Backtrolling

[Scott]

I have Lund 1775 with a Mercury 150 and planning to back troll with it,will the motor load up under these slow trolling conditions?

[Osprey]

I have an 18' Crestliner with a 150 optimax on it. I troll with it all the time and have had no problems. I normaly only us it for normal trolling but do it real slow. Have you thought of a kicker motor at all. I have tried backtrollng with it a couple of times and found that I don't have any where near the control as when I use my kicker and a tiller. The steering wheel just isn't fast enough.

"Osprey"

[Jerry]

Hi
The answer is maybe.
What year is the motor?
Is it an Optimax?
If it is you're o.k.

Speaking from experience, the older ones had a few problems.
If its an old one, do this:
New spark plugs
90 octane gas or better
Good oil, Mercury stuff or better, (don't get cheap)
Properly tuned.
Prop pitch is important
You can turn the idle down on the older motors.

Kickers are alittle bit of a problem since they are not on center.

Thx
Jer

[Ernie]

I have a carb'ed Johnson 150 on an 18ft Crestliner, and opted for a kicker. The 150 was too much for trolling and backtrolling. However, prior to the kicker, I have attached one of my driftsocks off the bow ring and back trolled with the main motor. This slows the boat, and it helps control the bow, especially in a wind. I have two sizes of drift socks in the boat to use in different conditions. I also put splash guards on the back because of the wide, low transom on the Crestliner. Someone I know has the same set-up as you do - 150 Merc on a 1775 Pro-V. He is thinking about splash guards for the same reason.

[Scott]

Thanks for the information, the motor is a Optimax with splash guards and a kicker motor seems to be a option,but the transon sets very low in the water with the 150hp

[Ernie]

I am not too familiar with the Optimax, only what I have read. I think Jerry alluded to it in a previous post, but I do not believe these motors have a problem with loading up, plus they can operate at a very low RPM. You should be able to go as slow as you need to with the main motor.

[fishy1]

alright heres the secret use youre auto pilot to steer and youre kicker to push in windy cond. or the main in severe cond. youll be amazed at the controll youll have and if you snag you can turn as fast as you react stay on structure or depth set the direction and go no hands steering eyes on the board is eyes in the boat