Trolling/slow speed drive/maneuvering ZF Gears

Bob - what engine controls and thus trolling function controls does your new boat have? I have the ZF 650 gears with the ZF controls. The trolling function works great if you need slower than idle speed. On my controls, when I go into troll mode the throttle lever now controls trolling speed. It does this by reducing clutch pressure via a bypass. It will go from zero clutch pressure which obviously means no shaft RPM, up to about 50 psi. For my boat, with only one engine running I get troll speeds from zero to around 3 kts. If you continue to apply throttle when in troll mode it will increase clutch pressure until you reach a point where the clutches fully engage and you are basically back to same as normal idle speed.
Some guys like troll mode for slowing down in Marinas and docking. I personally do not like it for that as the reaction time is too slow for my liking. That being said, my marina is small so I have a very short trip to be out in the Chanel where we are allowed 7 knots until out of town.

We have them on 60 sportfish with c18. When in troll mode the motors idle a little higher and the throttle required to produce propeller rotation is greatly exaggerated. For example, just engaging in low forward will barely produce any boat motion. Full throttle will produce about 7 knots. Normal in gear is 6.5 knots. Gives you great slow spead adjustment. We only use it when kite fishing or deep dropping. Docking transmission is at normal setting with quick bumps in and out of gear.
As dockmaster said it adjusts oil pressure allowing slippage.
Motor rpm stay constant.
If you've had a sportfish before you'll find docking a bigger one is actually easier. They respond more slowly and predictably.

On most electronic controls you can select the idle RPMs you want to have in troll mode. On my C18s I can select from 550 to 1000. 1k is max allowable rpm when in troll mode due to heat generated by clutches slipping. I use 550 rpm and only one engine but my situation is much different. This is for trolling for salmon with downriggers. I’m looking for 2.0 to 2.5 knots max speed. The higher end for Coho and the lower end for Chinook.

Do you mean that half a knot can be relevant when fishing either one or the other type of salmon?
Not a fisherman myself, but that sounds very professional!

Much improved in which way, exactly?
I mean, what are you expecting from them that your cable controls couldn't do?

I agree, you are not a fisherman.

Half a knot may not sound like much but when you consider the main target is only 2 knots it’s a 25% difference. And when you are pulling different types of flashers or trying to get a certain roll on your bait it makes a big difference. And current plays a big roll in this as well.

More than happy to take your word for it.
I've only been out on fishing boats in a few occasions, and I'm pretty sure that the (professional) helmsman kept a much higher speed while trolling, anywhere from 5kts or so at "normal" idle, up to about 8 with a touch of throttles.
Then again, that was for fishing tunas and mahi-mahi, which I guess makes a helluva difference.

They work in reverse. They feel slow to respond which isn't the case.
It takes exaggerated throttle movement to get the boat to respond because of the slipping clutch. That exaggerated movement very close to a dock or boat is unnerving.

Don't use trolling valves to dock. Not enough control and ability to stop the boat. Too much slippage. I use both engaged in troll mode to navigate a long no wake zone or to fish. For salmon on my boat it is one engine using trolling valve engaged and rudder at a 12 to maintain a straight course. Both engines in fwd with valves engaged is too fast. As was mentioned earlier 1.5 to 2 knots is the target.

When docking set rudder to zero and bump in and out of gear. It takes getting used to on the 40. Boat handles great once familiar.

In my case, in close quarters I want my wheels to bite - with only bumps on the throttles. To me, having to use exaggerated throttle movements seems counter intuitive in careful close quarters manoeuvring. My Twin Disc Quick Shift transmissions have an express setting which I will not use in close quarters, much less the trolling valve setting.