[Steve L]

I have a 1998 taria 3100 open with 7.4 crusaders gas engines and I looking for the best way to keep my speed for trolling when fishing. At this point I have been using a trolling bag which I hate as it can be sometime dangerous to install in rough weather and with currents. What is my best way to control speed is it installing trolling valves and if so please give the good and bad on these valves ? Or i am I better off using a trolling plate . Fish in lake Michigan waters.

thanks steve

[Misdirection]

I am not aware of a trolling plate for inboards.

What motors & transmissions do you have in your boat? I am only familiar with trolling valves in boats with diesels due to their torque. Trolling valves on the transmissions certainly work.

What speed are you trolling at on a single engine now? Are you running three or four blade props?

Some more information would help to point you in the right direction.



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[Steve L]

7.4 crusader's are the engine's and Velvet drive model 20-01-004 are the transmissions.  3 blade prop.  Sometime i do not have to use the trolling bag if i am going into the waves or chop , but if it is calm and the speed I want is 2.2 or 2.5 at the prob 80' down I cannot get.   Thanks for your reply

[Misdirection]

I believe that trolling valves are only available for hydraulic transmissions, the velvet drive clutch is spring activated.

I think that running a bag opposite of the motor your trolling on is going to be your best option. That and lower your trim tabs as far as they will go.

Good luck.

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[rcwiegand]

I have a 2004 35 Open with Crusader 8.1L engines and ZF63A 2.5:1 transmissions. I had trolling valves installed when I bought the boat new. I used the valves exclusively for several years but now have transitioned to trolling bags. I prefer the trolling bags unless I am trolling in larger waves. I get better speed control and use less fuel. I have to run 900+-1000 rpm when I use the valves. Contrary to the post above, I only run the bag on the side with the engine I am using. If I did it over, I would have saved ~$3500 and not installed the valves.

[reeltimebrad]

Stick with a bag and don't put it opposite the motor your running doing so will spin you in circles. I ran bags for years then added valves which was pretty much a waste of money, they are to finicky unless you have the electronic versions. Also I don't believe they are available for velvet drive only twin disc,or zf hurth. If you leave the forward line hooked to a spring cleat before leaving the dock and only have to throw it in and attach the stern line it should'nt be to dangerous but it is a pain having to pull them back in. Bags are much more consistent and have the added benefit of settling the boat in rough weather.

[rcwiegand]

If you cannot slow down enough, get a larger bag or use one on each side of boat.  I use a amish outfitters 36" bag and have no trouble getting down to <1.8mph sog with no current on 35 open with 8.1L

[Steve L]

Thanks for all the comments , this board is always helpful. I talk to another boater and he told me to talk to Michigan prop service as they do work for tiara boats and give them information on the prop's i have on boat and they might be able to give me some information on my existing prop. My existing prop indicates 19 LH 21 on it. Don't know what that means.

[ReelMagic]

Believe the 19LH21 means 19 inch pitch, Left hand rotation, and 21 inch diameter....M2C

[reeltimebrad]

Those props are the original size and pitch. Changing the pitch will affect the cruising rpm negatively and will only result in a couple tenths mph difference in trolling speed if anything.