Should I run at wot?

[Plainsman]

Hello,<br />I have a 1976, model 1150 115 hp Mercury. I plan on using the boat for fishing most of the time. That means not running wot most of the time. My question is will that be bad for the motor? I do have a trolling plate. Does it make much of a difference? And will the trollong plate allow me to run wot without going to fast?<br />TIA<br />Eric

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Should I run at wot?

Let me get this right, you are asking if not running the engine wide open will hurt it? Of course its not going to hurt it. I wouldn't run my engine wide open except when I'm trying to run from weather, or occasionally to clear out the cylinders, then its only for a couple of seconds.<br /><br />Also, if I'm understanding what a trolling plate is, why exactly would you want to run wide open with it in place? I thought they were supposed to be used at idle anyway.<br /><br />

 

[Plainsman]

Re: Should I run at wot?

Thanks for the response. I know nothing about boating except what I have read, which isn't much, and am trying to learn. <br />The trolling plate attaches to the lower unit and is a round plate of metal with a hole in the center so you can run at higher rpms, but not go as fast.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Should I run at wot?

no the trolling plate is to slow you down when trolling. usually when the idle speed pushes you to fast. before trolling plates we use to have to put the motor in and out of gear to keep the speed right. thus putting a lot of excess wear on the clutch dog.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Should I run at wot?

before trolling plates we towed "sea anchors" usually 5 gallon buckets with holes.<br /> if your cooling and fuel system at top notch that motor will purr at 5K RPM longer than your bladder will.<br /> if the systems are not top notch it dies.<br /> however the faster ya run it the more gas it burns.<br />if ya have to clear the cylinders fix the fuel system.

 

[Plainsman]

Re: Should I run at wot?

Thanks to all!

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Should I run at wot?

I don't know too many 2 strokes that don't need their cylinders "cleared" after prolonged idling. There is nothing wrong with my engine, it doesn't even hiccup and it's now a teenager.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Should I run at wot?

Originally posted by waterinthefuel:<br /> I don't know too many 2 strokes that don't need their cylinders "cleared" after prolonged idling. There is nothing wrong with my engine, it doesn't even hiccup and it's now a teenager.

seriously, if you need to "clear" the cylinders, you have problems with the fuel systems. your motor should be able to idle for ever with no problems.