Just finished adding hydraulic steering to the trolling motor. Tapped into the existing steering with a 6 way solenoid valve. The valve allows steering from MAIN or TROLLING. With this setup and the Raymarine X-10 autopilot, the trolling motor can now be steered by the autopilot.
Here are a few things we learned:
*Outboard trolling - When trolling with the wind and in calm seas the autopilot steers fine. Sometimes going upwind caused the bow to push and the autopilot would fault out because the rudder can't bite enough water to steer the course. Not good with lines out. Used the stern thruster with some success to compensate but have to be at the wheel all the time. Ended up using the main engine when wanting to go upwind.
*Have to shut off electronics BEFORE starting main engine. Voltage brown out caused S1G autopilot computer to wig out. Lost rudder reference bar at bottom of display on ST8200 smartpilot control head. Had to do a dealer cal to fix it.
*Sirius weather receiver works great. Tracked a few storm cells and were able to determine that we wouldn't get hit.
*Fish Hawk X4 worked like a charm. It is a great tool to find the speed on top, down at the ball, and where the thermocline is.
*The homemade PVC rod holders work well for a copper down the chute.
One of the Big Jons worked good the first day, and then wouldn't come 'up' the next day. They sent me a new complete switch cap...FREE. All I gotta do is send the old one back.
Just installed a Control King remote throttle controller but haven't had a chance to get out yet.
In the process of making a PVC stand to mount a cooler on the swim platform. Gonna put a "Salmon Coffin" sign on it.
Going fishing tomorrow!!!!!
Hello All,
We just found out that Surface Interval, was selected as the SeaLebrity Profile Pick of the Day at TheBoaters.TV.com on December 10. Whoo hoo!
Dennis registered the boat at TheBoaters.com just for fun. Each week the producers pick one boat to show off.
TheBoaters.TV is a 6-8 minute online show and podcast delivered in streaming video file format.
Julie’s TheBoaters.com Sealebrity Profile Pick of the Day Captain Dennis (aka Diver Dennis), and his 1975 Marinette Express, Surface Interval The SP pick of the day is 40 seconds long at the end of the video. Click here to watch: http://www.theboaters.tv/2007/12/10/75-hugo-boss-close-call-in-barcelona-world-race-miami-mermaids-mania-avoiding-sailboat-sinkings/
Now we are Sealebrities,
Dennis & Beth
My hat color = Navy
Video taped the Montana, Barge #1, Grecian, Flint, and Monrovia in summer 2006. Finished dvd 9/20/2007 and is on eBay. search for: SCUBA DIVE ALPENA HURON GRECIAN MONTANA NOAA VIDEO DVD
