Trolling plate or bags ?

[back on eerie 2016]

I use big papa bags. I love them

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[sherman brown]

I use bags on my 23' boat I use on erie. but on my small 17' tri hull open bow I use the easy troller plate. either one will slow you down. they are positives and negatives to both. but with a small boat I like the plate the best. get the easy troller with the fins. the easy troller has a spring loaded lower half that raises up if you forget them and give the boat throttle. the easy troller is the best plate out there. I used plates for 30 yrs and used almost every plate on the market.

[rolmops]

On 10/12/2019 at 10:35 AM, Pete Collin said:

Just to be contrary.....A trolling plate doesn't need to be stored, and you don't have anything hanging off the stern when you bring a fish in to be netted.  It will last the life of your boat, won't dry rot or rip.

That is true until the one time that you forget to raise it before you take off and you subsequently ruin it. I think that a 16 footer that trolls should have a little kicker,not bags or trollplates

[spoonfed-1]

2 hours ago, sherman brown said:

I use bags on my 23' boat I use on erie. but on my small 17' tri hull open bow I use the easy troller plate. either one will slow you down. they are positives and negatives to both. but with a small boat I like the plate the best. get the easy troller with the fins. the easy troller has a spring loaded lower half that raises up if you forget them and give the boat throttle. the easy troller is the best plate out there. I used plates for 30 yrs and used almost every plate on the market.

X2. The spring loaded lower half makes all the difference in the world. It prevents damage and enables you to get additional thrust when needed.

[sherman brown]

51 minutes ago, rolmops said:

That is true until the one time that you forget to raise it before you take off and you subsequently ruin it. I think that a 16 footer that trolls should have a little kicker,not bags or trollplates

to start with all 16' boats don't have room for a kicker. but it is the best option. but if they use a plate be sure its the easy troller. it swings up if you forget to raise it. I forgot with a happy troller the 1st morning out and ruined the whole trip.

[Scotter96]

I just bought a 7.5 merc for a kicker . Now I’m in the picking out a mount phase and finding the right steering connector. And yes I am tight for space on the back but I’ll get it to mount some we’re . Lol . Thx for the input


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[sherman brown]

you can make your own with all thread and air fittings. or you can get the ez steer. or spend the big bucks for auto pilot. I think panther makes a steering set up but im not 100% sure.

[Dan M]

1 hour ago, Scotter96 said:

I just bought a 7.5 merc for a kicker . Now I’m in the picking out a mount phase and finding the right steering connector. And yes I am tight for space on the back but I’ll get it to mount some we’re . Lol . Thx for the input


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You find the merc used or new? Price?

[Scotter96]

Used for $200 . Very nice shape it’s a 1975 . I’m going to clean the carb out . It runs now but it’s a little choppy . Hopefully that will get ur done .


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[jimski2]

I use the Panther bar connector for my 10 hp kicker. The main
Motor needs to remain in the lowered position as it increases your steering control.


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