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I just had the boat out for her first run yesterday Still under the break in guidlines. But im happy with everything.
Im running a 115 optimax on a 18ft legend xcal boat.
Now I know i have to get my speed down to troll as i fish the BOQ for walleye a few times a year. Currantly im getting my boat down to 3 - 4 mph.
I like the idea of having a kicker motor on transom connected to my main fuel tank and steering. My dealer suggested a trolling plate? Legend has a set of duel purpose trim tabs that can ack as a trolling breaks/trim tabs?
what are you people running to slow you down? If I did decide on a kicker what would be the best hp? Im thinking 6hp 4 stroke @55lbs. My battery is on the right side opposite of the recommended kicker location. So im thinking 55lbs would be around the balance weight point?
I had my rig out for a spin to-day back here on Dog lake, everything works ,I can't believe it! Trolling plates still cause drag even when they are up you lose 2mph and you have to drill your Opti. I would use a driftsock untill you can get a kicker.A 9.9 Merc bigfoot c/w power tilt electric start,remote steering and remote gear shift would look great beside that Optimax(85 lbs)
swampbuster~ Thanks for the reply. Do you think that troling a 115opti would cause it to fowl up?
I have my eye on a 8hp 4 stroke. Its a 05 model for $1600. I think it weights in around the 85 lb mark also. What is the water level like in dog? I remember last spring it was very high.
Yes I think you will foul your plugs if you troll much, a kicker is a good solution. I have a 9.9 fs with my 115 ficht. The 8 hp should work great for walleye speeds but you might have trouble if you want to troll faster than 2-3 mph(Muskie). I was surprised that my 9.9 only pushes the boat 4-5 mph even with the 4 blade 10x5 prop.And it is working pretty hard at 5mph.If you hang it off your transom you will need a 20" shaft, also I would get a 4 blade 10 x 7 or 10x5 if they are available for the 8hp. They give you a lot more thrust and control. Is the 8hp elec start/remote control? Trolling with a 4s kicker is pretty slick ,quiet smooth and you burn very little gas.Yes Dog is as high as it ever gets right now,I was trying for crappies but it was very windy, and I spent more time playing with the boat than fishing, making sure all was working ok. :lol Thanks Russ
Hi 1lastcast,
I too would vote for the kicker. When I first bought my rigg, I was advised by a couple of outboard mechanics that any engine larger than 75 hp shoud not be run at normal trolling speeds for long periods of time, including the new 4 strokes. I heeded their advice, bought a 9.9 4st. kicker and have never regretted it.
I too have a 115 but a 4 stroke. I put the trim tabs on the back of the boat. 1 it will put me up on plane faster and 2 it will allow me to troll down for Quinte eyes.
As for trolling with a large motor... There's a lot of mixed feelings about this. The main reason is why would you put so many hours on a large motor. Many mechanics I've talked too don't see much problem with trolling with a 115 hp.
as for trolling plate.. I'd stay away from it as you will void your warranty. Go with drift soc or trim tabs.
I'll be trolling with mine until I can pick up a larger motor.
Carlco wrote:I too have a 115 but a 4 stroke. I put the trim tabs on the back of the boat. 1 it will put me up on plane faster and 2 it will allow me to troll down for Quinte eyes.
As for trolling with a large motor... There's a lot of mixed feelings about this. The main reason is why would you put so many hours on a large motor. Many mechanics I've talked too don't see much problem with trolling with a 115 hp.
as for trolling plate.. I'd stay away from it as you will void your warranty. Go with drift soc or trim tabs.
I'll be trolling with mine until I can pick up a larger motor.
Carlco, interested in your trim tab solution. I too have a 115 4s and find trolling speeds of less than 3mph are difficult to achieve without a sock. I priced a kicker with all the controls and was quoted around $5K. I understand the principles of the trim tabs for getting you on plane, but are you saying you can extend them down to slow the boat down???
Still under the break in guidlines. But im happy with everything. 
