Do trolling plates work?

[Ohio Angler]

I'm thinking about investing in a trolling plate for my 90 H.P. 2 stroke Mercury and I was hoping for some feedback on how well they reduce speed for trolling and how they affect the performance of the boat when the plate is not lowered.Thanks in advance for any comments.

[Rowdy]

I have a hydro troll on a 16.5ft bomber with a 90 hp Force. without it 3mph was as slow as I could get. With it I can get to .8 by GPS. get some extra shear pins, some time they do not lock in at high speed,and it will shear them!
The book says easy to replace on the water, but you better have some long arms!
I cant tell lots of differance on top end.but it does not back up to good with the plate down.

Rowdy

[J White]

I ran one on my old boat for years, worked well enough.
It was a little aggravating when a cross wind would catch the bow
and push it sideways - so I'm gonna try something else on the next one,
if need be I'm gonna try dragging small drift socks off the bow cleats.
Supposedly that helps with wind/control issues. If that doesn't work out,
I'll go back to a plate in a minute :D

[Sandman]

&ell NO!!!!

[Speck]

I have a hydro troll on a 16.5ft bomber with a 90 hp Force. without it 3mph was as slow as I could get. With it I can get to .8 by GPS. get some extra shear pins, some time they do not lock in at high speed,and it will shear them!
The book says easy to replace on the water, but you better have some long arms!
I cant tell lots of differance on top end.but it does not back up to good with the plate down.

Rowdy

I've had the same results as Rowdy with my 90 h.p. Yamaha. Without the Hydrotroll trolling plate, I could only idle around 3 mph with it, I can get as slow as I want.