Posts: 3469
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hiya,
I honestly think you couldn't go wrong with either boat, but saving a couple of grand that you can put toward some nice electronics/bowmount is a nice little chunk of money to have...
The Yamaha should be able to troll down really well given if my memory serves me correctly, to just over 600 rpms. With the boat being close to 1200 pounds, and once full of gear, fuel, etc closer to 1800 pounds, I bet you will get close to 2mph trolling forward..if into the wind...there is a good possibility you could be below 2mph...
When idling in gear, slip can be fairly high...so I think you will get close to your desired trolling speed with the big motor....
I am also one who always looks at safety as well, so if it is in your budget, getting an 8hp kicker would be a nice addition to the rig. This would definitely give you the ability to get down to under 1mph trolling. But in my humble opinion...it is a great thing to have if for any reason the big motor goes down and you are out in the middle of the lake... The little motor will get you off the water safely.... or...if you are fishing in an area that has shipping channels...out of the way of being clobbered by a freighter.
I've seen it many many times on canadian trips where someone tags a rock and takes out their big motor...some 20 - 30 miles from where they put in. Long drive back to the trailer, but at least you get there...
Steve |
