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Hello All,

I'm curious as to the minimum trolling speeds attainable with various main engines on an Outrage 18, when setup with the correct prop for correct WOT.

I know many will insist upon using a kicker, and I don't disagree, but this is not the purpose of my question.

If any of you have data, I'd appreciate it, for the following engines:

Suzuki DF140, DF150
Yamaha F150
ETEC 130, ETEC 150
Mercury's new 150 FourStroke

The reason I wish to know, is that we only do a couple of fishing trips per year, and because most of the new engines present a bit of weight challenge for an Outrage 18 if a 100lb kicker is added. I'm thinking a workable compromise may be to simply choose an engine that will allow us to exclude the kicker, provided I can get down to at least 2.2 mph.

Thank you

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Sorry don’t have your answer, however it’s very typical for people to pull either a bucket or drift sock to slow your speeds.
This would be a better alternative than choosing an engine base on a couple of fishing trips per year.

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donp is correct, also depends on to many variables to get the correct speed, drift, wind, current, ...

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A bucket is cheaper and lighter than a kicker, great idea. I use one drifting sometimes, but it never occurred to me to use one trolling.

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My 8hp Yamaha kicker is not set up for remote control yet but I did add the steering linkage to the main motor. Kit was about $50. If you have access to a kicker size motor you could use just for fishing trips and not mount it permanently. Ours was originally the motor for our inflatable for our other boat. Being a 4 stroke it was heavy on the davits but it works fine on our Whaler - I basically set it an forget it for low speeds and there is quite the difference in fuel consumption. In the next year or so I'll switch it to remote control - but it works fine as is.

Just suggesting as an option. Used small outboards can be found on CL for good prices especially after boating season. Ours is a short shaft and works fine.

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Thanks for the thoughts everyone, but I'm really just want to learn about minimum speeds with big engines.

I've dragged stuff before...doable, but not ideal. We have a Yamaha 9.9 elec start which works great as a kicker...I'm just entertaining the idea of leaving it's 100lbs at home so the stern stays higher in the water and to simplify the whole experience.

Fuel consumption is not a big concern with the modern engines at idle. Seems all of them are burning less than a gallon an hour at idle and EFI lets them idle cleanly for hours.

We don't need to repower just yet...its just that I'm so in to this boat right now, that I spend a lot of time day dreaming about the future with it!

So back to the question. How slow will these big engines go?

Thank you

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I troll for salmon with one of my twin 115 mecs on my 21' outrage, it trolls at about 2.5mph@700rpm, I usually bring it up to 1000rpm and 3.5mph for more hookups.

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With my 175HP E-Tec @ 500 RPM i troll somewhere around 1-2mph depending on wind and current. If I bump it to 700RPM I am in the 2-3 mph range. With my E-Tec 700RPM is a real tough spot to hit so I usually play with the throttle and if I am running with the current tend to bump it in and out of gear. I actually plan to get a stern mounted trolling motor, more for the 13 so i can get it into really skinny water, but I figure it would be good on the 18 as well.

With the E-Tech you can have your mechanic set the "in gear idle speed" which is basically the RPM's when you bump it into forward gear if 500 RPM is too low for where you are. it does require the engine be hooked to the computer so I never bothered to have it changed from the default 500 rpm.

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Thanks Kamie...that is a seriously slow speed! The west coast fishing we do is at 2.2 - 2.4, and your engine could do it!

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For striper here we are between 2.5 and 3 and some days i'm slow, some days i'm fast and some days i'm just right. really depends on the wind and the current. I am also boating on a tidal river so that has a lot to do with it. I have been told for striper to throw out the rule book and troll at the low end basically because their lazy.

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I've read about a "troll mode" option for the newer Suzuki's... It appears to be an electronic control for setting idle rpm at increments of 50. I think some engines will idles as low as 500rpm.

I'll dig to see if there is something similar available for the ETEC's...sounds like it would be beneficial.

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My etecs run at 500 rpm at forward slow speed, but water speed depends more on current, wind etc.

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18’ Outrage, E-TEC 150HP, Viper 14 ¾ x 19, T-H Marine jack plate.
Min. trolling speed at 500 RPM, depends on current & sea, 1.6 to 2.0 Kts (1.8 to 2.3mph)

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I believe there is a similar function built into the new Evinrude binnacle but it only works with the 2008 and newer engines. I think when i looked at it, it wouldn't work on my 2007 engine.