Troll with Ranger 21EC

G

greenghost45

Active member
Joined
Oct 21, 2017
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Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C SE
Has anyone trolled for Salmon with a R21EC with a Yanmar 30? Just wondering if the Yanmar will troll or is kicker necessary?
Thanks!
 
My friend has the Yanmar in his 21 and that’s all he uses for fishing. I suspect anyone that adds a kicker that it’s as much for back up power/peace of mind. Although we have the Volvo, I even spoke to a Volvo rep about trolling speeds. He said the little diesels do just fine with it. He suggested running it under load after the trolling session, which is easy enough to do.
 
I have a 2014 21EC with the Volvo and I am using it to troll for salmon. I find it trolls a bit fast so I was wondering about getting a drogue to slow it down. What speeds are you finding yours trolls at?
 
I also have a 2014 and at the stock idle setting it was a little fast for trolling. I called the Volvo/Penta people that did my engine swap and they suggested turning the idle down to around 600 RPMs with the boat in gear. I took their advice and now my salmon trolling speed is just about right. For tuna I can set the throttle by hand. I leave the reduced idle setting where it is.
LIke others here I run the engine at cruise rpm under load for a few minutes every couple of hours.
I've also found that the lower idle speed helps out with boat handling in congested areas. You can keep positive steerageway at a lower speed.
The idle speed is simple to adjust. The directions should be in your engine manual but you can also probably eye-ball it and figure it out.
 
REO6205":3ljfkwif said:
I
The idle speed is simple to adjust. The directions should be in your engine manual but you can also probably eye-ball it and figure it out.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info,m I would love to lower my idle speed, but I did not get an owner's manual for the engine :cry:

If it isn't too much trouble could you please outline the procedure and I will attempt it tomorrow before I head out fishing! I agree it would also help with maneuvering at low speed! For a "turtle" our boat really moves at idle!!
lol

Thanks
 
I have the 2014 as well, with many hours of trolling on it. I troll 2 knots with no current which is fine for me most of the time. Does cutting back the RPM's to 600 increase engine vibration at all. Thanks.
 
PetDrs":1ypkfm3x said:
REO6205":1ypkfm3x said:
I
The idle speed is simple to adjust. The directions should be in your engine manual but you can also probably eye-ball it and figure it out.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info,m I would love to lower my idle speed, but I did not get an owner's manual for the engine :cry:

If it isn't too much trouble could you please outline the procedure and I will attempt it tomorrow before I head out fishing! I agree it would also help with maneuvering at low speed! For a "turtle" our boat really moves at idle!!
lol

Thanks
Click to expand...

I'll be down at the boat tomorrow and I'll try to take some pictures. Bring the engine to operating temp, loosen the lock nut on the throttle linkage at the engine, turn the adjustment until you reach desired RPM, re-tighten the lock nut. You might have to make a couple of adjustments to get it just right. On mine a no-load adjustment to 700 RPMs gives me an actual RPM of 600 in gear. V-P suggests not going below five hundred RPM because of oil pressure issues.

Please note that my figures aren't the "official" V-P specs. They're just the opinion of a mechanic I know that's probably worked on more V-P engines than most people. He also has a D1-30 in his sailboat. If I remember right V-P suggests 850 RPMs and if your boat has the five year warranty running non-spec settings might void it.

And you're right about the boat moving at idle. No weight, no draft, and a lot of area to catch the wind. They're a feather on the water and I've found that wind affects them more than current at times. That's where that over-sized rudder and the bow thruster can come in handy...use them right and you can make that little boat dance.
 
Newf":2mn9al2h said:
I have the 2014 as well, with many hours of trolling on it. I troll 2 knots with no current which is fine for me most of the time. Does cutting back the RPM's to 600 increase engine vibration at all. Thanks.
Click to expand...

There was a little increase in vibration right around 750 so I just kept below that and it seemed to find a smooth spot right at 600. At the stock idle that V-P calls for the engine shakes so bad that it worries me. I've found several "sweet spots" between idle and full cruise and that's where I usually run.
 
REO6205":29eow9xp said:
I'll be down at the boat tomorrow and I'll try to take some pictures. Bring the engine to operating temp, loosen the lock nut on the throttle linkage at the engine, turn the adjustment until you reach desired RPM, re-tighten the lock nut. You might have to make a couple of adjustments to get it just right. On mine a no-load adjustment to 700 RPMs gives me an actual RPM of 600 in gear. V-P suggests not going below five hundred RPM because of oil pressure issues.

Please note that my figures aren't the "official" V-P specs. They're just the opinion of a mechanic I know that's probably worked on more V-P engines than most people. He also has a D1-30 in his sailboat. If I remember right V-P suggests 850 RPMs and if your boat has the five year warranty running non-spec settings might void it.

And you're right about the boat moving at idle. No weight, no draft, and a lot of area to catch the wind. They're a feather on the water and I've found that wind affects them more than current at times. That's where that over-sized rudder and the bow thruster can come in handy...use them right and you can make that little boat dance.
Click to expand...

Thanks really appreciate the info. I'm itching to tweak the idle speed now, and thanks for the tip on the sweet spots!

Cheers!
 
