"Happy Troller" Your thoughts please...

Was out this morning and ran into motor trouble a half hour into our troll. After taking the motor apart I learned the plugs were fouled out. I have a 1989 75hp Mariner. I was told running for long periods of time at a low speed will cause this. This was my third outing this week. A friend suggested the "happy troller" he says I will be able to maintain trolling speed but with higher rpms witch will prevent the plugs from fouling out. I want to be back on the water by Saturday so before I run out and purchase one tomorrow have any of you guys used one of these before if so is what he is saying true? and how dose it affect the handling of the boat out there on the big pond. boat is a 18ft deep v. any info would be greatly appreciated

If you switch to Amsoil 2 stroke oil your plugs won't foul. I've been using it for 20 years in all my 2 stroke stuff and can't remember the last time I fouled a plug. No I don't sell it but I should. My 2 stroke stuff: 20 hp mercury old Artic Cat sled Ice auger 2 weed wackers leaf blower 2 chainsaws

If you really want to put a trolling plate on you motor, get a trol-a-matic. There is nothing to remember to pull before you full throttle. It is spring loaded so when you slow down it goes back down. You will lose a lot of handling at trolling speed. You will also have to drill 4 holes in the lower unit to mount it.

Here are a fews photos of what you cam expect to happen if you go with the Happy Troller. the photos show that the trolling plate bends oh and if you forget to release it just once you'll weaken the aluminum bending back straight. And over time the aluminum cracks from the thrust of the prop. Trolling socks don't crack but they will be in the way. A kicker is the way to go. The spark thing is okay when your trolling but running higher heat ranges at high RPMs for long periods of time can melt a hole in a piston.

I went thru a few of them since 78' The bucket thing works too, you still have full throttle capabilities if you suddenly need it. I cut out a hole in the center of the buckets. Ya you have to drill holes in the engines cavitation plate to mount the Happy troller. I would also keep a tank of trolling gas handy with a lesser oil mix that wouldnt foul the plugs then switch tanks to run in. They make a spring loaded trolling plate then you dont have to mess with the lanyard.

TRY INSTALLING ONE OR TWO RANGE HOTTER SPARK PLUGS. SOMETIMES JUST ENOUGH TO KEEP FROM FOULING OUT.

I have a 150hp stern drive so it's obviously a little different set up, but for whats it's worth here is how I set up my happy troller and trolling speed. The happy troller i purchased had two settings open and close, when closed boat control can be a problem, it was suggested to me from a fellow lake-linker that I cut a middle notch which will slow you down but allow you to steer the boat. I drilled two holes cut the notch out with a hacksaw and filled down the edges so it's a good fit for the arm. I also hang two home sewn (I wish I had a pic) drift socks off each side up front, I think it helps? slow me down and steadies the boat in the waves. I Have no down riggers or depth raider so I judge speed by gps and looking at the bend in my dipsey rods but I can idle down to too slow. J.J.

A happy troller will slow you down, but turning will be more difficult and you will use more gas.I ran that system for years before going to a 4 stroke kicker. Today I trolled @2.7 sog going south and 2.4 sog going north .Went 15/25 on 2&3 colors off the boards. 00 orange dodgers and peanut flies in LBB and green/gold doing the best. I based my speed on what I observed last year when maintaining 1.9 @ the ball on my subtroll. Speed up and see if that helps your plugs. A kicker will save you alot of gas MONEY OVER THE YEARS.

I have a cheap not so pretty way to see if a trolling plate will work on your 75HP motor. Just get a 5 gallon bucket with a good handle and tie about 4 feet of rope to the pail handle. Once you get where you're going and at trolling speed tie the other end of the rope to the boat transom, like the tie down strap u-bolt and throw the pail in. You'll slow the boat down significantly and be able to troll at a higher RPM at a good trolling speed. A 75HP two stroke though isn't a good combination for prolonged trolling unless it's a new direct inject motor. You'll have to drill holes in your motor cavitation plate to mount a happy troller. I hate drilling holes in a motor lower unit. If the pail trick works look into trolling bags. Good Luck