New Boat performance...17.5 ft w/ 140 4 stk

[MIDNIGHT777]

I am probably going to be upgrading to a Alumacraft Dominator 175 CS. It is 17.5 feet long and will be putting a 140 4 stroke on it. My questions are on top speed and trolling speed. What can I expect at WOT, and what speed will it troll down to?

Just wondering........Thanks, Matt

[tomfromblaine]

I'd say check alumacraft's performance testing area on their web site you'll probably be able to find that boat/motor combo or one real close to get an idea, no trolling spec's though.

[MIDNIGHT777]

Thanks Tom. Just after I posted this I thought to check Alumacraft web site. I did and got the answer for top end. I still am wondering if anyone could tell me if I am going to be able to troll cranks slow enough with the 140. I have never owned a motor this big and cant afford to put a kicker on it right away.

Thanks, Matt

[SteveWilson]

If you don't want to go with a kicker then I would look at the Mercury Optimax or Verado, both are available around 140 HP (135 and 150), and install the smartcraft guage package. That package has a trolling mode where you can dial in a low speed. I have a Johnson 140hp 4stroke (built by Suzuki) and it's a great motor but it won't really go slow enough to troll for walleyes.

[MIDNIGHT777]

Thanks a lot Steve!!! Thats about what I figured. I'll look into the Merc's

Matt

[delcecchi]

The folks I know that have Suzukis love them. But it depends on whether there is a convenient dealer/servicer.

Boat ought to go about 45 mph, based on my Lund with 115 going 42.

[Cliff Wagenbach]

My Lund 1775 Pro-V with a Yamaha 115 does around 42 mph max.

It just barely goes slow enough to speed troll Raps. It trolls to fast for spinners or Lindys.

Cliff

[JohnMickish]

Am I the only one that trolls with the electric trolling motor? IMO it is better to save the weight and money of a kicker and put real good electric on the front. That is unless a guy spends the most of his time on very large lakes that have huge rollers, but when that happens your big motor will work just fine. With my electric I can troll down to .4MPH, just barely fast enough to tell your moving and do it for hours and hours. And the best part is it's silent and dosen't burn $2.50/gal. gas.

[Cliff Wagenbach]

I am with you on that!

I had a kicker for a while and did not like the added weight of a motor that I only used when it got really rough!

I finally got an 85# thrust, 24V, 60" shaft electric and have been able to handle almost any reasonable water on Vermilion.

Cliff

[JohnMickish]

I truly believe that instead of getting a kicker you could get a bigger tolling motor with autopilot and copilot, two Lowrance 334's, a 3500lb trailer with brakes and still have enough money left over for a week's vacation on a big lake and still have a better performing boat that's easier to fish out of.

[burl]

Dont forget about the value of a kicker if you would have a break down on a large lake.I have a 15 hp yammy on the back of mine.This motor trolls down to a crawl,is very quiet,and uses very little gas during a day of use.This has worked better than most of the electrics i have used over the years.Burl.

[bmc2b]

Another economical alternative to a kicker or electric trolling motor is a drift sock. You can throw it out and still troll with your main outboard at slower speeds.

[Northlander]

Unless your running a 20' or 21' boat. Especially glass. In most instances a bow mount will be ok but when on the great lakes or bigger bodies of water you want a kicker for safety as well as performance. No bowmount is going to limp you in on Lake Superior when its BIG and your 15 miles or more out of the harbor.

Im like Cliff I dont want the extra weight on my little 17' Explorer. Every time I go out on the big lake though I wish I had one just for safety reasons.

[Al Motz]

I have a 2004 navigator 175cs with a 140h.p. suzuki.My top end has been 52.Ilove it very quiet starts right away,never tried trolling with it to much.

[MIDNIGHT777]

Thanks guys. For those of you trolling with electric trolling motors are you pulling cranks or just back trolling ect. How fast would an electric push the boat? And would it be tough on the battery if I wanted to run it wide open for a long time.

Matt

[JohnMickish]

My electric with good batteries will run up faster than the big motor will idle down. My motor idles at 2.4MPH and I can go way faster than that with the electic. I have tolled for hours with mine but usually use the big motor and troll at 2.5 or so, if I want to use cranks.

[MIDNIGHT777]

mnfishinguy,

What size boat/motor do you use? Also what kind/size trolling motor does it have?

Matt

[JohnMickish]

1988 Lund 1650 Renegade, One foot shorter and little narrower than what you are getting, along with a few pounds lighter but still a good size boat. A 48 lb thrust Minnkota auto pilot trolling motor, 24 volt. More than enough power. When I get a new boat, (probably a 17 foot Dominator or Mr. Pike) I will only have an electric for trolling, probably something in the neighborhood of 80 lbs thrust, auto/copilot. Point it towards the waypoint and use two hands for fishing!