Outboard choice for 18' aluminum boat

[yukiginger]

A friend of mine plans to buy a Tracker Targa 185 for trolling and still fishing in the Finger Lakes, mostly trolling. Estimated package weight per manufacturer's site is 3,000 lbs. A Merc 115 Optimax and 115 EXLPT EFI Four Sroke are the same price. They have trolled before with another boat employing bags and buckets to get the speed down. Will they be able to troll down with either of these? Is one a better choice for fuel economy (a 7 mile run to the deep waters where they troll and then some hours trolling). Which one would you choose?

Thanks for any advice.

MarkG

[Chromeslayer]

i can get my 115 Merc 4 stroke to troll down to 1.9-2.1 on flat calm day.. thats on a 19ft boat..... bought 2 trolling bags to help in the wind

[stinger]

yuki'.........my responce is here.........

http://www.lakeontariounited.com/fishin ... php?t=4914

[yukiginger]

Yes, thank you very much. Friend is going with the OptiMax.

MarkG