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MFF US Northeast => Maine => Topic started by: porkpiehat on Dec 03, 2017, 11:26 PM

Title: whaler for trolling?
Post by: porkpiehat on Dec 03, 2017, 11:26 PM
I'm about to buy a 17' whaler (or McKee) for both fresh and salt water now that I'm fishing RI in the fall more. Does anyone troll the lakes in one?
Title: Re: whaler for trolling?
Post by: Mac Attack on Dec 03, 2017, 11:36 PM
Trolled for walleye in one with a 60hp Yamaha 4stroke for 3 yrs.
It was 16' though
Old Whaler but new motor
Trolled great

Mac
Title: Re: whaler for trolling?
Post by: filetandrelease on Dec 04, 2017, 04:23 AM

A bud had an 18’ McKee we trolled for trout and salmon on Lake Ontario  , trolled great , in rougher water they don’t cut through like a deep V , just takes a little longer to get to your destination, solid boats
Title: Re: whaler for trolling?
Post by: fishlessman on Dec 04, 2017, 10:41 AM
wind at iceout makes for one really cold and wet ride in a whaler, they perform better at sea than on a windy lake with 33 degree water
Title: Re: whaler for trolling?
Post by: porkpiehat on Dec 04, 2017, 01:01 PM
wind at iceout makes for one really cold and wet ride in a whaler, they perform better at sea than on a windy lake with 33 degree water

My thought is that in rough/windy days, my 16' lund gets tossed around a lot because it's so light. It rolls but feels overall stable. but the wind takes it and turns it around when I'm fighting the fish. My thinking is that A 17' whaler is much heavier and will do less of this. I think the newer hulls have less of a rough ride, but they plane pretty well and are made for rough housing.

Never driven one though. I would be wearing snowpants, waders and a parka. The center console has a high windshield, but I guess you're less exposed sitting down shielded by aluminum gunwales...Is that what you meant?
Title: Re: whaler for trolling?
Post by: fishlessman on Dec 04, 2017, 01:22 PM
my exprience was in an older montauk,  it took in a good amount of water heading into a heavey wind. most of the year im not to worried about that but iceout and heavey wind would be my maine concern. it doesnt cut thru the water like a deeper vee lund. now that was an older boat, have not been in a newer 17. i like to be comfortable, i fish an eastern lobster boat with full cuddy and roof.
Title: Re: whaler for trolling?
Post by: porkpiehat on Dec 04, 2017, 02:15 PM
my exprience was in an older montauk,  it took in a good amount of water heading into a heavey wind. most of the year im not to worried about that but iceout and heavey wind would be my maine concern. it doesnt cut thru the water like a deeper vee lund. now that was an older boat, have not been in a newer 17. i like to be comfortable, i fish an eastern lobster boat with full cuddy and roof.

Oh I would love a roof and cabin! I fish alone too much to store and launch that stuff
Title: Re: whaler for trolling?
Post by: fishlessman on Dec 04, 2017, 03:01 PM
my eastern is the smallest they did with a cabin, 19 foot, drafts about 12 inches. ive been towing it since 92 with a small dakota v6 (125 hp).  was at the boston boat show and i was down to a year old eastern and a new montauk whaler. it really came down to the whaler dealer pissing me off. its like your lund though, a side wind swings it right around
Title: Re: whaler for trolling?
Post by: porkpiehat on Dec 04, 2017, 07:52 PM
haha what was the Whaler dealer like?
I'm looking at an outrage in addition to the Montauk. I think it's got a deeper v in the middle "hull".
Title: Re: whaler for trolling?
Post by: JDK on Dec 05, 2017, 07:59 AM
Growing up, I fished the Watch Hill reefs out of a 13 sport and a 17 Montauk.  As fishlessman said, the 17 was wet but solid.  IMHO it was a "big" 17 footer.  They pounded your brains out however.   Can't see where they wouldn't work for trollling.  Had a ball in both and some hairy times in that 13. 
Title: Re: whaler for trolling?
Post by: fishlessman on Dec 05, 2017, 08:32 AM
google whaler montauk bow dodger

i would put a dodger on the front for iceout fishing, then take it off the rest of the year
Title: Re: whaler for trolling?
Post by: NewportMe on Mar 21, 2018, 12:42 PM
I have trolled in a 17' Newport (same hull as montauk) and currently troll in a 22' outrage. Well trolling in the wind is a PITA on any boat. I cant think of any real drawbacks, but regardng the wind the 17' boats have a pretty low freeboard so wind shouldn't be a huge concern.

