Should I use a kicker when trolling in a 4.3L Mercruiser?

[gman546]

Got into trolling this summer pretty heavy on Lake Erie. I have a 2002 starcraft 1810 bowrider with a 4.3L merc in it. I was using the big motor just barley in gear, then my front mounted trolling motor on autopilot (on 3 setting) to combat the hull wobble to keep it locked in a straight line almost like a bowthruster. this worked GREAT

My question is regarding the longevity and viable nature of constantly trolling with the big motor and if a kicker motor is really required. My hull shape does not really make it easy to install a kicker, and all in it would be around a $2000 endeavour if i found a cheap one. Should i keep using the big motor? Risks? Is this terrible for the motor? I assume its not "great"

attached is my hull shape for reference. i feel like its gonna be a pain in the butt to have a kicker or even use it but i also dont wanna kill my engine

 

[Scott Danforth]

I wouldnt worry about your 4.3. with maintenance, it will last a good 4-5000 hours

I used to drop pitch for trolling to get my trolling speed down

 

[Sprig]

I agree, with your boat it would be a hassle to use a kicker for trolling . But why not use the electric trolling motor that’s already mounted for trolling? If need be get a more powerful electric if the one you have isn’t quite adequate. I can say from experience electric with autopilot is the way to go.
As far as using the main motor if that’s what you feel most comfortable with then just do it. I wouldn’t be concerned with longevity, you got the boat to use, so just use it.

 

[Chris1956]

I doubt the 4.3 motor will have an issue with idling for hours. They tend to be real good at that. The question is whether they troll slow enough to catch fish. If not, there are trolling planes (baffles) that slow the boat down enough for trolling.
Alternatively, a trolling motor or kicker with it's weight, and bulk help. Ideally, you would want a kicker to use the same fuel Tank as the 4.3, to make it simple.

A trolling motor adds batteries and wiring, and a need to recharge.

I like stuff simple

 

[gman546]

I agree, with your boat it would be a hassle to use a kicker for trolling . But why not use the electric trolling motor that’s already mounted for trolling? If need be get a more powerful electric if the one you have isn’t quite adequate. I can say from experience electric with autopilot is the way to go.
As far as using the main motor if that’s what you feel most comfortable with then just do it. I wouldn’t be concerned with longevity, you got the boat to use, so just use it.

its a great question. you think this would be the logical scenario and i tried it. i got a brand new 80lb thrust motor this year and yes i can run at 2.5mph on setting 10......for about 30-45 minutes until it only lets me go 1.6mph. and the reason for that i learned is called the peukert effect which is a physics thing specific to deep cycles. it basically means that when you draw higher current, the usable capacity shrinks. the chemical reaction cant keep up, so the available amp-hours descrees at higher discharge rates when trying to request the power from setting 10. Basically - if you run the trolling motor at wide open all the time, you actually get less total power.

You also battle voltage sag (vload=vbat-I xRi). Once again, as current increases, voltage available drops.

All in all, the TLDR is that with an 80lb thrust motor, i have to be on 10 all the time which is literally the worst to actually receive full power. basically cooking amps faster than the system can deliver usable power.

 

[gman546]

I doubt the 4.3 motor will have an issue with idling for hours. They tend to be real good at that. The question is whether they troll slow enough to catch fish. If not, there are trolling planes (baffles) that slow the boat down enough for trolling.
Alternatively, a trolling motor or kicker with it's weight, and bulk help. Ideally, you would want a kicker to use the same fuel Tank as the 4.3, to make it simple.

A trolling motor adds batteries and wiring, and a need to recharge.

I like stuff simple

I have a myriad of props. but i stick with the high-five 5 blade stainless beleive it or not. its the only thing that can get my heavy boat on plane under load in less than 5 seconds. you'd think that it would be too much grip to troll slow enough, but if i just click it into forward, its exactly 2.5mph. its magic haha. Then like i said - because of the wander of bowriders, i just lock the minn kota on autopilot pointed in a direction, and that gets rid of the wandering or else its a complete mess. a classic **** show to fish out of a non-fishing boat.

 

[gman546]

I wouldnt worry about your 4.3. with maintenance, it will last a good 4-5000 hours

I used to drop pitch for trolling to get my trolling speed down

with the trolling, i put 52 hours on it this summer. i feel like thats not bad. probably did 6-7 trips but intend to do triple or quadroople that next year

 

[gman546]

This is the current setup. it just occured to me that i did not mention - i do have a trolling motor. 2025 terrova 80lb 60"

 

[mr 88]

Not a problem with using the 4.3 all the time . I can't think of one Charter boat on Lake Ontario, USA side , that uses one , I'm sure there's a few . 95% are 305 ,350 ,454 and 502's . And as noted above by Scott D , 5,000 hours is not uncommon on a motor that is serviced on a regular basis . I would get the smallest trolling bags and use them . On Erie , walleye 1.5 is the norm from what i know , bags will slow it down to that , might even have to bump up the rpms , better for oil pressure. They settle the boat down , especially trolling in the ditch , (waves broadside ) . And boat will hold course better and I/Os are known to wander . Another way of slowing the trolling speed down is go to a lower pitch prop , drawback is you have to watch the tach and not run her over the redline . You'll come out of the hole quicker and use more gas when cruising , not sure how much ,lot of variables , including how its pitched now and how close it runs to the mfg max rpm number . Run and maintain the 4.3 , buy more fishing gear , you deserve it with all the money you saved by listening to the " experts " ! .

 

[gman546]

Not a problem with using the 4.3 all the time . I can't think of one Charter boat on Lake Ontario, USA side , that uses one , I'm sure there's a few . 95% are 305 ,350 ,454 and 502's . And as noted above by Scott D , 5,000 hours is not uncommon on a motor that is serviced on a regular basis . I would get the smallest trolling bags and use them . On Erie , walleye 1.5 is the norm from what i know , bags will slow it down to that , might even have to bump up the rpms , better for oil pressure. They settle the boat down , especially trolling in the ditch , (waves broadside ) . And boat will hold course better and I/Os are known to wander . Another way of slowing the trolling speed down is go to a lower pitch prop , drawback is you have to watch the tach and not run her over the redline . You'll come out of the hole quicker and use more gas when cruising , not sure how much ,lot of variables , including how its pitched now and how close it runs to the mfg max rpm number . Run and maintain the 4.3 , buy more fishing gear , you deserve it with all the money you saved by listening to the " experts " ! .

i do like the idea of the bags to pop up the rpms a bit but honestly, seems like more to manage than just using the minn kota's autopilot to get rid of the wander side to side. i would have no room to net the fish probably too. *Just* in gear (no throttle) gives me a perfect 2.5mph which is where i'm supposed to be at. we slayed them

I like my current 5 blade. It actually goes right to 4700RPM at WOT. its perfect. i do lose about 8mph on it, but i get on plane in ~3-4 seconds. Below are the specs in case you're wondering. This specific high five is 100% perfect for a 2002 starcraft 1810 with 4.3L