I'm considering putting a trolling motor on my starcraft islander 22. I'm curently using and easytroll troll plate which does a good job and I can get down to 1.0 mph with it using combo of trottle and trim. My boat has a 4.3 liter GM engine and a mercuiser alpha 1 drive I figure I burn about a gallon and hour trolling maybe a bit less. I have around 140 hours trolling on it this season. I'm thinking of putting a merc 9.8 bigfoot on it around 104 lbs. My questions are

1 Those of you that have had some expriance with this boat how do you feel hanging a hunderd pounds more on the transom would effect handling? plan to use and esay steer between outdrive and kicker

2. Anybody who has done a lot of trolling with a mercusier have you had any trouble with wear and tear on the gimble bearing or couplers or any other problem you atribute to long periods of idleing?

3. How are the newer 4 stroke trolling moters on fuel?

thanks for you input

Glen

i had a 22 islander up until last year and had a 15hp merc 4stroke on it. worked great, get the garelick eez-in bracket with the 15 inches of travel and an easy steer and go, it works no problem. mine is on drivers side and batteries are in transom on passenger side do it either side but also i did driver side because the livewell is on the passenger side, it off-sets that when it has water in it.
they don't use any fuel to speak of.

Thanks for your input Adrien. I have petty much decided to put on a trolling motor. On your islander did you use a 15" or a 20" shaft. I have look at bracket placement and it appears ethier one could work but think 20" would be better for easy of operation

Thanks again
Glen

you want a 20 inch shaft motor and the motor bracket with 15 inches of travel(not the one with 9.5inches)

Come in as close to your big motor as you feel comfortable don't put it way out on the corner, you won't be happy with that, trust me.

If you ever want to come take a look at mine i am always here at the farm just stop by, call first 603-785-6660 is my cell# i still have the islander and i'm planning to sell it this coming year. Maybe if you see how i had mine set up it may help you with yours. Good Luck on your modifications.

I also can take a picture of the back and post it for you if you want. Anything to help just let me know.

don't know if this helps or not but i can take a closer 1 if you like.

also to anyone interested in this boat drop me an e-mail and we can talk. no downriggers come with it but all the mounting plates do if you want the riggers too we could figure something out, i'm thinking of new ones next season.

Thanks again to everyone for their input. And the pic helps alot Adrien. I would like to take you up on you offer to look at you boat in the next couple weeks. I realy want to set this up right the first time. Also I work with 220 other guys here sombody is always looking for a boat so maybe can pass the infro on for you. Will give you a call in the next week or two thanks again you have been most helpful here

Glen

Nice Boat!
How much are you gonna sell the boat for?

i have no idea yet on a price i will have to check out some stuff first. i will post it when i come up with something.

I looked at values online and it will be in the $16,000 range with lowrance X-15 Fishfinder and GPS combo and a second gps and a radar. 4 downriggers and planer board reels may bring it up a bit more.

I just went through this on my boat, 9' sportscraft cuddy. The mounting of the garlock transon mount is very easy. It comes with a formula on shaft lenght and waterline so its a no brainer. I got the black 4 stroke version rated at 134 lbs i think with an 8 hp motor @ 84lbs. It works fine but is a tad overkill you have to push down hard to get the last notch in and pull up hard to get the top notch in. But it is a quality unit. I trailer my 8 on the braket no problem. You'll also want a "control king" for the speed control,again veryy easy to hook up.
Have fun
Whip

thanks Whip

As far as the 4 stroke and gas I have a 9.9HP merc.4 stroke on a 19 foot lund and it uses nothing for gas and they are very quiet and can get my boat down to .6 mph and run like that all day with out fouling a plug.You can't go wrong with a 4 stroke.Good luck.

Erin