why is trolling hard on the splines an coupler ?

[aerobat]

we live inlands with speed limited channels . we troll all days long at 1500 rpm often . ( 5.0 mpi b3 )

i heard its hard on the splines and the coupler but why ?

revs are low , the force is low comparing to being on glide . is there a technical explanation for this ?

best regards

 

[achris]

Because it's not holding the spine and coupler in the 'loaded' position... The boat is not on the plane, so the load is on and off. The coupler and splines get a flogging...

Pull the drive twice yearly and check the splines, make sure it's greased properly.

Chris...

 

[aerobat]

thanks ! i also grease the splines via the nipples on the coupler

 

[scoflaw]

Here's my take on Mercs reference to idling. Neutral out of gear, that's no load. 1500 rpm in gear, there's plenty of load n solid push

 

[aerobat]

thanx scoflaw ! of course i do not idle the engine at 600 rpm in or out of gear all day long , that would be nonsense !

so 'cruising' at 1500 is a non issue beyond normal maintanance and greasing i guess and hope !

 

[metsfan3197843]

thanx scoflaw ! of course i do not idle the engine at 600 rpm in or out of gear all day long , that would be nonsense !

Unless you live in Alaska and slow troll for salmon all day....not much of a way to avoid that up here if you want to stay dry and warm while trolling

 

[Rick Stephens]

In the end, when I did the math, it was cheaper to add a kicker to troll with. Long term maintenance costs, and fuel, made mounting a $1000 used outboard a better option for me.

 

[metsfan3197843]

did you add forward controls and steering? Every time I think how nice that would be I see the cost!!!