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Posts: 1037
| Last year I got a great deal on a 188 VS muskie package Ranger Boat. Boat has a 24 volt trolling motor system and currently has the cable drive trolling motor. 80 pounds of thrust I believe. Engine is a 150 Optimax.
Here's my dilemma, I'm on Pewaukee lake and primarily cast. But, I do want to troll a little bit. I'm reluctant to do this with the Optimax. I'm considering getting a Minn Kota engine mount trolling system, but am open to other ideas.
Some have said that I should just use the Opti. Others have said that the engine mount engine is good. Another option that was given is that I should go to the iPilot Minn Kota, upgrade it to the 101 thrust 36 volt system and troll with that.
What are your thoughts? I cannot get a kicker on this boat, I've only found one place that said they could do it, but everyone else says that it would hurt the performance of the boat because it isn't designed for a kicker. The engine mount seems interesting, but I need to know that it will get the boat up to 2.5 to 3 mph. Might the new bow mount iPilot do the same thing?
Thanks in advance for your advice.
Geoff |
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Location: Hayward WI | I'd just troll with the Opti, why are you reluctant to just use it? Unless your trolling for days straight every year, what's a dozen more hours on the motor? If you plan on trolling alot, then mabye the investment of the engine mount motor might be worth it, but just use what ya got now. I troll with my 150 on an 1850 FishHawk and will run 2.5-3mph at idle. |
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Posts: 358
Location: London, England | Trolling at musky speeds will soon kill any battery powered system. Use the Opti. |
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Posts: 110
Location: NEW LENOX IL | If you troll with the opti I would suggest running mercs quickleen in your fuel if you don't use it already. This should help keep carbon buildup to a minimum . |
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Posts: 1037
| Thanks everyone for giving your opinion! It is appreciated. And please, keep 'em coming.
I don't use Mercury's QuickCleen product, so I'll go out and get some. I am worried about that carbon buildup, but that seems better than dropping a lot of money on an electric trolling system.
Has anyone ever used the smart guage on an Optimax 150? Can it reduce the RPM's and make the boat move even slower? Should that be something that I look into? |
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Posts: 115
Location: Birch Run | I would think about installing a trolling plate, for slower speeds your motor will run more rpm's instead of just barely idling in gear, which I would think is better for that motor. |
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Posts: 422
| +1 for just using the opti!!!!
Craig |
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Posts: 3504
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hiya,
Looking at the boat itself I would tend to agree that to try and put a mounting system on the boat for a kicker would be hard to do, but I think it could be done. Performance would be hindered just a touch, but I would not think you would be looking to put anything larger than an 8 hp motor on there.
I would consider just how much trolling you are planning to do and let that determine your next move. If the trolling is not a huge amount, I would shy away from the electric motor option, and would consider getting a drift sock. If you really want to be frugal, a 5 gallon bucket and rope will do the trick as well.
The nice thing about a drift sock is that if you hook a fish, you can quickly bring the sock aboard, or you can just release it (give it has a float on it) and fetch it after the catch is made.
In most cases, trolling will be anywhere from 3 - 6 mph for most applications, and assuming your motor will pull roughly 5mph, it would not take much to slow it down more.
I would stay away from a trolling plate as well as that means drilling holes in an anti-cavitation plate, and can reduce performance of the rig if that plate is hitting any water while on plane.
Steve |
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Posts: 11
| I would use the Opti. I use mine which is a 175hp on a Ranger 185 and it works just fine. I am a firm believer in additives whether it be from merc or sea foam. I dont troll everyday because I prefer to cast but if the fish are biting this way I will certainly join in. I can get mine down to 2.6 mph. Never have had it load up or get hot. |
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Posts: 7069
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | I would personally stay away from trolling with the Opti. My boat mechanic yells at me for all the time I have on idle/low RPMS (just put on from slow driving or warming up engine) vs. full speed. He tells me that all that low RPM time clogs up plugs, and overall not good for an engine that is made to be run at WOT.
Just what I've been told, and I also run a 150 Opti.
Get a kicker, save the Opti, get a control bar/remote steering package and you'll be rollin! |
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Posts: 791
Location: North Central IL USA | Ok so which is it? Is trolling with an Opti bad for it or isn't it??? |
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Posts: 238
Location: Rhinelander | Ok here is my advice and please take in mind I'm not a mechanic but talk with one a lot.
The motor is not designed for idle trolling, is it "good" for the engine, no. But....will it destroy the motor, no also. You stated you won't be trolling much......how much is a little bit? How long do you plan on keeping the boat? All things to consider.
Look at it this way, ski boats, you know the ones for ski shows, typically mount new engines yearly and sell off last years motor. I would bet over half the hours on those engines are at idle speed. ( Iknow the one I was considering buying) The motors ran fine in the year the ski team owns them. If you planed on a few days a year trolling stick with the opti. If your little bit is 3 times a weekd vs 7 days a week find a way to put a kicker on and you'll be thankfull.
As another stated i would definatly run the Merc quick clean all the time in your fuel, not just when your trolling.
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Posts: 791
Location: North Central IL USA | Makes sense, Hodag Hunter. So the bottom line - the more you troll with an Opti, the shorter it's lifespan will be, yes?
I'm assuming the same would apply to the big 4-strokes, no? |
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Posts: 1037
| Hey, great input everyone. When I say I don't troll much, I'd say that I trolled 18 hours last year. 8 of them coming on one trip to the Bay of Green Bay. I haven't trolled for more than 4 hours this year.
I'm leery of trying to install a kicker motor on the boat. So, that is out. I'm also thinking that getting the motor mounted Minn Kota is out. I think the best that I can do is buy a new 36 volt 101 thrust iPilot. That will give me a better trolling motor than the Maxxum, so I can run the boat from the back platform and it will let me troll slow speeds, 3 mph to 5 mph. If that works it will cut down on my idle hours on the Opti. But, since I don't troll that much, I'll use the Opti on occassion and see how she responds. I'll just be sure to run her open for a nice amount of time afterwards. |
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Posts: 7069
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | gregk9 - 8/20/2010 4:26 PM
Makes sense, Hodag Hunter. So the bottom line - the more you troll with an Opti, the shorter it's lifespan will be, yes?
I'm assuming the same would apply to the big 4-strokes, no?
Again, just my understanding, BUT a 2-stroke and 4-stroke are different. 2-strokes generally bad for trolling, 4-strokes, ok. Might be/probably over-generalizations, but it's just what I've been told. |
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