DAVIS Happy Troller User Manual

#460 LARGE
#461 SMALL

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

Be sure you have the right model of Happy
Troller®for your boat.

Large size fits inboard/outboard and outboard motors
50 hp and larger.

Small size is for 20–50 hp.
For boats under 20 hp, see Lil’ Fella

™

, product #462.

Step 1: Remove the four 1/4" (64 mm) mounting bolts, wash-

ers, and nuts from package and retain for installation.

Step 2: Pull control handle and allow troll plate to move down

into troll position. CAUTION: Troller is spring

loaded; don’t pinch your fingers.

Step 3: Locate the anti-cavitation plate on your motor or out-

drive. It’s the wide flange directly above the propeller.
Mount the Happy Troller on the underside when pos­sible, but with some designs it must go on top.

Step 4: With the troller plate locked in the down position,

place Troller on the anti-cavitation plate and move as
far forward as possible without causing interference
with the Troller release mechanism. Prior to drilling,
pull cord making sure the locking bar moves all the
way forward to the end of its slots. Square up the
Troller and use two small “C” clamps to hold it
securely in place for drilling. Note: Use the two for­ward mounting holes and whichever two of the four
rear holes that will work best on your application. On
Volvo outdrives with hollow anti-cavitation plates,
longer 1/4" x 2" (.65 x 5.1 cm) bolts than provided will
be needed. CAUTION: Locate Troller so that rub-

ber exhaust flap on older Volvos has clearance to
fully open with the Troller locked in the down
position.

Step 5: Using a 1/4" (6.5 mm) drill bit, and using punched

hole as a guide and keeping bit square, drill straight
through the anti-cavitation plate. Before proceeding
to the next hole, insert a 1/4" (6.5 mm) bolt from the
mount plate side and lightly tighten the nut and wash­er on the anti-cavitation plate side. Repeat this proce­dure for the three remaining holes. Tighten all four
bolts, but be careful not to over-tighten. The nylock
nuts are self-locking and will not work loose. If the
hole pattern in the Troller does not work for your anti­cavitation plate, feel free to drill new holes in the
Happy Troller to obtain the best possible fit. Do not

attempt to modify your anti-cavitation plate.

Step 6: Uncoil Troller cord and tie off securely in a conve-

nient location, preferably in the center of the stern of
your boat. Leave enough slack in the cord to per-

mit full turn without accidental operation of the
Troller, but tie short enough to prevent the cord
from getting caught in the propeller.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

Always lubricate moving parts before each day’s
use.

Step 1: We recommend keeping your Troller in the down

position for storage and trailering.

Step 2: Before launching your boat, make certain the Happy

Troller is in the up position. To accomplish this, pull
the control lever forward with one hand and lift up the
troll plate with the other hand, release the locking bar
as you lift up the troll plate, allowing it to “lock” in
position. After launching, visually check to make

sure the Troller is up before getting underway.

Step 3: Ready to troll?

(a). Bring boat to a full stop.

(b). Place motor in neutral.

(c). Pull control cord and hold for a few seconds
while the springs move troll plate to the down posi­tion, then release.

(d). Shift to forward gear and slowly adjust throttle for
proper trolling speed. Damage will occur if sudden

throttle is applied or engine is operated over 1200
RPM.

Step 4: Finished trolling?

(a). Reduce speed to dead idle.

(b). While still in forward gear, pull control cord. You
should feel a sudden movement forward as the troll
plate is released.

(c). Stop and visually check to make sure the troll
plate is locked in the up position.

(d). Slowly proceed to cruising speed. If drag is felt,
stop immediately and check Troller position.

Be sure to carefully follow these instructions. Neither the man­ufacturer or re-seller are responsible for the correction of any
damage incurred to the boat, engine, anti-cavitation plate,
lower drive, propeller, or the Troller. The trolling plate is

designed to bend to prevent damage to the anti-cavitation
plate if the recommended engine RPM is exceeded.

ONE-YEAR WARRANTY

We warrant our products to be free of defects in material and
workmanship for one year from the date of original purchase.
Write for full warranty details.

Save These Instructions

#460 LARGE
#461 SMALL

PARTS LIST

Happy Troller®replacement parts may be

available through your local dealer. If not, you
may order directly from Davis Instruments
Corporation.

3465 Diablo Avenue, Hayward, CA 94545, U.S.A.

Phone [phone] • Fax [phone]

[e-mail]

For information about our other fine products, visit www.davisnet.com

Part Order Description Qty.

Number per Unit

1 R460A Backplate for large Troller, anodized aluminum 1

R461A Backplate for small Troller,

anodized aluminum 1

2, 3 Control Cord and Swedge

4 Ring Pins,

stainless steel (4)

5 Locking Bar Springs, stainless steel (2)

6, 7 Lowering Springs, stainless steel (2)

07395.172 Rev. C April 2006

Happy Troller

®

Parts Kit, product
#468