Trolling at 2-3mph

[SportFishCruising]

What is the best method of trolling between 2-3mph with a HATT C, say 45-48 footer with anywhere between 425's to 720 HP's DD's? I ask because my understanding is these low rpm's are not good on desiels, so how should the boat be equipped or modified? Are there trolling valves available? What are the choices or alternatives available? My intention is to use the boat in Lake Ontario trolling for salmon. What should I look for in a boat to safely troll at this speed without ruining the DD's?

 

[Boatsb]

One engine will probably get you close if the bottom is a mess and the props are crusted with barnicles like mine last week. If not 2 engines might get you there.


Really though the single engine and trolling valves will be required to get that slow.

 

[chris piazza]

Its not real good to troll along at idle for hours with DD's. I am up on Lake Huron and would love to fish for Kings and lakers but about 5 1/2 knts are about as slow as I can go in mine. As well as most DD have Allison's trans and you can not add trolling valves. I guess you might try and dragg a couple of sea anchors to slow you down but its still not good to run at idle for a lond period of time.

Chris
Superior Nights 53C

 

[Flick]

Do a search on trolling valves and how slow can I go, lots of discussion on this subject

 

[34Hatt]

I am thinking go with the current or a Sail


Now to be serious how about a smaller boat to do your trolling I think you really cant pull it off in yours.

 

[SportFishCruising]

I am thinking go with the current or a Sail
Now to be serious how about a smaller boat to do your trolling I think you really cant pull it off in yours.

I'm beginning to think you are right and I am terribly dissappointed
I don't have a boat yet (other than my bassboat) but after years of research had settled on the Hatteras brand. Then after researching all models, for my particular needs, ideally I want a 48C because I really like the interior layout of the staterooms for live aboard considerations, everything smaller is too much of a compromise. And now this trolling problem comes up because I do want to fish. I did search the threads/posts on the subject and see the following solutions:
1) find a 48C with Twin Disc Gears and Trolling Valves and then closely monitor engine/transmission temps when running; I should also avoid turbos for this application [finding this boat will be difficult, there are not many 48C's on the market]
2) troll with one engine alternating between the two, popping in and out of gear, being careful about the freewheeling (or locking one which means you cannot alternate) and watch engine/transmission temps, add sea anchour(s) as necessary. This sounds very abusive!

 

[Boatsb]

Or find a boat without detroits. many more modern engine designs will be better at prolonged low speeds.

You didn't like my idea of a fouled bottom? It worked for me. I had the boat scraped just before the 4th and the props look like catchers mitts already. Bad year for fouling here.

 

[SportFishCruising]

You didn't like my idea of a fouled bottom? It worked for me. I had the boat scraped just before the 4th and the props look like catchers mitts already. Bad year for fouling here.

Well, we do have zebra mussels up here...but no barnacles.

 

[rrrestorer]

Hook an outboard on it.

 

[saltshaker]

Many Hatteras with Detroits are fished regularly. Trolling is typical. I don't fish so I'm not sure what the proper intervals are but while trolling most will run the boat at cruise speed for 15 mins every few hours. My Detroits have trolling valves but I've never used them. Most Sportfish built from the '70's through the mid '90's have Detroits in them and they regularly troll, although I believe most saltwater trolling is a bit faster than 2-3kts. Trolling on one engine is fine but you will need to run the other engine for the trans oil pump.