Low Speed / Tolling Valve Question

[Mr. Ed]

I'm about to finalize the build sheet for my R31S, and am curious about the benefits and possible downsides to the low speed valve.

As I understand it (from the Volvo Penta website and elsewhere) this valve allows for about 50% slippage in the clutch for engine speeds below a max of 1200 rpms. I like the idea of a slower minimum speed, especially for docking and close quarters maneuvering, but the concept of deliberate clutch slippage just seems like a bad idea from a wear and tear standpoint.

For folks who actually have this feature, please share your impressions/experiences, whether or not you like it, and also whether or not you would want it on your next boat.

Many thanks!

 

[Robvic]

We use it exclusively for fishing on our R-31- specifically trolling at speeds lower than would otherwise be available. I have never used it for docking, preferring to have the immediate ability of greater prop thrust when needed- the thrusters really make maneuvering relatively easy.

 

[Shano]

We have a trolling valve on our C30S but we do not use it much because we also have a 25hp Yamaha kicker. We we use the kicker for trolling although we did use the trollng valve once when the kicker wasn't working. I do know of some CW owners who use the trolling valve a lot and they do work well for either trolling or low speed docking etc.
We fish a lot so we prefer to put the hours on the kicker than on the diesel. We have 260 hours on our diesel and I'm guessing that we have 500+ hours on the kicker. I would much rather have the hours on the $5000 kicker. The volvo mechanics have told me that from an engine perspective as long as the engine is running at operating temperature the engine is fine running at low rpms for hours. Another diesel mechanic told me that if we were to use the trolling valve a lot then it would be wise to change the transmission fluid more frequently than the regular interval because the slippage has to create heat and heat breaks down the fluid. Maybe someone else here knows more about tranmissions than I do and would be able to give a more informed opinion. I have never used the trolling valve for docking because I never remember to turn it on! Also, our CW30 is much smoother to dock than our last boat (a Skagit Orca 27) which had a Volvo D4 and a duo-prop sterndrive which lurched forward when put in gear. The trolling valve came with the "Boat Show Special" so it was part of the package. For us, I wouldn't pay much extra to have one activated.

 

[Bobby P.]

I called Ranger Tug directly, because I am just about to purchase a 2017 R31CB with about 80 hours. I fish, and plan to do a good bit of trolling.
The mechanic I spoke with strongly encouraged the use of a kicker. He thought is was a tremendous waste of engine hours on the expensive Volvo and would increase maintenance etc...

Shano,
Can you explain your set up. Got any pics.

Thanks,
Bobby

 

[Cutwater28GG]

I have the trolling valve and use it for light fishing. Im no pro.

if I fished more the idea of a kicker would be better as it would give you a secondary get home engine too as well as lower main engine hours.

i bought a used boat with the trolling valve so I cant justify the expense of now adding the kicker.

 

[Mr. Ed]

Thanks everybody for the insights. I'm not a fisherman by any means... as one of my friends said once, "To catch a fish you have to be smarter than a fish." And clearly I'm not, unless the fish is in the case at the fishmonger's.

So, if I understand the consensus, the primary use for the low speed valve is fishing. Not really beneficial for anything else. Very grateful to the brain trust for helping me decide. Cheers!

 

[Shano]

I called Ranger Tug directly, because I am just about to purchase a 2017 R31CB with about 80 hours. I fish, and plan to do a good bit of trolling.
The mechanic I spoke with strongly encouraged the use of a kicker. He thought is was a tremendous waste of engine hours on the expensive Volvo and would increase maintenance etc...

Shano,
Can you explain your set up. Got any pics.

Thanks,
Bobby

Bobby I have sent you a PM.
Cheers,
Shane