Trolling with a 115 Merc

Will pulling plugs with my 115 Merc cause any premature issues with the motor? I can get down to 1.8 - 2.0 mph with it, and even slower if I pull a drift sock. I don't have a kicker, nor the $ to install one.

I've noticed that after 3-4 hours of pulling plugs with it, I get a little unburnt oil (smells like gas) drain out of the water drain hole just below the cavitation plate. Is this because it's been running idle so much?

Thoughts/experiences?

Thx
JB

[bluegill 1]

I've been trolling with a Merc 115 4 stroke for several years and have never had any issues.

Bluegill 1

Any difference between a 2 stroke and 4 stroke?

[fxnrxn]

I think the 2 strokes typically 'load up' a bit while idling. My brother owned a 115 2+2 and I remember having to rev it up on occasion just to clear it out. Ran fine after clearing it. I suspect that's what you're seeing. Those old 115's were pretty bullet proof. Rev it up, and see if that takes care of your problem at least temporarily. Mike R.

[PC172SS]

We made the mistake of trolling with our 2009 115 Merc 2 Stroke and fouled our spark plugs. We were advised by our trusted marine mechanic not to troll with this motor and to invest in a kicker motor to troll with instead, or troll for 20 minutes max and then take the 115 for a blast at full tilt for a while, otherwise you run the risk of overheating it or worse. Not worth the risk for us, we're having a 9.9 installed in the spring.

[Ltrain]

I imagine adding a trolling plate would allow you to keep the revs up to avoid fouling them.

[PC172SS]

Originally Posted by Ltrain

I imagine adding a trolling plate would allow you to keep the revs up to avoid fouling them.

I will definitely look into that option. Thank you!

[GWC]

I have a 2022 Mercury 115 Pro/XS on a Lund Renegade 1875. I just turned 300 hours on my motor. I purchased the boat in August 2021. Needless to say, I do a lot of trolling. No problems with the motor. The spark plugs were still good at 300 hours. My trolling speed is 2.8 to 3 mph.

[last chance]

i have trolled for many years with an old 83 mariner and with an older 115 merc inline 6 tower of power and never had any problems with either motor in the years i used them.

I would have no issue using your motor for trolling. the one thing I did which may or may not help but after I finished fishing I always ran the motor at about half throttle for a couple of minutes then I run it wot back in or take a run down the lake if trolling in a smaller local lake.

I say troll your heart out. but I would get trolling bags that are tied off at the back. they are much tougher than drift socks plus you have much better boat control with the back tied off to the rear cleat or anything else. I tie mine off on the base of my cannon ratcheting rod holders.

[Ohio fisherman]

To troll slower at higher engine rpm simply tilt the engine up a bit so the propulsion is less efficient.