reducing thrust on a kicker?

[Chief_aj]

I have a 1997 Honda 15hp four stroke that I had before I bought my new boat and its a little too much for my 19' Freedom. I was wondering if there are options for props to reduce the pitch so I can troll at more than just the slowest idle? I could possibly put on a trolling plate but didn't know how that would affect how it would repond. Hoping someone has an idea besides buying a smaller kicker to solve this problem. :shrug:

[jet]

You can buy a prop with less of a pitch. You might have a 9 pitch now and you could buy a 7. Keep the 15 you may want it if you head out in the ocean.

jet~~~

[Catching Nemo]

I have a 15 Honda as well and you can do a couple of different things.

1. Go to a 3 bladed versus 4 bladed prop

2. Reduce the overall diameter of the prop.


Go talk to AMPRO in Clackamas.

[jet]

Yes AMPRO really can help you, They may have something used there for sale in props.

Jet~~~

[Gus Orviston]

Have you turned down the idle screw a bit further on the carb. My merc ran a bit fast but after turning out the idle screw I can make it putt-putt down to nothing.

gus

[Green Machine]

Just buy another prop. I have a 4 stroke 15hp Suzuki.....good motor, just a little much at times. This will allow you to swap to less pitch for back trolling or more when you need it in Big Blue as mentioned. There is more in common with a 9.9 and 15 than you think. :shocked:

Green Machine

[Mikeymoto]

Throw out a sea anchor or a bucket or 2, that may slow you down.
MM

[Chief_aj]

Thanks everyone for the help. I'm going to take the prop of this weekend and look for one with less pitch, I also need to get the carb cleaned better because it won't idle at a putt putt without dying. I was looking at motors in Cabela's just as a reference and it may have a high thrust prop on it which may be part of my problem. Besides it never hurts to have a spare prop laying around.

[Chrome Bumper]

A smaller diameter or smaller pitch will reduce the load on the engine allowing it to idle a bit slower. You can also remove some area on the prop too. Cut an edge off each blade. I have seen that done too.

[Redneck]

AMPRO repitched my kicker's prop from an 8 to a 6 and it really slowed it down. it ran me about $40.
redneck

[Chrome Bumper]

The prop shop on highway 212? will loan you used ones if they have one, they run about 50 I think.

[troutski]

Have you tried rasing the outboard a notch or two. That should slow you down and won't cost you a dime.....and it works...

[Tall-tailer]

You might want to consider the small spring loaded trolling plates, at slow speed they are down and block out most of the thrust, as you apply more throttle they come up progressively to where at full throttle they are flat. Only down side is reverse is probably nonexistent.