When I was bouncing for flatties a few weeks back I could not get my boat to slow down to below 2kts while in gear.  No matter what I did I cruise @ 4kts which is way too fast..

I saw on a site somewhere there is something to add to the prop? shaft?  that sounds like it will force the prop to spin and less revolutions than the shaft.  I just remember reading an article and the skipper said he put the xxxx drive in gear and cruised around 1.5kts..  I asked the guys today @ west marine but they had no clue what I was trying to explain.

Does anyone have a clue as to what I'm talking about?  Maybe I was hungover when I read it..  Either way - help!

stuie

Goose, the ball is on the rail.

Stui,

 

The folks at West Marine must have been hung over. They are called "drogues". West Marine carries a few different kinds. I've had great results with drogues made by Hart & Hart. They are more expensive than the others but are built to last. They come in two sizes, 32" and 46".  I tried to insert a link but screwed up somehow. Just do a search for "drogues" on West Marine's website.

 

I use one 32" with my 18ft glasspar. It trolls at 2.7 mph without it. If you have a big boat, I recommend the 46". You can always increase speed. One big one is better than two smaller ones on each side of the boat. With one, there is a constant pull to that vs two where they dig in at different times making it more difficult to steer.  

 

You want the leading edge about mid-ship. Tie it off with a strong rope. Then tie off the back end with smaller rope. This is used to keep the drogue close to the hull and also makes it easy to remove from the water.

 

Hope this helps out somewhat.

 

Let me know if you have more questions.

 

Rick

 

Thx Rick 

SDMC949 wrote:

I think what you are talking about is called a trolling plate,

check out the "happy troller trolling plate" made by Davis marine.