Posts: 433
Location: Cedarburg, Wisconsin | Why would you think a 200HP couldn't troll as well as a 150? I've got a 200HO E-TEC that trolls much better than my old 150HP ever could and that was a good trolling big motor. I still use a kicker some times for musky though because if I make a bad mistake and hit rocks, it's a lot cheaper fixing the 9.9's aluminum prop than a customized stainless prop. If I were to only fish non rock situations I'd have no second thoughts about trolling with the 200. From what I've seen the 200 uses practically the same amount of gas at idle as the 9.9 does at half throttle for the same speed of around 2.5mph. By the time the 9.9 is running WOT to hit a little over 5mph the 200 probably has the advantage.
BUT! Two motors makes for a safe trip on big waters, and the kicker is a must for slower trolling speeds than 2.5 mph. You never know when a motor will die on you. Ignition parts can go out, fuel lines can get clogged or fuel pumps can fail. I've had motors die on me 4 times in the last 30 years and it ain't fun without a kicker to get you back home.
If you can afford it and don't max the HP your boat can handle you will be sorry. I know from experience.
Edited by Almost-B-Good 3/7/2010 9:47 AM
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