so what's the deal? i need to slow the boat down for the tube & worm. do i need to cut a few holes in the bottom of the bucket? just 1 bucket or 1 on each side. i'm thinking they should be on a short leash to avoid fouling the prop. any thoughts would be appreciated thanks folks

i don't really have a slow issue. but i bump the motor in and out of gear to stay at about 1.5mph, sometimes i get too slow.

i would keep a short leash on a 5 gallon bucket though, ive read some horror stories.

do you have trim tabs?

http://www.thehulltruth.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=8915&posts=35&highlight=trolling%20slow&highlightmode=1#M72616

trim tabs are on the winter project list

try tilting the motor up to slow the push.
no need to put holes in the bucket,
I agree that they do add another obstacle.

get a drift anchor and drag it about five feet back. slows it right down and clears the props fine on the turns.

We did the 5 gallon bucket thing for 1 season b4 we had the troll valve installed on our boat. We removed the handles as they will rip of after time - drill out the handle holes and splice in a new rope handle. We also ran a trip line to the bottom of the bucket, so that way it was much easier to pull up the buckets even under way.
Be careful not to forget the buckets are deployed - every now and then after the lines were up, we would hit the throttles and soak everyone in the cockpit.
Troll valve is much, much better - but the buckets will slow you down.

gentlmen thanks for all the help. i'll give it a go in the am. tight lines, paul

My sister in laws TRIPLE ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ BRA will not only slow your boat down but this piece of fabric will make a Tusnami feel like a soft breeze on your cheek, and oh yea it's been tested they don't call me the MISSING LINK for nothing
Later ML Sr.:walk:

get a drift anchor and drag it about five feet back. slows it right down and clears the props fine on the turns.


This is what I use too.........but I tie it off my bow cheat and run it along side about 1/2 to 2/3 the length of the boat. That way there is no way it will get in the prop. If you tow it off the stern there will definitately be a time during the day/night when you forget about it. Then someone is swimming to get it clear of the prop.

This is what I use too.........but I tie it off my bow cheat and run it along side about 1/2 to 2/3 the length of the boat. That way there is no way it will get in the prop. If you tow it off the stern there will definitately be a time during the day/night when you forget about it. Then someone is swimming to get it clear of the prop.

Maybe I am misreading, but wouldn't that bucket bang against the side of the boat like that? I get scuff marks on my hull just from the fenders rubbing my fiberglass at the dock.

Maybe I am misreading, but wouldn't that bucket bang against the side of the boat like that? I get scuff marks on my hull just from the fenders rubbing my fiberglass at the dock.

not a bucket, a drift sock-sea anchor. whatever you want to call it there soft ..

yup, I misread it. Figures.

Yup, I'm in agreement.

I have a drift anchor its like 45-55" diameter, I tie it on the side cleat so it cant reach the prop. I just have to compensate steering to one side to stay straight. But it folds up and stores well, dont bang the boat, and cuts speed in half.