Help - need to slow down a twin diesel

[Neurodic]

Gentlemen - I fish with a friend on his 31' sportfish w/twin diesels. Use the boat mostly offshore but also use for the trophy striper season. Fish 13-14 rods w/planer boards. Idling one motor gets us 4 knts. To get to 2.5 - 3 we need to drag a sea anchor. I am sure this spooks the fish a bit. Anyone else have this problem and if so whats your solution. Trolling valves are not being considered. Lookin for ideas. Thanks

Paul

[Squidnation]

Gentlemen - I fish with a friend on his 31' sportfish w/twin diesels. Use the boat mostly offshore but also use for the trophy striper season. Fish 13-14 rods w/planer boards. Idling one motor gets us 4 knts. To get to 2.5 - 3 we need to drag a sea anchor. I am sure this spooks the fish a bit. Anyone else have this problem and if so whats your solution. Trolling valves are not being considered. Lookin for ideas. Thanks

Paul

On the our aguasport we would just use a small screw drive and adjust the throttle cable to go below idle. Not sure if that would work on a diesel though.


We good get the motor to idle us at 2.3 which was perfect for us.

[Talbot29]

I got the same problem. Tried 2 5-gal buckets, not slow enough. I now use a big (Canyon 46" from AllTackle) drift sock attached to my stern cleats. Run 1 motor. It works like a charm.

Good luck.

[Foul Hooked]

I've seen big rubbermaid trash cans behind some diesel boats out in the mid-bay.

[tom s]

gear boxes with trolling valves.Tom

[Neurodic]

Gents - thanks for the replies.

Tim - thats what we do now, just fishin' for some other ideas. Apparently the sea anchor doesn't bother the fish as much as I thought it might.

Paul

[gigolot]

trolling valves is the only way to go. You don't want to run your diesel to low of RPM because you don't get proper oil pressure.

[Bay Fishin]

I would say trash can or a 55 gallon plastic drum if you can find one.

[Sweet Caroline]

Run your sea anchor off the midship cleat and that will keep it out way when you are fighting the fish. You can also go off of the bow with trip line to pull the sea anchor up if you want to run to a different spot, just let it hang on the side of the boat. If your oil pressure is an issue use a second bag and increase your RPM's. the only thing you really need to be careful of is the line legth. You want it just long enough to so the anchor will open but so so long so it interfere's with the props and water intake. If you keep you line short the sea anchor may pop under the boat but it will not stay there long. Usually this set up runs right next to the boat.