Trolling Plate

[green1320]

I have a 20 foot Blue Fin Spectrum with a merc 3.0 engine and was thinking about getting a trolling plate to get the engine to slow down to a nice trolling speed. Has anyone ever used these trolling plates and if so what ones work best. Will these plates hurt your engine? thanks

[jimirjr]

I suggest forgetting the troll plate and just get yourself a "drift sock" in the appropriate size for your boat... THEN, just hang it from your FRONT BOW eyelet with a rope about 5' shorter than the length of your boat. This setup is very cost effective and works like a champ, you can steer very easily and control the boat very well.
Troll plates make it VERY hard to control your boat, especially in windy conditions....

Just my 2 cents....

[Dacotah Eye]

Originally Posted by jimirjr

I suggest forgetting the troll plate and just get yourself a "drift sock" in the appropriate size for your boat... THEN, just hang it from your FRONT BOW eyelet with a rope about 5' shorter than the length of your boat. This setup is very cost effective and works like a champ, you can steer very easily and control the boat very well.
Troll plates make it VERY hard to control your boat, especially in windy conditions....

Just my 2 cents....

I have had several trolling plates and found drift bags to be better especially when you need to back up to avoid something. I found that I had to put it in forward to get the plate locked in the up position before it would do much backing.