Posts: 3513
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hiya,
To slow that boat down significantly, a prop change will be a hard pressed to take off a mph or so. A drop in pitch from 17 to 15 will do little to that, and even a 13 or 11 pitch would not do too much to it.
The trim tab idea that reef hawg mentions sounds like an option since the tabs would be acting as a brake in the water and would be below the bottom of the boat hull at trolling speed. While at speed, they would come up due to the pressure of the water going across them, and would keep your bow down nicely...not a bad option here...
A drift sock or bucket would work well too, although I can see where some might be a little skeptical in doing this since there is some line over the boat and potential for tangle in the motor (depending on where you place the sock or bucket)
The trolling plates do work so long as your are forward trolling. As soon as you try to back troll, handling becomes a huge issue.
My only other thought would be is how about a kicker motor? Yes..a little more money, but it can be seen as money well spent since if the big motor goes down, you have a way off the lake. Plus, you can then more accurately dial in your trolling speed, and if you wish, use a connecting rod to the big motor and steer from the console (if console equipped) or just with the tiller handle of the big motor.
A good 6hp or 8hp would do well on that rig...one with big ears. I have a Johnson 8hp with a solas 4 blade prop in 5 pitch...with it, I am able to get under 2mph with the big motor down.
Steve |