PetDrs...I'm sorry but I have to renege on my offer of pictures for the throttle adjustment. I'm on my way to Louisiana to pick up a boat for delivery to South America.
When I get back I'll make a special effort to get the pictures if you haven't figured it out by then.
 
REO6205":2gzuo5iu said:
PetDrs...I'm sorry but I have to renege on my offer of pictures for the throttle adjustment. I'm on my way to Louisiana to pick up a boat for delivery to South America.
When I get back I'll make a special effort to get the pictures if you haven't figured it out by then.
Click to expand...

No problem at all! Have a great trip and I'm sure I will have figured it out before you get back! 😀

Cheers,

Jeff
 
The Scuttlebutt just got back from two weeks of. Salmon fishing at Sekiu Wa where I only use the yanmar diesel for trolling, I've been fishing for salmon since I purchased her in 2013 some say I go a bit fast, I say the big fish will catch up with me the proof is in the cooler I mounted on the swim platform check out my album ! Bob
 
bob daily":2fglzpag said:
say I go a bit fast, I say the big fish will catch up with me
Click to expand...

Nice fish!

What speed are you trolling at with the Yanmar idling?

Thanks,

Jeff
 
I just kick it in gear motor ideals at about 850-900 RPM,s speed depends on the ebb if I think I'm going too fast I just zig zag my speed is about the same as the rest of the boats! I fished for 16 days and burned 19 gal of diesel some days doing 8 to 10 hrs some just 4 to 6 only fueled up one time.
The best place to fall in love with the RT-21 is at the fuel dock!
 
This is a great topic.....I'm late getting here....new to the board.... With so many obviously using the 21EC for trolling, I need to ask for assistance.

Here in the Great Lakes the number of Ranger Tugs is limited....and when suggesting fishing as a potential
use.....well ....lets just say I get blank stares........

My 2013 21EC has the standard pair of rod holders........Any suggestions or pictures as to how to best set up this boat for trolling would be appreciated. A pair of downriggers would be my focus for our Salmon and Trout here......walleye and Muskie are around the corner in Green Bay.....

My specific questions would include:

Are extended length gimbal mounts available to get above the rail??
What configuration of rod holders work best?
How many of you use cockpit steering or autopilots?
Anyone use auxiliary motors?
Can you use a drift bag for speed reduction without killing boat control?

All other suggestions and comments are welcome.....thanks...
 
Hi Catch22--I use my 21EC strictly for fishing. The only stares I get is from those admiring the awesome little fishing boat.

I have Scotty downriggers, using Scotty mounts that clamp to the handrail and the vertical support just in front of the cockpit speaker. I use the rod holders mounted to the boom of the DR. I will put a photo in my album for you to see the set-up.

I have seen other downriggers mounted directly to the gunwale. A modification is made to have a removable section of the handrail to make this set-up work. Mounting to the gunwale is a stronger set-up than mine but the railing will handle the downriggers, unless like me, you snag the bottom and a few crab traps. ( I run 15lb balls.)

I do not have a kicker but have seen an older R21 in my area trolling with a kicker.

I have the Volvo-Penta in mine and it trolls around 2 Knots without current. I intend to try the adjustment noted in this thread to bring it down to 600 RPM to see how it runs in faster currents but I do get my share of fish as it is now at 850-900RPM.

I do not have cockpit steering but I can see how it would be useful, especially when trying to land fish when fishing solo.
 
Hi chetch 22 front the Scuttlebutt
If you look at my album you will see my cockpit steering and my down rigger mounts I use cannon downriggers I placed some rod mounts to the rail for storing poles and nets
 
Greetings NEWF.....

Your rails look like mine....the Scotty set-up looks quite simple......I don't have crab pots to dodge, and our nets are less numerous than previous..... I have generally run 12 or 15 # weights on my old Cannons also.....the rails feel pretty sturdy.......maybe time for new Scotty's.....how do you like yours??????

Where do you pull power from for your Scotty's.....additional battery or house or thruster???

My Yanmar seems to want to troll at closer to 2.4 Knots.....most of the time the bigger fish ( especially Steel Head)seem to agree with that faster pace, but I may try a drift bag to slow for the non takers....

and , yes, I can see cockpit steer or autopilot in my future.....anyone have any input on those?????

I appreciate the response...tight lines.....
 
Hello Bob

Actually have been to your album and admit to using you beautiful sunrise?/sunset? trolling pic of Scuttlebutt for my current screen saver.....visual motivation at its best.....

My rails are quite different than yours and do not lend themselves to cutting a removable section.....

Were your rails and rigger pads part of a "Northwest" factory fishing package??????

Also interested in the cockpit steering.....is it fly by wire or mechanical?......any info would be welcome.....

Thanks for your response and screen saver...........
 
To Catch-22
Thank you what an honor for you to use my picture
My hand railing are factory from 2009 and were removable port and stand and fwd of the swim platform which made it easy to install the rail system for the down rigger mounts,I ran the electrical from the house battery it stays charged since I use the yanmar for trolling.
My boat used a U Flex single cable rotary helm system, I ordered a T71FC helm and other hardware including a 10 in steering wheel from Amazon had to order the cable from a marine supply since it was special order my measurements were 18 ft and 6 ft total cost for dual station was a little over $500
I installed myself was not that big of a dog and pony show but was glad there was no witnesses
Worked great maybe next year I'll install throttle control
 
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