Posts: 692
Location: Pelican Rapids, MN | Big motors are not recommended to troll with all. Even the Mercs with the RPM control are not built to troll with. That is why kickers are on so many boats now, even on models that are equipped with motors under 200. The new outboards are built to run, not to cruise. Too many hours at low RPM's can cause the engine to spit and sputter - Hard start -or not start at all, due to fouling of plugs and carbon build up in the motor.
Of course there are people out there that will claim that they have been trolling with their 250 for fifteen years and never had a problem. But many of the new higher performance models are meant to spend most of their running time over 3000 rpm's, and when they are primarily used for low rpm trolling they gum up and problems occur quicker.
In rougher water the kicker can pop in and out of the water, usually as a result of the Kicker being mounted too high. I think kickers are a pain, but if you like to troll and your motor is High Performance or over 140 the pain will most likely have to be necessary.
Jerry Sondag
Headshaker Guide Service |
