228 trolling speed with a digital 250hp Yamaha in troll mode?

[luckydude]

MrIdiot here, back with another question. I tried to troll with my yamaha in troll mode (at least it said it was in troll mode). I managed to drop down to 600rpm but my GPS speed was 3+ mph and I believe it. With a 12 pound ball my line was not horizontal but it was way too close. With 300 feet of line out my guess is I wasn't more than 50 feet deep, for sure less than 100. So way too fast.

I have whatever 3 prop blade that the dealer put on. I'm not excited about putting a crappy prop to go slower.

I sort of wonder if I'm not using the troll mode right. You tap the troll thing, it brings up a popup, you repeatedly tap the down arrow and then hit set. It doesn't seem adjustable once it is set, you have to start over. To guys who have that setup, is that how it works?

And what's the slowest speed you have managed with the big motor? Is around 3 it?

 

[Ky Grady]

Good question!!! I'm interested in the answer myself. Am looking at a repower in the future with the same motor and need to troll 1.5- 1.7 at times for Walleye, if that's even possible with big motor.

What's owners manual say about troll mode?

 

[seasick]

If your revs were 600, it is easy to calculate theoretical speed (max) if you know the prop pitch and the gear ratio of the lower unit.


Did you happen to note what the currents and winds were at that time? Also try trolling in the opposite directions (180 degrees around) to see what speed you make. If there are currents or winds that are affecting you speed you will know.

 

[family affair]

You only have a couple options to get to sub 2.0 mpg with a big single. Unfortunately they all have drawbacks.

1. Trolling plate
2. Trolling bags
3. Combination of 1&2
4. A prop that will have your engine on the tev limiter at 30 mph.

We went with option 3. 2 trolling bags were a PIA, and made it difficult to keep the boat tracking on a consistent heading. Trolling plate alone wasn't enough. 1 bag and the trolling plate works, buuut the trolling plate will cost you 0.2-0.3 mpg at most plaining speeds. Since I'm a stickler for efficiency, it comes off on days we aren't fishing.
I hope the next boat has twins and I can shut one down and not have to mess with 1-4!

 

[Halfhitch]

With twins you can run one motor in reverse to slow forward speed.