DiverDennis

Raymarine Reference Manual:

This manual gives information on the Raymarine SeaTalkNG system. It should be read in conjunction with the documents for the individual products that connect to SeaTalkNG.

http://www.raymarine.com/GetFile.aspx?fileId=400&categoryId=3

Autopilot came today. With work and school, homework, finals, I won't be able to start the install until this weekend at the earliest.

What control head did you get? I ordered an X-10 autopilot and ST70 control head from Marine Discount Center (eBay) the first week of Feburary. Got the X-10 a week later but it took 10 weeks for the ST70. They were out of stock and Raymarine took their time getting one out. Also had to order a 5 way spur connector (PN-A06064), 2 backbone terminators (PN-A06031), a SeaTalk2 adaptor cable (PN-A06048, E120 SeaTalk2 to X-10 seatalkNG) and a longer SeaTalkNG cable to go from the 5 way to the ST70 (PN-A06039).

Got it all hooked up and dealer calibrated. After the bottom paint dries we'll get out there for sea trials.

Mounted a 24V, 55 pound thrust, Navigator trolling motor on the transom to use as a stern thruster on our single screw. The thruster motor is completely out of the water when on plane. Sure helps around the docks...

Chart:

http://www.glangler.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=view_attachment&file_id=6101

Congrats on a successful seatrial and thanks for the report.

I was exploring Pro-Troll's website and happened across Salmon Fishing Tips from Dick Pool. Good read.

Here are the valve specs and a description of it's operation...http://www.hydraforce.com/Solenoid/Sol-pdf/1-640-1.pdf

From the helm pump the hoses connect to 1 & 4. 2 & 3 go to the main cylinder and 6 & 5 go to the trolling cylinder. When the solenoid is energized, the flow is blocked between 2&3 and permitted at 6&5.

Operating pressure: 3000 psi

Max flow rate: 2gpm

Waterproof solenoid current draw: initial 1.22, hold <1

Does this guy do Perch seiminars anywhere?

March 27th Fish On Bait & Tackle Open House 8am-5pm

Food and Beverage

Seminars-Big Lake Fishing 9-4 (call for tickets)

*Brain Butts

*Willis Kerridge

*Chip Klein

*Dick Griffin

*Bill Bale

Limited Seating Available ($20)

Looks good Dennis. You might want to think about heading farther south in April. Muskegon doesn't really have any coho so the fishing doesn't get good there until the water warms a little. May is better than April. I usually try to head to St. Joe or South Haven if I fish in April.

Thanks for the advice. Our first trip will be a shakedown outing. Have to "learn" the autopilot and the water needs to be calm. Muskegon Lake will offer calm conditions to do the seatrials.

We did a road trip on Sunday down to D&R Sports for a salmon clinic with the Best Chance Too guys (Bill Bale and Dave Engel). Then we headed down to New Buffalo to check out the marina and launch. Gonna check out SH/SJ next weekend.

DD

Thanks Mike.

Our first trip will be at Muskegon in April.

Hello All,

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. Let's go fishin'

Hi,

We are wondering what marina to use at New Buffalo for a 7 nite stay over the 4th of July. Oselka or Muncipal?

Thanks.

...quickly went to 6+ @ 120fow....

...If the current weather pattern lasts, we will leave on Friday and stay thru Monday...

GRAND HAVEN TO WHITEHALL MI

THU NOV 12 2009

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING

FRIDAY - SOUTH WINDS 15 TO 20 KNOTS. MOSTLY SUNNY. WAVES 3 TO

5 FEET.

FRIDAY NIGHT - SOUTH WINDS 15 TO 20 KNOTS. PARTLY CLOUDY. WAVES

3 TO 5 FEET.

SATURDAY - SOUTH WINDS 15 TO 20 KNOTS VEERING SOUTHWEST 5 TO

15 KNOTS LATE IN THE DAY. MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF SHOWERS. WAVES 3 TO 5 FEET.

*******************************

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND RAPIDS MI

THU NOV 12 2009

GRAND HAVEN TO WHITEHALL MI

516 AM EST THU NOV 12 2009

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHWEST LOWER MICHIGAN.

TONIGHT....SOUTH WINDS OF 15 TO 20 KNOTS WILL BUILD WAVES TO

HEIGHTS HAZARDOUS TO SMALL WATER CRAFT NORTH OF GRAND HAVEN.

FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY

SOUTH WINDS OF 15 TO 20 KNOTS FRIDAY WILL KEEP WAVE HEIGHTS

HAZARDOUS TO SMALL WATER CRAFT NORTH OF GRAND HAVEN UNTIL EVENING. WINDS WILL DECREASE AND WAVE HEIGHTS WILL SUBSIDE AFTER THAT.

...Give Paul Jensen a call. He will know what nets are still out...

...pulled 2 stealies and 8 kings in 150 fow yesterday out by the nets. all came on spoons

Sounds like a bargain.

Can someone please advise on the Muskegon marina(s) that are still open for transients? If the current weather pattern lasts, we will leave on Friday and stay thru Monday. Prefer the west side of Muskegon Lake.

Talked to Torresen Marina and the guy told me their shower facilities are still open, they have a good boat launch, and the daily rate is .50 cents per foot. Sounds like a good prospect...?

Thanks,

Dennis & Beth

Shots taken from the harborcam thru the rain and wind. It's amazing the sun was even visable. Kind of looks like a fireball. There were huge breakers going over the top of the south light.

http://www.ludingtondailynews.com/webcam/harbor.php

Dennis, Was curious how your 25 worked on your Marinette. Just ordered a NuticalTwist set-up for 28' Sportfish model and getting ready to purchase a kicker. Could you share how well it pushed your boat for trolling,and would you be comfortable with it as an emergency source to reach a safe harbor in a decent wind and sea? Really admire what you have done to your Marinette. Rich

The 25 pushed her at 7mph and the 15 does 5mph. The 15 is quiet, electric start and tilt is very nice, and the remote throttle control is awesome. Also, since I tied into the ship's fuel supply, I don't have to tote a portable fuel tank around.

I'm confident we would be able to limp home on the kicker.

Good Luck,

DD

Check out the cannon ball movement on the display.

Caught a 10lb steelhead in 110fow on a braided dipsy (orange size #0, orange snubber, 100' back) with a Greasy Chicken Wing magnum.

TRT - 1 min 11 sec

http://s277.photobucket.com/albums/kk80/DiverDennisL/MUSKEGON/?action=view&current=MOV01366.flv

Awsome video looked A little cold burrrrrrr But hey fisherman never freeze they drink a little more ,,,

Nice Chrome there Dennis. Looks like Muskegon lake is still 51 deg?

Darn edit: http://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15515