Bruce
Title: Re: whaler for trolling?
Post by: porkpiehat on Mar 21, 2018, 01:39 PM
so I'm guessing a t-top would add the that problem? I'll need either that or a bimini. the t-top would give me some bones to put some custom canvas on. I'm also getting a bow-mounted trolling motor with ipilot to hold course when I'm fishing alone, and to "anchor" while jigging.
Title: Re: whaler for trolling?
Post by: joefishmore on Mar 22, 2018, 08:14 AM
T top is in the way for casting and offers very little protection plus 17 foot is kind of small for one.
Title: Re: whaler for trolling?
Post by: porkpiehat on Mar 22, 2018, 11:10 AM
I"m almost leaning now towards the full mills enclosure, based on the bimini, which can at least be folded out of the way when needed. beacoup cash for the set up though.
Title: Re: whaler for trolling?
Post by: boondox on Mar 22, 2018, 03:06 PM
Don't think you can go wrong with a whaler??
Title: Re: whaler for trolling?
Post by: porkpiehat on Mar 22, 2018, 08:37 PM
T top is in the way for casting and offers very little protection plus 17 foot is kind of small for one.

I don't really understand why people say that my boat is too samll for a t top. the 170 is longer and wider than the classic 17' (more stable when at rest), and most of the t-tops made for it are lightweight and sized for the boat itself. It also provides rodholders, which would be useless when a bimini is up. What is the rationale?

Thanks
Title: Re: whaler for trolling?
Post by: fishlessman on Mar 23, 2018, 08:34 AM
I don't really understand why people say that my boat is too samll for a t top. the 170 is longer and wider than the classic 17' (more stable when at rest), and most of the t-tops made for it are lightweight and sized for the boat itself. It also provides rodholders, which would be useless when a bimini is up. What is the rationale?

Thanks

its fine for trolling setups, those that want to cast for bass its in the way.  extra rod storage, a place to mount planer board setups, keeps me out of the sun, all good things for a trolling boat
Title: Re: whaler for trolling?
Post by: NewportMe on Mar 23, 2018, 12:50 PM
The mills setup is great I have the Bimini and the front dodger for my 22' outrage. One other thing to consider is if you have a T-Top the boat may not fit into garage ( if that is an option )  I love my Whaler, the 17' was very stable for its size, but as the kids got larger so did the boat.

Bruce
Title: Re: whaler for trolling?
Post by: porkpiehat on Mar 23, 2018, 01:09 PM
did you get the windshield piece also? Did you go with the Mills bimini or somehting more affordable?
Title: Re: whaler for trolling?
Post by: boondox on Mar 23, 2018, 01:53 PM
Why not just put a radar arch/rod holders  on and have a canvas made to strech from the arch to front boat cleats  make sure to put a window in it .. if your trolling you can at least seak shade under the canvas could be cheaper then a Bimini??   cause some of those whalers have a high grab rail on front..to ware you could get under the canvas while trolling or at anchor to avoid sun..  reason I say canvas is you would need a window swen in but a tarp would do the same??  I would go center concel with a tight to the concel. Radar type arch put rod holders on the back of it for trolling. .   like for lead core and storage..  to get lead core rods up and arms length out of the way but leaves back of the boat un covered for trolling  just a suggestion  but could be very functional if done right.. so the arch be comes the prop up point or pole in a tent  so you can also attach to the gunaul or sides of the boat.. just depend what boat you get if you can do it??
Title: Re: whaler for trolling?
Post by: porkpiehat on Mar 23, 2018, 06:08 PM
Why not just put a radar arch/rod holders  on and have a canvas made to strech from the arch to front boat cleats  make sure to put a window in it .. if your trolling you can at least seak shade under the canvas could be cheaper then a Bimini??   cause some of those whalers have a high grab rail on front..to ware you could get under the canvas while trolling or at anchor to avoid sun..  reason I say canvas is you would need a window swen in but a tarp would do the same??  I would go center concel with a tight to the concel. Radar type arch put rod holders on the back of it for trolling. .   like for lead core and storage..  to get lead core rods up and arms length out of the way but leaves back of the boat un covered for trolling  just a suggestion  but could be very functional if done right.. so the arch be comes the prop up point or pole in a tent  so you can also attach to the gunaul or sides of the boat.. just depend what boat you get if you can do it??

the radar arch is an interesting idea. i already bought a 2003 Montauk 170 center console with no bimini or t top. Some kind of shade will be necessary as will some eisenglass; it is too open for cold windy days and a wet ride in general. I bought this thing thinking it could be draped over a t-top in whole or at least some components to act as a dodger and windshield. Check it out:

http://www.alekoproducts.com/BWTENT420G-Winter-Canopy-Boat-Tent-Gray-p/bwtent420g-ap.html


(https://s9.postimg.org/d05ko2q4r/image.png) (https://postimg.org/image/d05ko2q4r/)
Title: Re: whaler for trolling?
Post by: porkpiehat on Mar 23, 2018, 06:10 PM
that being said, a t-top would limit my striper/saltwater fishing.
Title: Re: whaler for trolling?
Post by: NewportMe on Mar 24, 2018, 10:15 AM
I have the Mills, it was on the boat when i bought it. I do not have the windshield or side skirts for the canvas, just the bimini and dodger. I rarely use the dodger, and if it is cold we just layer up. I have the bimini up most of the time for sun and rain protection.

