if it is accurate but I've heard people speculate that a 2stroke is good for about 700 hours of run time before it needs serious maintenance. Ten 10 hour days of trolling is 100 hours or 15% of 700.

Edited by Luke_Chinewalker 4/5/2005 7:17 PM
firstsixfeet
Posted 4/5/2005 8:13 PM (#141895 - in reply to #141822)
Subject: RE: Trolling with the main outboard?




Posts: 2361


Maybe I am confused but I believe your engine hours are figured at a higher Rpm, not idling speed.