Main Motor in water while trolling with kicker

[SNye45]

While I am trolling with my kicker, am I damaging my main motor if I leave it in the water and don't raise it up ? It is in neutral. I can steer my kicker from the helm, and if I leave my main motor in the down position, I am thinking that it gives me better steering control it with the increased drag of the lower unit. However, I am always of the thought that I am damaging my main motor as the prop is turning with the forward motion, or am I being silly since the motor is in neutral

 

[cougar1985]

Re: Main Motor in water while trolling with kicker

While I am trolling with my kicker, am I damaging my main motor if I leave it in the water and don't raise it up ? It is in neutral. I can steer my kicker from the helm, and if I leave my main motor in the down position, I am thinking that it gives me better steering control it with the increased drag of the lower unit. However, I am always of the thought that I am damaging my main motor as the prop is turning with the forward motion, or am I being silly since the motor is in neutral

no harm done ,i do it all the time and have for years.

 

[northernmerc]

Re: Main Motor in water while trolling with kicker

Agreed. I do the same thing.

There also are those who think they need to tie their prop down to keep it from spinning when they tow the boat down the highway. Can the prop spin enough to cause damage to the water pump, bearings, or gears? I doubt it. If the motor is in neutral, the prop turning should not turn the water pump. And for a motor that has no neutral position, I doubt that wind from travelling is powerful enough to turn the prop.