is trolling and putting with my '96 115 merc bad for it?

[sylvan21]

I have read in a book and also heard that it is harmful to troll with anything bigger then 25 hp motor. I have a '78 yarcraft with a 35 hp that came with trolling rod holders and that's what I use it for. Seem to work good. Now I purchased a Sylvan fish and ski with a '96 115 Merc but don't have the funds to supply a kicker. How long can I idle around without doing damage to the motor? Can I troll with this motor without doing harm to it if it's just occasionally? I like to putt around to save gas. Is it ok to putt around if I open it up a little once in awhile?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: is trolling and putting with my '96 115 merc bad for it?

i'm not the merc expert but, with outboards, as long as you are propped correctly, at wot, i am not sure what your motor should turn at wot, you can run your motor at any speed. on J/E if you do a lot of trolling we open our plugs and additional .005 to cut down on loading up.

 

[sylvan21]

Re: is trolling and putting with my '96 115 merc bad for it?

I troll on the river so I usually do a troll up river and then cruise back down and do it again and again and again. I havent noticed any problems with loading up. Seem to run good always. I have only trolled a couple times with this boat at the end of last year though. As far as the prop goes, I believe it is the one that came with the boat. What is wot?

 

[brandonsb22]

Re: is trolling and putting with my '96 115 merc bad for it?

wide open throttle

 

[dingbat]

Re: is trolling and putting with my '96 115 merc bad for it?

Up until 2 years ago I had a Merc 175 6 cylinder that I used to troll a lot with. That motor would troll all day long at 800-1000 RPM without complaining a bit.

We typically have a 10-15 miles run back to the dock at the end of the day so the run back at 4K-4.5K RPM cleared it out pretty well.

 

[sylvan21]

Re: is trolling and putting with my '96 115 merc bad for it?

So then what are some of the advantages of having a kicker motor? Besides a way hame if the main engine breaks!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: is trolling and putting with my '96 115 merc bad for it?

they burn less gas, distinction.

 

[sylvan21]

Re: is trolling and putting with my '96 115 merc bad for it?

What is distinction?

 

[gss036]

Re: is trolling and putting with my '96 115 merc bad for it?

sylvan21 What is distinction? Means the difference between the 2 motors!!!!!!!! Use SeaFoam in your gas, that will help out a lot to keep down on the carbon.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: is trolling and putting with my '96 115 merc bad for it?

distinction- the man with the most toys wins.

 

[tommays]

Re: is trolling and putting with my '96 115 merc bad for it?

There is something to be said for running a 1500 dollar kicker VS an extra 4 to 6 hours a day 8000 to 15000 dollar motor for trolling

 

[sylvan21]

Re: is trolling and putting with my '96 115 merc bad for it?

Great.... Now I know that nothing catostrophic is going to happen if I use 115 for trolling. I plan to buy a kicker next year. I just have to much money going out the door this year and I love to troll walleyes on the Wisconsin in the summer.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: is trolling and putting with my '96 115 merc bad for it?

sounds like a plan. happy fishing. if you trolling to fast in forward, turn around and troll backwards.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: is trolling and putting with my '96 115 merc bad for it?

sounds like a plan. happy fishing. if you trolling to fast in forward, turn around and troll backwards.

I've always wondered how well those trolling flap whimjiggers work...you know, the spring-loaded ones that come down behind the prop. I've seen 'em advertised, but don't know anyone who has ever used them.

 

[gss036]

Re: is trolling and putting with my '96 115 merc bad for it?

I used one one a 9.9 hp Evinrude (in fact I still have in the shelf, gave the motor to a son-in-law). It worked grear for me on the small motor. I used it to get really slow for dragging wet flies for trout when I got tired of casting.

 

[sylvan21]

Re: is trolling and putting with my '96 115 merc bad for it?

Yes I have seen those also. I might consider trying one. It trolls surprisingly slow for a big motor. I think maybe even slower then my 35 johnny on my little boat. I will only be trolling with it this year. Next year I'll be purchasing a kicker. I can't wait!