Z-wings... Ugly Green

fishwhenican · 06-05-2003, 05:10 PM

Ugly Green: have you had a chance to try out the z-wings you got? I was wondering how hard they pulled on downrigger cable or did you run them off of a hand line in Mexico? I wanted to try mine out, but not sure I'll have a chance before I head south.

Uglygreen · 06-07-2003, 12:37 PM

Just ran them off handlines... Havent had them on my downriggers yet and I dont plan to for tuna. Simpler is better for the tuna I think. May try them for Salmon off of a downrigger... Ill let everybody know when it happens.

fishwhenican · 06-08-2003, 10:28 AM

Thanks Brad

jcarufo · 06-08-2003, 11:30 PM

Uglygreen,
Which model Z-wing do you have, 200 or 500? We have the 500 that we use in Mexico on a handline as well. We've never tried it on the downrigger, but this model is designed for 5+ knots. Any info on your experience would be appreciated. Thanks.
Jean

Popeye · 06-09-2003, 05:20 AM

Fished my new Z's on my Scotty Electrics Sat.....AWESOME

(see Julie Rose post) My boat will only slow down to 3 knots (even on one screw!) But the Z Wings did great, even at 150'

fishwhenican · 06-09-2003, 05:37 PM

jcarufo: I picked up the 500 z-wings that I am going to try very soon down in Baja. I am going to try them on my Scotty downriggers and bring handlines for backups. I'll let you know. I also plan on using them here for TUNA!

Popeye: What idle rpm are you running with the screw turning? You might be able to get away with setting the idle speed down. I wouldn't drop it below 725 rpm though because those engines will stumble/die when cold if hot idle speed is much below that.

Popeye · 06-09-2003, 05:53 PM

Fishwhenican....Darn, why do you guys pick such long handles :grin: They are set at exactly 725. Question...are you a Cummins mechanic

Because if you are, we could become realllllly good friends :grin: :grin: :grin:

Miss B Haven · 06-09-2003, 06:10 PM

Popeye- Have you checked on getting a trolling gear installed? I don't know how I would fish Miss B for even silvers (let alone those lazy Chinooks) without one. 3 1/2 knots min on one engine without the gear engaged (actually disengaged would be more accurate I believe). I can troll down to the point I lose stearage with the gear. :smile:

Popeye · 06-09-2003, 06:27 PM

Miss B...When I took posession of the boat, and was being "run through", one of the first things I asked was whether or not I could have trolling valves installed. To my amazement (AND I had already bought the boat!) I was told that the "newly re-designed Cummins" DID NOT LIKE speeds under 2600 RPM's! And that all the time that I spent under that, would add undo wear on them. Sooooo....If you or somebody else can dis-prove that, PLEASE let me know!

[ 06-09-2003, 07:30 PM: Message edited by: Popeye ]

Miss B Haven · 06-09-2003, 06:50 PM

No diesel really likes to idle but if ya wanna fish then..... :whazzup:

Now - with or without a trolling valve, you are idleing one of those cummins and trolling right? All the trolling valve would do is reduce a little of the load on the engine while dropping your speed. You can actually run the engine a little faster and get rid of some of the really low rpm rattle in them (not that my Cats would ever rrrrraaaaaatttttlllleeeee :grin: ) while dropping the prop rpm and speed.
Of course you can always just bag those Lazy Chinook and just go for fish that like 7 knot lures! TUUUUUNA!!!!

fishwhenican · 06-10-2003, 05:31 PM

Popeye, I am the manager of Oregon Fuel Injection, we specialize in diesel pumps, turbos and injectors.
I have been working on diesel fuel injection systems for 22yrs, I do know 1 or 2 things about diesel engines, but I wouldn't consider myself a diesel mechanic. That said, I see no reason why you would want to run 2600 all the time. Excessive idling can cause cylinder walls to wash down (happened more often with older lower pressure fuel systems ) but idling with a load (pushing a boat) will not cause a "washdown" of the cylinder walls. Engines are most efficient at peak torque, not that they develop the most power there,but that is where they are the most efficient. They typically produce the most power at rated speed, 2500-2800 on the 6B.
Do you have pyrometers? It would be interesting to see what pyro temp at say 2000-2200 rpm would be versus the temp at 2600 rpm. If you have pyros, where are the thermocouples? before or after the turbos? The actual temp readings would give me an idea of how much load there is on the engine(s) and make reccomendations from there. Also do you have manifold pressure gauges? That tells me actual temp if the stingers are after the turbos.

Lepper · 06-10-2003, 07:02 PM

i've been looking at those z-wing things.. Are they worth the 50 bucks???
dave

Doryfisher · 06-12-2003, 06:51 AM

Z-wings at Cabelas, both sizes two colors - $42.99