Trolling Plates

[Mink Islander]

I have a 100HP Yamaha 4stroke on the back of my 17 ft Montauk and was dragging buckets last summer to get down to trolling speed (2MPH +/-). Cheap and effective but a nuisance at times too.

Anyone have thoughts/experience with Trolling Plates. I must admit, I'm a bit reluctant to go drilling holes in my Yamaha to mount one but am curious what others' views are. Do they work well? Impact boat/engine performance/handling when not trolling and disengaged?

Alternatively, I'm thinking of switching over to a drift sock to create the needed drag.

Not even ice-in yet and I'm already planning for ice-out!