Bruce
Title: Re: whaler for trolling?
Post by: woodchip1 on Mar 27, 2018, 06:44 PM
My 18' StarCraft center console and galvanized trailer elec winch needs floor  boards and motor has a Bimini top To big for me $2500.oo by it today.
Title: Re: whaler for trolling?
Post by: METOVT on Mar 28, 2018, 09:18 AM
I had an 18.5' Wahoo Offshore with 150 mariner. Trolled in ocean and lakes. It was a center console with a windshield and also had 3/4 enclosed canvas. It boated its fair share of fish. It was a heavy boat but in rough water you would not want to sit in the bow. Even with the pad it made for a rough ride!
Title: Re: whaler for trolling?
Post by: woodchip1 on Mar 28, 2018, 10:39 AM
Mine has a 75 susuki  It has worked well for 25 yrs, But needs a started and its too costly a repair for an older motor so I plan to sell the whole unit
Title: Re: whaler for trolling?
Post by: fishlessman on Mar 28, 2018, 12:57 PM
Mine has a 75 susuki  It has worked well for 25 yrs, But needs a started and its too costly a repair for an older motor so I plan to sell the whole unit
  rebuilt starters are about a hundred bucks, the rebuild shop near me usually has a couple on the shelf and just turns them over when you bring your old starter in
Title: Re: whaler for trolling?
Post by: woodchip1 on Mar 28, 2018, 06:42 PM
I was told a bit more nearer a grand, That's why I want out.
Title: Re: whaler for trolling?
Post by: Mac Attack on Mar 28, 2018, 06:51 PM
Not sure if this will fit yours -

https://www.dbelectrical.com/products/starter-suzuki-marine-outboard-50hp-60hp-75hp-85hp.html (https://www.dbelectrical.com/products/starter-suzuki-marine-outboard-50hp-60hp-75hp-85hp.html)


In any event..........a grand!!!

 :w00t:
Title: Re: whaler for trolling?
Post by: stguy on Mar 28, 2018, 07:13 PM
I was told a bit more nearer a grand, That's why I want out.

What fishlessman said.....Buko starter in Lewiston is a couple minutes away from my shop, I can get it from you saturday and drop it off for you if you want??

They've done several starters and alternators for me and have been very happy with them.
Title: Re: whaler for trolling?
Post by: woodchip1 on Mar 28, 2018, 07:21 PM
The boat motor and trailer are 1987s and I register 6 other boats  Its just to big for me with all the other boats I have decided to give it up. Motor ran good but where I took it they went over it and told me another grand  to fix it looks like some one could get it going a lot less money.
Title: Re: whaler for trolling?
Post by: Mac Attack on Mar 28, 2018, 07:37 PM
So the one I posted will fit.

For $126

Free shipping too.
Title: Re: whaler for trolling?
Post by: woodchip1 on Mar 28, 2018, 07:57 PM
That was a great site  I'll keep the link and who ever buys the boat I'll give them the option. If I was to keep the boat I would have gone with a new atec  or 4 cycle motor
Title: Re: whaler for trolling?
Post by: joefishmore on Mar 29, 2018, 10:11 AM
You have 6 other boats ?
Good thing you have 40 acres.
Title: Re: whaler for trolling?
Post by: fishlessman on Mar 29, 2018, 02:29 PM
woodchip1

you need a new mechanic ;D  i just had a 1970 fork truck starter redone for 150.  granted it took me a half hour to swap out
Title: Re: whaler for trolling?
Post by: boondox on Mar 29, 2018, 03:36 PM
. It was a heavy boat but in rough water you would not want to sit in the bow.

That's why a few guy I know like those high grab rail on the whalers also know as the up chuck rail ... lol's  kinda like the Lowe fm 1650 my dad's friend bought the counsel is smack dab on the wrong side of the ballance beem and turn thd boat in to a up chuck machine in stead of a fishING machine.. that fm stood for fishing machine by the way in his model numbe lol's never seen my dad's friend or my dad that sick 4 to 5  foot high  rollers on lake erie.. on a east wind wind 11 to 15 mph out of the east..  with a full tank of fuel me my dad and his buddy had the eninge in the water while the front bow bobbed up and down like a cork.. pretty funny sight when the bow of the boat is at a 90* to the water 80% of the time..   :o