Drift Sock/Sea Anchor

[imported_JD__]

My 4-stroke engine will idle at around 3 mph (gps).<br />Will a drift sock slow me down to 2 mph or less? Is it practical to use a drift sock with the gas engine this way? Recommendations to brand & size?<br />Thanks,<br />JD

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Drift Sock/Sea Anchor

JD, I have heard of doing this, but have never tried it. I would be concerned about tangling the lines in the prop and about forgetting the "sock" and taking off at high speed.<br /><br />They also have "Happy Trollers" which are an aluminum plate that is spring loaded and blocks the thrust of the prop.

 

[moderator1]

Re: Drift Sock/Sea Anchor

JD_<br /><br />Your duplicate post in Fishing has been closed.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Drift Sock/Sea Anchor

What size are your boat and motor?

 

[imported_JD__]

Re: Drift Sock/Sea Anchor

Chris1956,<br />Thanks butI have a hydrofoil installed on the anti-ventilation plate, no place for a trolling plate.<br /><br />POINTER94,<br />I have a Tracker Avalanche @ 1400 lb. hull weight, 18 foot w/ Johnson 140 4-stroke.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Drift Sock/Sea Anchor

Sounds simplistic but simply tie off two 5 gal pails at amidships. (One on either side) This should slow you down at least 1 mph, just remember the slower you go the less of an impact these things will have. <br /><br />By placing them in the middle of the boat they should be out of the way of lines and the like. Good size motor for that boat, I bet she moves out real well!!

 

[imported_JD__]

Re: Drift Sock/Sea Anchor

POINTER94 <br />Thanks for the info. This is a bass type boat with bench seat and a front & rear deck casting platform. Don't really know where I would store the buckets to and from the fishing area. I really need something I can fold up out of the way when not in use.<br />The boat Is rated for up to 175 hp does ok I guess, around 50 wot gps. <br />JD

 

[Bondo]

Re: Drift Sock/Sea Anchor

I use 2 of the 4' bags on my boat.....<br />Tie them off from the front of the boat,+ Only let them back enough to keep them in the water.........<br />Never had Any Issues with the Prop, or Fighting,+ Netting Fish.......<br />They'll get you down Under 2 mph......<br /><br />Bigger is Better........

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: Drift Sock/Sea Anchor

Try trolling backwards like they do up on the big lakes for lake trout down deep. Waves permitting of course. This is what they do to slow the boat down, along with the plates in back of the prop.

 

[jklett]

Re: Drift Sock/Sea Anchor

Go to the local goodwill store and pick up the biggest pants you can find. Tie a rope to the belt loops in a triangle pattern, and a longer one cinching the cuffs shut(tie them in knots first). Tie off the fist rope to a stern cleat, and holding on to the longer one, put the pants in the water. When you've let out enough line for them to fully open, tie that one off too. When you need to move, just pull them in by the longer rope on the cuffs. Works as good as any drift sock, and only costs a couple of bucks. The only drawback is if you pull this rig out too close to other fishermen, they might look at you kinda funny.

 

[jamielong]

Re: Drift Sock/Sea Anchor

happyt troller makes a combo hydrofoil and trolling plate. check cabelas or bass pro. no worries about forgetting the sock or buckets in event of high speed takeoff.<br /> jamielong

 

[psvaj]

Re: Drift Sock/Sea Anchor

I just recently ordered a Cabelas Hydrotroll (hydrofoil & trolling plate). Someone told me that the trolling plate restricts the exhaust and over time there could be excessive carbon buildup and cause engine problems and the only fix would be to tear down the motor. I'll let you know how it works!