I used a few different trolling plates way back in the early \80’s. Had 2 Happy Trollers, one of which I ended up bending back flat and added some stainless angles to reinforce it after I forgot to trip it and the motor bent it.The motor that bent it was a 55hp Evinrude.So it doesn’t take much to bend one when you forget to trip the lock.I did crack a cavitation plate too. I forget if it was with a Happy Troller.Bottom line, I try to steer people toward a kicker.Why put all those hrs on your main motor?You probably don’t like what I’m posting and others use trolling plates with success.Me, I don’t like them.YMMVGood luck.