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  1. #1
    Fishing is a Passion
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    Oct 2011
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    Wilmington, NC
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    Trolling engine 2 or 4 stroke

    My salt water boat is a 26ft walk around with a 200 Johnson outboard. I am starting to do a lot of trolling and going further and further out in the ocean. I am looking for opinions on 2 issues. The first is what would you prefer to troll with a 2 or 4 stroke outboard motor and second what HP would you want as the kicker/trolling motor.

    Note- I have a 36 gallon and 80 gallon fuel tank on board so I could do either 2 or 4 stroke
    2002 Pro Craft 200 Super Pro- 2005 200 Mercury Optimax, Retired
    Empty Nester- Proud Grandfather 5-30-2014-Boy-Aiden, 8-2-2017-Boy-Calen

  2. Fishing is a Passion
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    #2
    Any comments
    2002 Pro Craft 200 Super Pro- 2005 200 Mercury Optimax, Retired
    Empty Nester- Proud Grandfather 5-30-2014-Boy-Aiden, 8-2-2017-Boy-Calen

  3. Ford Super Duty PATRO's Avatar
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    Aug 2006
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    Greenville, NC
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    #3
    If weight isn’t a concern I would take a four stroke any day over a two stroke for that application. Why do you want a kicker engine?

    Head over to THT for all the information you’ll need for repowering options. That site is based more towards saltwater boats and fishing.

    https://www.thehulltruth.com/index.php
    2019 Blackjack 256
    Mercury Verado 350

  4. Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Louisville, KY
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    11
    #4
    You might want to research more on Walleye Central although I don't know if there is other specific considerations for salt water. I decided to add a kicker last year for walleye and crappie trolling. I ended up with a 15 HP Mercury EFI. The 15 HP is less than 20 lbs heavier than the 9.9 and has the advantage of having EFI, which is the way to go. The 15 HP also has a bigger alternator, which helps charge the batteries while running. I also added iTroll for more precise throttle control and I'm very happy with the set up.

  5. Fishing is a Passion
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    Oct 2011
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    #5
    My main engine is a single 200hp, if I am 30 miles off shore it would be nice to have something to start the journey back if the main craps out. At this point I cannot afford to re-power with dual larger engines, so this was my best solution.

    In the mean time it would also be used to troll with. I am thinking at least a 15hp. For long trolls I am worried about carbon on the spark plugs of the 200 and just want some comfort
    2002 Pro Craft 200 Super Pro- 2005 200 Mercury Optimax, Retired
    Empty Nester- Proud Grandfather 5-30-2014-Boy-Aiden, 8-2-2017-Boy-Calen

  6. Member rds_nc's Avatar
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    May 2011
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    #6
    I can’t imagine carbon build up would be an issue from trolling. Lots of guys are trolling all the time. What’s the cost of a kicker versus something like a SeaTow membership? That’s more peace of mind than limping a 26ft boat on a 15hp kicker.
    He/him
    Kayak fishing in a Native Slayer Max 12.5
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