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Hello, I am the new owner of a 1997 Montauk 17 equipped with a 2002 yamaha f100 outboard motor with 500 hours. I will be using the boat in freshwater and the intercoastal waterways in south Florida with the occasional trip to the reefs in the Florida Keys. The motor was fully serviced 8 months ago and runs well at medium and full throttle but idles and trolls a little loopy. For that reason I would like to add a back up power source for days I am in the ocean. I have considered an electric trolling motor plus a battery or a small 4-6 hp gasoline kicker motor.

My concern is the weight of the yamaha f100 is already quite high at 356 lbs. A trolling motor and battery would add ~30lbs for the motor and ~50 lbs for a battery for a total weight of 80 lbs spread out on the boat compared to a yamaha or tohatsu 4-6 hp outboard that weights about 55-57 lbs all on the transom.

Given these options which configuration would work better? This model of boat has the wrap around rub rail so I will have to modify the hull to accept either a trolling motor or outboard, any advise on mounting is also appreciated!

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Classic 17's have a spot for a kicker built into the transom. Your bad idle is due to the carbs, very common problem. Clean the carbs and then decide if you want one or just get Sea Tow,

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I took the boat out today and ran some more fresh gas through it with some seafoam, it's idling a lot smoother but the engine stlll shakes at one harmonious spot at just above dle speed, if I bump the throttle quickly I can avoid the shake all together. I am going to keep running the boat to see if it gets better, thanks for your input.

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Are you getting the kicker for trolling? Or maneuvering while fishing. Trolling motor batter could be put in the console and would allow electric for moving the boat around while fishing. A kicker is awesome for trolling and will burn almost no fuel. I recommend a 6 or 8 minimum and put trolling prop on it. If too small it will have to run high rpm and will get annoying to listen too while fishing
Archie

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Your stumble is when your idle circuits change over to your main jets. A good cleaning will fix that. You can try the seafoam but it might not do the trick.