Trolling Plate Question ?

[nerta]

Would you purchase a trolling plate with a hydrofoil wing? Or stay with the basic plate and no wing? I'm thinking of getting a trolling plate but not sure I want the wing.

[fish_on]

I had the plate you are talking about; I used it 4 times and called it a loss. I had it on a 25hp and it just sucked too much power at top end cost me 9mph. Also the tourqe steer was horriable I cut 3 2" holes in it just to ease the troll/steer problem. I switched to an automatic plate with springs that swings up automatically when you get on it, I love it.

[nerta]

Fish On ! Thanks for the input. I'll be putting whatever I get on a 90hp. The steering problem was what I thought might happen. And the wing looks like it might get in the way.

[SnoSldr]

I put the Big Happy Troller on my 50hp.
It slows me down perrrrfect.

I found with my small boat (16'smokercraft)
It kind of acts like a wing. Gets up on plane quicker and is more stable on plane.

Think it might of slowed me down top speed.
But, I rarely run flat out.

Not sure how it would do on a 90. For sure be better than nothing. May have to drag a bucket too.

Lata

[SafetyChain]

graemlins/stupid.gif Do these plates really work in place of a kicker?

I have an 76 Merc 150HPon my 20' fiberform and no kicker, a plate would be cheaper than the kicker, at least for now.

:shrug: Would it cause in harm to the motor? short or long term?

all help appreciated :cheers:

[Walleyed]

My dad has ths spring loaded one that "fish_on was talking about and he really likes it.
My last boat had the happy troller on it till backing out of the ramp it came down without me knowing it and whan I gave it the goose the nose of the boat dove into the water like a canon and the troller bend all out of shape.
Im not shure I like the ones that lock into place, You never know when you might need a little extra power.

my 2 cents
Walleyed

[1pump]

I've had a "Fish On" plate (same people that make the seats) for many years on my 25 HP. Only problem was is that it worked too well. I had to modify it so it would come down only halfway- otherwise it would stop my boat dead in the water. There is a slight speed loss, maybe 2-3 mph. It's easy to remove when I don't need it, like during duck season.
Haven't had any problems with torque steer or planing.

Safety Chain, it depends on how your motor runs. My little 25 can troll all day then jump to full throttle without a hiccup. I'm not an expert on the big 2 strokes, but it's been my experience that they don't take well to excessive idling or low speed operation. They're usually ported for performance and will load up and foul plugs at low rpms'. Generally speaking, of course. Yours might not, especially if it's jetted right.

[ 02-17-2003, 10:59 PM: Message edited by: 1pump ]

[Hoosier Daddy]

1pump-
You just described what mine is doing. Works too good. Can you describe what you did to it a little more. I was thinking of cutting holes in it, but would rather not if I don't have to.

[Tony]

I had a large fish-on "happy troller" plate on an older 21' glasply with a 165 mercruiser i/o. Worked great. I kept it when I sold the boat to put on my new boat. But I bought a 18' willie predator that came with a trolling motor, so I don't need it.

It is just sitting in my garage collecting dust. I believe it wll fit 50hp or larger outboards and all i/o's. Still looks like new.

Make me an offer.

tkloster@pacifier.com

[nerta]

:grin: Safety Chain I'll let you know how the plate works compared to a kicker motor. I just ordered the spring loaded type. I have a kicker, but in the hard wind I would like better control, and I'm hoping to get it with the trolling plate on the main motor. Kinda of like wearing a belt and supenders, can't be over prepared. :smile:

[ 02-18-2003, 04:30 PM: Message edited by: nerta ]

[1pump]

Hoosier--

Bear in mind I have the "Fish On" plate- it's not automatic and has a lanyard to release it. It's 15 years old and might not be the same as yours.
There's a spring-loaded bar that attaches to the lanyard. If you look at the pivot end of the plate it has 2 notches on each side that the bar locks into. One notch is all the way down, the other notch is all the way up.
I took a rat-tail file and simply filed 2 new notches in the plate about 1/3 of the way between the "up" notch and the "down" notch. The plate now stops about 1/3 of the way down, but I can still go all the way down if I want to. You might want to check and make sure which angle works best for you before you file the plate. BTW, the plate is aluminum and files easily. Just don't make the new notches too deep.

[Tanker Man]

I have had a Happy Troller plate on my 120hp I.O. for quite some time & can troll with the best of them. :grin: