05-09-2006, 04:12 PM
For a number of reasons, I don't run a kicker. I have a 115HP Mercury EFI 4S on my Hewescraft 200 SeaRunner. The autopilot replaces your original helm with a new one that has an electric drive motor bolted on the back. You mount a flux gate compass, the bracket and socket for the contol unit, which looks lke a TV remote control, do all the wiring and you're good to go. The only thing that gives it away is the control unit sitting on the dash.
[url "http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v495/Paddler/Autopilot.jpg"]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v495/Paddler/Autopilot.jpg[/url]
Not using a kicker means I have the autopilot controlling the boat at any speed, from 2.5MPH to WOT, which at sea level is ~40MPH. At $1225, it wasn't expensive given what it does.
I'm pretty familiar with Willard, so I know what the walleye were doing out in the middle. It's just that their behavior as open water predators is different from what you usually expect.
I would have gladly stayed longer, and it looked to be a beautiful evening, but it was more of a shakedown cruise yesterday. We're heading to the Strait of Juan de Fuca next week for halibut in Canadian waters, and I wanted to make sure the boat is in top shape. The walleye were just a bonus. I've never seen them in better shape.
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[url "http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v495/Paddler/Autopilot.jpg"]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v495/Paddler/Autopilot.jpg[/url]
Not using a kicker means I have the autopilot controlling the boat at any speed, from 2.5MPH to WOT, which at sea level is ~40MPH. At $1225, it wasn't expensive given what it does.
I'm pretty familiar with Willard, so I know what the walleye were doing out in the middle. It's just that their behavior as open water predators is different from what you usually expect.
I would have gladly stayed longer, and it looked to be a beautiful evening, but it was more of a shakedown cruise yesterday. We're heading to the Strait of Juan de Fuca next week for halibut in Canadian waters, and I wanted to make sure the boat is in top shape. The walleye were just a bonus. I've never seen them in better shape.
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Single main, no kicker. 