my 2.5hp is too fast

[juggalo]

I finally got a small gas kicker for my 14ft starcraft but throttle all the way down is faster than I like to troll. close to 3 mph. i'd rather not have to tow a bucket just to fish. any suggestions would be appreciated

[Amx]

What is the idle rpm? If the idle rpm is too fast, then it needs to be turned down.

[BentRod]

Aside from suggesting an electric, maybe make a troll plate that will flop down in front of the prop while trolling like happy trollers for bigger boats?

[Amx]

goes behind the prop

[hewesfisher]

And don't turn your idle down just to slow down, there is a minimum rpm your motor must run at to provide proper cooling, whether air or water cooled. Make sure the idle speed is correct first and adjust only if it is wrong. Hate to see you burn up a motor trying to slow it down.

[BentRod]

goes behind the prop

Yes, what he said.

[juggalo]

thanks for the ideas.will a troll plate influence cavatation?the prop doesnt run very deep.something tells me it might help actually

[Amx]

At that speed there should be no cavatation. When you want to go faster, you lift the plate up out of the way.

[BentRod]

Are trolling plates for small outboards even made? Seems like an interesting fabrication project to me if not.

[edge540]

I would think that a 2.5 hp should troll pretty slow. I think a trolling plate would be super easy to fab for a motor that small though.

[Toni]

My 4 horse Mercury at full throttle goes between 5-7 mph. lowest throttle it goes 1.4 mph. I think the motor is going to fast. I have a 12 foot fiberglass boat. You have a 14 foot Aluminum? Shouldn't they be similar?

[BentRod]

My 4 horse Mercury at full throttle goes between 5-7 mph. lowest throttle it goes 1.4 mph. I think the motor is going to fast. I have a 12 foot fiberglass boat. You have a 14 foot Aluminum? Shouldn't they be similar?

I would expect that fiberglass boat is heavier than the aluminum and may draw more water. Not all motors are created equal either. Small changes in gear size and prop pitch will make a big difference on the water.

[G-Man]

I'm not a big fan of the trolling plate solution as it disperses directional thrust to a point that makes it difficult to control a boat in windy conditions. I had similar issues with my kicker and opted for a new prop with a lower pitch. Found a nice Solas 4 bladed prop with a 5 pitch to replace the stock 9 pitch 3 bladed prop. It made a big difference and allows me to troll in that .8 to 1.0mph range that the walleye and sockeye seem to like. It also helps to keep the main motor in the water fully tilted down and in gear. It acts as a keel for directional stability and the added drag slows down the boat as well.

[BentRod]

Interesting point about the plate and rudder control Gman. I have noticed on my friends 19' I/O on the Sound that control of direction is certainly reduced while using the troll plate. If it is indeed just the motor, then getting a new prop would probably be the cheapest and easiest way to get the speed under control.
For conversation sake, say that if one did fabricate a troll plate, what if it were made in a V pattern instead of a flat plate. By my thoughts, the V pattern (pending angle) would split the prop wash and instead of completely obstructing it, directing some out to each side which theoretically would slow the boat a bit, but still allow for more forward movement and control than when using a flat plate. One could even make the V angle adjustable via a hinged plate I'd think. Thoughts?

[G-Man]

It could help with the control, might be worth it to fab something out of wood and give it a shot. My concern is that anytime you disrupt the thrust of the prop, you are diminishing the control to some degree. A little trial and error my produce a happy medium. The easiest and cheapest way would be to fab a couple of small drift socks and deploy one on each side near the front of the boat. Not only will this slow you down, it keeps you on track in high wind conditions which really helps when you are fishing by yourself. There are a few instructions out there on the internet on how to make them, all you need is minor sewing skills.

[coretron22]

another solution is "drift socks". similar to towing a bucket, but easier to deploy and store. When I use resort boats, I take along my drift socks in case I need a slower troll.

[Jerry H]

Look at a different pitch/diamiter/number of blades prop. It can make a big difference.

[edge540]

Hey what kind of 2.5 horse motor ? A little more info would make for some more educated suggestions. I gotta think that a 2.5 horse would barely give you 4 mph wide open.

[juggalo]

its a 97 mercury with a plastic prop .i borrowed someones car gps and it said i was doin 5mph wide open but the gps was very inconsistant under 3mph. i was actualy trying to calibrate the paddlewheel speedo on FF.the trolling plate sounds like my best option considering im a Tig welder and have plenty of stainless and aluminum scrap at work.Hey any one need custom brackets or any thing?

[juggalo]

does anyone know if you can find different pitched props for a motor like this