Does Slow Trolling Hurt Big Engines? - 1001HT

Robin Senger, the Mercury Marine Outboard Expert, has some insight on trolling with your big engine.

[@minibar7165]

I don't have Merc's on my boat, but I was concerned and had the same question, regardless of engine brand, about too much slow trolling hurting my engines. My remedy was to add a powerful Rhodan trolling motor, with three heavy duty deep cycle batteries. I now use my gas engines fare less frequently when I'm trolling. Thanks for the video, great job and a thumbs up!

[@ThenextbiteTvShow]

Mercury 9.9 Kickers are nice to have too. Not only for trolling but also just incase you have one of them bad days out on the water and need that second engine to get back to docks.

[@Mr91495osh]

I have been boating for sixty years, have had just about every brand of outboard. My new boat will be a Boston Whaler 19 Montauk with a 150 merc. I have complete confidence in its reliability and I will hand it down to my son and my three grandchildren in a year (or two). Betting they will have fun with it for many years.

[@slydawwg]

Well, just a thought, when you do hand it down, make sure there's a kicker on the back, any engine, new or used can have an issue & break down on the water. For all practical purposes, but especially piece of mind. Regarding the Whaler ?--- Still the best Unit on the water. Cheers

[@djgmix916]

Can you troll with drift sock I have a 2021 Lund 1875 impact Xs with merc pro Xs 150. Have NMEA 2000 with troll control hooked to engine but lowest is about 400-500 RPM roughly about 2.5-2.9 mph but if I want to troll for Kokanee at about 1.5-2mph would drift sock be useful?

[@ThenextbiteTvShow]

it would slow you down. Reverse trolling same effect as the stern is like a plow in the water. Ideally a kicker motor or good trolling motor is more ideal for slower speeds. But you can try on calm days reverse troll and drift sock tied off the bow.

[@ChrisWilliams5605LS]

I have Mercury Smart Craft on my Mercury 150 4-cylinder. I cannot get it to go below 640 RPMS, thus still trolling faster than I wish to go.

[@ThenextbiteTvShow]

chris I know sounds counterproductive. But have you tried trolling with drift sock or power-pole drift paddle. It would slow down your boat. Other wise a kicker 9.9 or 15hp is way to troll if can't get to your slow speeds you need.

[@BillRodgers2]

I’ve got a 2022 sun tracker fishing barge 20 dxl with a 90 hp merc and I don’t think I have a button to slow it down?

[@ThenextbiteTvShow]

You will slow down your motor by its throttle. Most cabin cruiser uses their pontoon at idle speeds all day long as they cruise the edges of the lake. The Smart Gauges basically show what you can't see. MPG, RPM's and all the technical things that are nice to know.

[@BillRodgers2]

@@ThenextbiteTvShow it only slowed it to 2mph I would like to be at .5

[@bikeislife8405]

Stand alone trolling motor will keep hours off your Outboard, certainly a cheaper route

[@ThenextbiteTvShow]

true, Using a trolling motor or a kicker motor will save hours on your big engine.

[@colbybud]

@@ThenextbiteTvShow Absolutely not to mention full charging for your equipment. I have a front and rear usb charging stationn bunch of other things. Kicker motor hands down the smartest investment. Sometimes your main can throw a belt and you can get your guests back to the dock (after fishing all day on the kicker lol).

[@martinschulz9381]

I troll with two socks along the sides of the boat, that way I can adjust the speed real well. The outboard companies should put two speeds in their outboards. low being a deep reduction so you can use the throttle to adjust the troll speed. Running at those low rpm's is not good for any engine.

[@colbybud]

Some of the supercharged engines have 2 speed gear boxes now. Pretty neat and they also have turning gear boxes so the engine cowl doesnt move. This allows you to fit more outboards on the back of the engine.

[@martinschulz9381]

@@colbybud Okay, my idea is catching on. LOL Thanks for the comment.