Is trolling bad for a 2 stroke engine?

[BoatFisho]

I have 3cyl 40hp yammy, 2009 long leg. Will I be fouling my plugs by trolling at 6-10knots? (or causing any other damage)

 

[hardwater fisherman]

Foul the plugs maybe. But no damage. I troll with all my motors and they are not as new as yours. What I do is take it for a good WOT run when finished for the day. If your motor is in good running order you should have no problems.

 

[Sea Rider]

If it's a automatic oiling engine as opposed to a fixed oil ratio engine, typical 50:1 no issues. 2 stroke engines doesn't like to troll for long time periods, will foul plugs. Much less at that given speed compared to trolling at minimum idle speed. Anyaway when going back to Terra Firme give the engine a full throttle as if you were stealing the boat. You can always clean the plugs with acrylic thinner let's say each 50 worked hours, plugs will last longer.

Happy Boating

 

[racerone]

Parts and pieces do not know how big a motor they are in.---------I trolled with a 235 HP Johnson for hr after hr with no problems.

 

[Sea Rider]

I trolled with a 235 HP Johnson for hr after hr with no problems.

But that's definitely a automatic (VRO) oil feed engine, which requires a minimum of oil while trolling at near idle speeds, right ?

Happy Boating

 

[gm280]

That answer is YES and NO. Any time engines are running there is trivial wear going on on all moving parts. That is jus the nature of the beast. However, if you're trolling and the engine stays in its' "comfort range" as far as lubrication AND temperature, I don't see a huge issue. I mean after all that IS what you buy these toys for in the first place, to use and enjoy... Just be knowledgeable of such issues and happy boating!

 

[Chris1956]

First of all 6-10 Knot speeds is not really trolling. Those are speeds that could be near the limit of your max displacement speed. Trolling speeds are more near 2Knots. Secondly, trolling is fine for 2 cycle motors. It doesn't matter if they are pre-mix or oil injection. As long as they are tuned properly, they should troll very well. If you really want to push the boat at 6-10 knots for an extended time, you should test it to make sure your cooling system is working properly, and you are not overloading the motor.

 

[dingbat]

First of all 6-10 Knot speeds is not really trolling. Those are speeds that could be near the limit of your max displacement speed. Trolling speeds are more near 2Knots. Secondly, trolling is fine for 2 cycle motors. It doesn't matter if they are pre-mix or oil injection. As long as they are tuned properly, they should troll very well. If you really want to push the boat at 6-10 knots for an extended time, you should test it to make sure your cooling system is working properly, and you are not overloading the motor.

Well then.....I guess I'm displacing, not trolling......lol

Spanish Mackerel Artificial Lures 5-7 knots
Yellowfin Tuna Artificial Lures 6-12 knots
Bonito Artificial Lures 5-6 knots
Dorado Artificial Lures 6-18 knots
Wahoo Artificial Lures 5-8 knots
Sailfish Artificial Lures 6-18 knots

I agree with the rest.... I troll for Stripers at 800 RPM, 8-10 hours a day, 6 days a week in season with no ill effects. Keep the motor well tuned, use good oil, and you'll be none the worst for wear.

 

[racerone]

My 235 hp motors were 1982 models and ran at 50:1 mix.--------------Trolled for hrs with no issues !

 

[garbageguy]

... I troll for Stripers at 800 RPM, 8-10 hours a day, 6 days a week...

now that's the way to do it!

 

[dingbat]

now that's the way to do it!

That's what happens when you get your priorities in line.....lol

We have a prime 3 week in the Spring and again in early winter. Work can wait.......lol

 

[BoatFisho]

lol id catch no fish at 2knots. trust me 6-10 knots is trolling regardless of how close to displacement it is.

its a 40hp 3cyl 2 stroke 50:1 engine premix.

 

[ondarvr]

Trolling speed means different things to different people, or should I say different fish. My trolling speeds vary from less than 1 MPH to 12 or so MPH. When people say two strokes don't like trolling, they mean at that lower RPM, lower speed range, and then thinking we are 40 + years in the past. Back when there was leaded fuel and 30W motor oil was being used in two strokes they fouled plugs. If you move up to the last 3 or 4 decades most people don't even know what a fouled plug is if the motor is in a good state of tune.

 

[BoatFisho]

id say 6 knots is my minimum but usually somewhere up to 10 knots. if thats not an issue for my 2 stroke then im happy. but i was brought up thinking 2 strokes hate trolling. perhaps this was at lower revs/speed, for trout or something.

 

[ondarvr]

but i was brought up thinking 2 strokes hate trolling. perhaps this was at lower revs/speed, for trout or something.

You were lied to. re-read my prior post.

I troll for days on end at 1 MPH for certain fish, I've been waiting for decades to fouls a plug, so far no luck. My current 1998 Merc 8hp 2 stroke is on the second set of plugs since new, all I do is troll with it.

 

[BoatFisho]

good to know i was wrong

 

[Chris1956]

Gee, I didn't think we had so many Tuna fisherman out there. I am used to the responders who are fishing in the lakes, who troll deep and slow....

 

[LongLine]

Exactly. Trolling in freshwater is typically 0.5-3.5 mph. Salties troll much faster. Actually I'd worry a lot more about the salt in the engine than I would about fouling a few plugs.

Tom B.
(LongLine)

 

[BoatFisho]

id love to have a crack at some trout at some stage. and in some countries, salmon.