Using a trolling plate...

[fish specialist]

I have a 16 foot boat with a 1995 70 hp Evinrude outboard. I can only use it to troll crankbaits if the wind is strong, otherwise the slowest I can go is about 3 mph. So, I am thinking of getting a trolling plate like the troll-a-matic. Does anyone have one of these and if so, do you like it? I heard they can slow your boat down but they can make steering the boat really difficult. Has anyone experienced this? It seems the trolling plate is much more affordable than trying to get a kicker motor. I'd appreciate any thoughts on the use of these things.

[TruthWalleyes]

Any reason why you wouldn't use a bow mount?

[aanderud]

I think a trolling plate will be perfect in your situation. they make it a bit harder to steer but not impossible by any means. I used one on my grandpa's old 50 horse merc on the 15 foot starcraft and cut my trolling speed in half. It was perfect.

Any reason why you wouldn't use a bow mount?

I could think of several reasons one might rather have a trolling plate than a bow mount. The first is that trolling cranks at 1.5 to 2.5 Mph in any wind for an extended period of time is out of the question with a bow mount. You'll do OK for some period of time with a 100+ pound unit, but then you run into the second problem -- cost. The 100+ pound unit is going to run close to 1500 bucks by the time you've got your 3 batteries. With a trolling plate you can run cranks all day and night without a recharge.

[delmuts]

+1 for the trolling plate.

Only thing is to make sure it has a release in case you forget it and go full throttle. ( my brother had one of he old ones that didn't. Had to relace pins alot!)

[Schubie]

I have been with many who have used trolling plates. As others have said it make steering more difficult especially in the wind or backing out of a dock. But we still used them. Delmuts is right about not forgetting to pull the cord. We bent the heck out of my Dads a few times.

I have a friend who has the square one with springs. No cord to pull,the thrust from the engine extends the spring and then it acts as a whale tail or hydrofoil.

I have the round one that looks like a donut. I think it helps some with steering since some thrust goes threw the middle. But maybe I like it because I own it. It also works on a spring instead of a cord and I replace the springs every three years or so.

IMO they have a time and place where they are useful.

Schubie

[fish specialist]

I do have a bow mount and it works great for most situations, except pulling plugs. As mentioned earlier, it can't withstand doing that for long periods of time and it would be nice to have a back up trolling option in the case the battery dies due to a long day of fishing. The troll-a-matic is supposedly "automatic" so that if you do take off it just lifts up. I was thinking of installing a cord on it anyway though, so I could pull it up and out of the way when I am unloading the boat and backing out of the dock. I am assuming that doing that will reduce the problems with backing up and steering?

[delcecchi]

How about a drift sock or a couple 5 gallon buckets? Throw them over, and tie off to cleats?

[kerryd15]

If steering is difficult with the plate installed use the trolling motor just to steer.

[fish specialist]

It would be nice to not have to use buckets or the sock...it could get pretty tiring hauling in the bucket and/or the sock each time you'd want to move. Supposedly with these plates you commonly have to increase your throttle more than normal to find the speed you want. Anybody know if doing this could damage your motor?

[curley]

I put a Happy Troller on my 175 Trophy with a Honda 115 last fall, I love it. It took my idle speed from 3.0 down to .9 now i can keep the boat at any speed i want for cranks. As far as turning it does slow the reaction of the boat a little but not to bad. You just have to remember to bring it up before taking off so you dont bend it. I also cut the cord on it twice from the prop but i think i got the length figured out after the second time.

[slurpie]

In crosswinds is when I thought the plate was the worst. You have to accelerate more to propel the boat forward. It works to slow the boat down but the handling gets bad. You could drop down the trolling motor and run it straight back to slow you down.