Hello,my name is Andy Bartlett.I own and manage a dairy farm in central NY.Last fall I bought a used 17' Alumacraft w/ 40hp Merc 4 stroke.My intention is to learn how to troll for lakers,browns,landlocks,and walleye in the fingerlakes. I have spent the winter trying to read what I can find about downriggers,planers,tackle, and the fish. I have installed 2 Cannon downriggers and a Lowrance 522 gps/sonar. I am hoping the 40hp Merc 4 stroke with a trolling plate will idle the boat along ok at slow trolling speeds. I am as green as it gets when it comes to all this stuff so I will probably ask you folks some pretty stupid questions. See ya.