Vitalidle

Sure put the fat guy on the web!!! It sure was nice being on the water again! Hmmm might have to try the anna tonight:thumb:

Jon be sure to ask Brom who outfished him in Cabo:p

Thanks guys! I am going to wait one more year on the kicker. I found out I need hydraulic steering if I want to have autopilot for both the kicker and the sterndrive. Going to have to save a few more bones for the hydraulic steering this year.

I haven't heard of that model before. Any chance google has any info? Hope you find your answers.

I was going to add an autopilot and kicker this year, but after looking into my options I need hydraulic steering if I want the autopilot to work for the main engine and the kicker:( I'm going to just add two new seats and reupholster my boat as well. Maybe add the hydraulic steering this year as well.

Has anyone heard about this? Maybe we can do some digging and find out more? http://fish.shimano.com/publish/content/global_fish/en/us/index/articles/feds_to_60_million.html

Well after some searching on various message boards it appears with an i/o application the autopilot won't work without the engine running. So it looks like my only option to control a kicker motor by autopilot is the TR1 gold. Of course the price tag is higher then the AP14R. I won't have autopilot with my main engine, but I guess I can live with that since I probobly would be using it only while fishing. Man nothing is easy and straight forward:(

I thought that was about ballpark. That makes the quote I received a bit out of line I think. I didn't realize it but watsons marine the guy I bought the polar craft from sells honda. Yeah thats gonna hurt some!lol. Here is a question for you all. If you have a autopilot like the ap14r and you link you kicker and i/o with somthing like ez steer linkage.....does the autopilot still work in this setup with the main engine shut down and no power steering with an i/o?

I might really be a fan of honda's now. Ouch just got a quote from a local shop for a suzuki! PRICE ON 2010 SUZUKI 9.9 HP TILLER 20" TILT , WITH TAX $3710. 25" $3760 I didn't pay much more then that for my etec 40 3 years ago. I think it was under 5 g's. Bromley didn't you pay like $2600 for yours?

Yeah your a big reason why Im considering this. I got to see first hand how well it works!! I have been doing some checking and the Honda and Suzuki both are 12 amp output the rest of them are 6 amp. I just wish the Honda came in blue! lol. I need to talk with you some before I make any purchases:D

Yeah my decision isn't soley based on saving fuel, but certainly is a part of it. To me the biggest reason is safety. Here in the U.P. we don't have the boating traffic you all have in the L.P. Here if you run into trouble it could be a long wait on the big water before help arrives. I would like to start running out to the big reef to fish lakers and its 20 plus mile run one way. It sure would be nice knowing you have an option if the main engine doesn't want to run.

Merry X-mas everyone:D

I agree!!! On a typical fishing weekend I will burn through 50 gallons of fuel trolling. Even if I cut that in half and I know it will probobly be 2/3rds thats extra money in my pocket. Also trolling with a i/o is hard on the drive shaft and coupler. Believe it or not but higher rpms is better then a slow troll. This adds to having to pull the lower unit and grease the splines on the shaft more often and check the alignment. I will usually do this twice a summer vs once. Also with all the extra hrs it puts on the motor it sure would be nice to put those hours on the kicker.

Okay want your opinions!! If you were to buy a new high thrust kicker for your boat today......what would be your choice and why between the different brands ie: Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Mercury, etc. Thanks.

I did some digging on the mount in your link and its only rated for about 80 pounds, so that won't work. I guess my only option is to have one fabbed up. You would think these would be an off the shelf item, but not every boat is built the same I guess.

Thanks Don. I don't have a pic of my transom, but I stole one off the internet. Too funny it even has a mount on the transom for a kicker. I probobly can have somthing fabbed up, but was curious if there was anything off the shelf that anyone was using. I haven't had much luck surfing the net that will work for my application. I think the long shaft would be the way to go as well. Probobly 25" shaft? I will have to measure I guess. Anyway here is a pic I found that is the same boat is mine. http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q23/vitalidle/myboat.jpg"]

Well I think Im going to break down and buy me a kicker and autopilot this winter for the boat. My question is what is everyone using to rig up with a swim platform? Its integrated not a bolt on. Is everyone using a custom made unit or off the shelf? Also I have decided the AP14R is the way to go as far as autopilot, but not sure on the kicker brand. Will go with the high thrust 9.9. Which brand and why? Seems like the zuke is a nice unit for the price. My cuz outfitted his boat this year with auto pilot and a kicker and its a must have for me now:D Thanks for any info.

sold

No, but I use their seasoning salts on everything:p

The upside maybe you will get more supporting members:D The downside is possibly less deals for us shoppers:( but I support the decision anyway.

I don't think there is much difference between the two as far as features go, but I do believe the screen is a tad smaller on the 500. I don't think you would be dissapointed with both those choices:D

Thanks! I think I might have it sold to a buddy here locally. His generator stator burnt up and its 450 bucks just to buy the stator. I would keep it if we hadn't run power into camp this year, but now it will just sit and I would much rather take a loss then have it sit and not get used that would be a shame.

I am very satisfied with the DX600. I bought a thru hull transducer for my big boat and used the transom ducer for the 16fter. My big boat will run 45mph and it holds bottom at 250ft depth. I haven't been deeper yet, so i don't know how deep it will hold bottom at speed. With the transom ducer its about 150ft at around 30mph. The only issue I have had is it will somtimes pick up the cannon balls and think its the bottom. I run the ridge back rattlers and they give off a pretty good signature in the water, so that could be part of the problem. I would buy another one:) Bethel had some great deals on raymarine stuff. I believe they are all sold out on the DX600's, but its worth checking as they were cheap.

Very nice! Hope ours looks half as nice at camp;)

Price drop: $700 takes it home:D