Anyone use the spring-actuated trolling plates?

[jerryk]

Hi All,
I bought one of these "automatic" spring-actuated (no lever involved) trolling plates and am about to hook it up to my lower unit.

I got it because I KNOW I'd screw up and bend one of the lever-actuated ones.

But a friend told me it will hinder my non-fishing activities and make me angry. He says getting up on plane will take forever and the boat won't be level. Is this true? Here's what I have:
-2000 18' bayliner capri (fiberglass) 135hp IO
-I only pull tubes...no skiing.

Thanks,
Jerry

[QuakrTrakr]

I've heard that slow manuvering, like docking is a real pain with that. I wound up going with a couple trolling socks.

[richie722]

I put a Trol-A-Matic on my boat last summer. My boat is a 15 ft bowrider with a 60 horse outboard. Works great. Trolls around 1.5 mph now and boat still drives like normal (reverse and everything). Couldn't be happier.

[bigrackmack]

Hi All,
I bought one of these "automatic" spring-actuated (no lever involved) trolling plates and am about to hook it up to my lower unit.

I got it because I KNOW I'd screw up and bend one of the lever-actuated ones.

But a friend told me it will hinder my non-fishing activities and make me angry. He says getting up on plane will take forever and the boat won't be level. Is this true? Here's what I have:
-2000 18' bayliner capri (fiberglass) 135hp IO
-I only pull tubes...no skiing.

Thanks,
Jerry
Could you hook a rope to it so when you did go tubing you could just tie it up like the other style?.....I would not see why you couldn't.....Mack

[richie722]

No need to tie it up, it swings up on its own at just over idle speed.

[bigrackmack]

But a friend told me it will hinder my non-fishing activities and make me angry. He says getting up on plane will take forever and the boat won't be level. Is this true?
-I would have thought that by this statement there was a problem getting up on plane so if it was tied up maybe it wouldn't be........Mack

[richie722]

On my boat, it planes out just the same with it as it did before it. Could tie it up to see if there is any difference. From my experience, it works fine as is. It really does swing straight up at just over idle throttle speed.

Either way, good luck.

Rich

[QuakrTrakr]

On my boat, it planes out just the same with it as it did before it. Could tie it up to see if there is any difference. From my experience, it works fine as is. It really does swing straight up at just over idle throttle speed.

Either way, good luck.

Rich

So does it swing up at 2mph? I want to get from walleye to brown trout speed.

[jerryk]

Thanks guys! I'm gonna put it on.

You're right, If it's a problem I could just tie it up when we go on vacation (no trolling).

[richie722]

So does it swing up at 2mph? I want to get from walleye to brown trout speed.

It progressively swings up as speed is increased. I'm sure you could hit any speed you want by slightly adjusting the throttle, it basically just lowers the idle trolling speed.

[QuakrTrakr]

It progressively swings up as speed is increased. I'm sure you could hit any speed you want by slightly adjusting the throttle, it basically just lowers the idle trolling speed.

I may have to try one. Thanks.

[richie722]

Quak,

I bought mine at Cabelas for $70, but then saw it in the Frank's catalog for $50.

Not sure if Frank's still has it or not, but if you decide to get one they had the best price.

[QuakrTrakr]

Quak,

I bought mine at Cabelas for $70, but then saw it in the Frank's catalog for $50.

Not sure if Frank's still has it or not, but if you decide to get one they had the best price.

Thanks Richie. I'm heading right past there this weekend. I'll take a look.

[Hookineyezz]

I have a Trol-a-matic as well. The only thing it hinders is your idle speed, which it slows down...but aint that what it is supposed to do? I hardly know it is there.

[sirslurpee]

I heard the biggest complaint was reverse manuvering...
My grandpa bought one, and was going to put it on this year, but it never made it on the boat. There is some kind of lead "yaw" adjuster on the part of the outboard it mounts to, and he decided he wanted to make a plate to fit, instead of cutting the actual trolling plate to fit around it.. so I couldn't tell you how well it really works or not.
I did a search to gather what other people said about it.. and some people said they used a hole saw to cut a hole in the middle of it, so that it would allow more flow-through in reverse. I might be able to tell you how well it works this spring :D

[richie722]

Reverse maneuvering may be affected somewhat, but I guess I only use reverse to pull away from the dock and then to slow/stop the boat when pulling up to the dock. For the little I actually use reverse, I haven't noticed any difference from before I had it.

[QuakrTrakr]

Hey richie- I just bought one on Ebay for $40. It's actually coming from a marina in Fenton. C'mon ice! Blow out!

[bigrackmack]

Hey richie- I just bought one on Ebay for $40. It's actually coming from a marina in Fenton. C'mon ice! Blow out!
Which one did you get?.....I have a Happy Troller that I have not put on yet.....Was a little worried about drilling holes in my motor......Mack

[QuakrTrakr]

Which one did you get?.....I have a Happy Troller that I have not put on yet.....Was a little worried about drilling holes in my motor......Mack

The Trol-a-Matic. It's spring loaded without the release string. I'm not too worried about drilling holes, my skag is scuffed up pretty good anyways. Any place that does lower unit repairs can fill the holes in for you if you're worried. Drill it! It's a fishing boat right? ;)