Trolling Plate ?

[waleyes4-u]

My family just purchase a 16' 1991 Alumacraft Dominator with 60hp Evinrude. Right now we are setting it up for trolling. The funds are a little low for purchasing a kicker motor. My question is how good are trolling plates and any suggestions on what brand to purchase?

[River Rat]

I have a Happy Troller on my 60 yamaha on a 16 foot explorer. I modified it by cutting a few inches of the plate off then milling 2 slots in it and then adding on a plate and securing it with wing nuts so I can slide the plate up and down to compensate for the amount of current in the river. If I would have left it with the stock plate on I would have had to rev the heck out of the motor to get any speed due to the current. With out the plate the boat goes way too fast. The only thing is you have to pull up to a sand bar to change the length of the plate if it is not right.
I am not sure how much your boat weighs so you might not have to modify it, but go with an aluminum trolling plate. The plastic ones suck. I hope I explained what I did to the plate clearly enough for you. E-bay sometimes has them fairly cheap.