Trolling motor controls

billfish · 11-17-2001, 12:41 PM

Hello everyone, Long time listner, first time post.
Looking for information or sugestions for the cable remote control for my trolling motor. ( Not the wireless ) What are some of you using?
After spending all night with FNF, I am trying to set up my boat with a way to keep warm up front. Have a sportjet and a bigfoot, can't use the bar to hook them to gether. Thanks billfish

Fish Hunter · 11-17-2001, 01:17 PM

Will be watching this post. Seems like there should be something available for this application. Someone would sell many units. I have a boat like yours with the transom kicker mount option. This set up works well but was an expensive option. I am also stuck out in the elements. I looked all over for a kicker control system before I opted for it. Only found two systems when researching it almost 2 years ago now. One, the TR-1 ? looked real slick but was rumored to be less than durable on the long term. It was also 1500$ The other was 300-400$ with less features. It used what looked like a windsheild wiped motor and pulley/cables at the motor. A handheld rocker switch controlled the steering remotely. The cables looked like corrosion waiting to happen. Might work ok on your side of the Cascades. Sorry don't remember the brand name. Saw it at the Portland Boat Show so it shouldnt be that hard to find.
You would think you could set up a small lever or steering wheel behind the pilot's seat on the tray that would move a steering cable on the kicker huh.
Great to have another Yakimaniac on the board. My folks live there. I lived there from '77 to '86. Graduated from West Valley H.S. and Perry Tech.
Great to hear your fishing w/ FNF, he needs to share all those steelies w/ somebody over there. :grin:

FEAR NO FISH! · 11-17-2001, 01:42 PM

Billfish,
You were sleeping so hard, how could you have been cold? In a recent Salmon,Trout,Steelheader magazine they had an add for a Jet troll. It seems that some of the owners of jet boats with pumps have come up with a way to hook up nozzle to kicker motor. I will do some research and get back to you. Anybody know about this?

Fish Hunter · 11-17-2001, 01:59 PM

Advanced hypothemia , a sure cure for insomnia every time.

Vinny · 11-17-2001, 02:03 PM

It figures, one night with FNF and the remote steering bug bites! :tongue:

Next, someone will come up with a computer operated autopilot for your troller, where you can program in waypoints and "repeat course" (like programing a holding pattern into an aircraft's flight computer). Then you could just fish and let the boat steer itself!

It probably already exists.

FEAR NO FISH! · 11-17-2001, 02:38 PM

Vinny,
How is wally world treating you? Did you get my email the other day? I mailed it from work. The secret service is probably watching you as I write! FISH ON!
Do you like to perch fish?

FEAR NO FISH! · 11-17-2001, 03:15 PM

Billfish,
NOW INTRODUCING!
JET TROLL custom steering devices for
JET BOATS with Hamilton or Kodiak Pumps

Now you can steer your trolling motor off your main steering with JET TROLL.
Full lifetime warranty.
For more information, Write to: JET TROLL
27853 N. Clearwater
Anthol ID. 83801
or call 208-683-9313
I guess this won't help with a sport jet though.
Maybe they can work something out for you. :grin:

jet · 11-17-2001, 03:17 PM

I have the same "Q" but I need it for an American Turbine. I would like to have a connection rod and bracket system to steer the troller with the nozzle of the AT. I know throttle can not be affected this way but I would like to just steer at this point in the heated area of the boat. Call me whimpy but I have the heated area and I would like to enjoy it.

Who make it?

Jet~~~

FEAR NO FISH! · 11-17-2001, 03:34 PM

Jet,
See my post above. If they have done it for Hamilton and Kodiak, then maybe they can do it for American Turbine or Sportjet. Ya figure it has to be close. :grin:

billfish · 11-17-2001, 03:41 PM

Thanks for the come backs, FNF, built a hookup for my brothers Hamilton , but this sportjet is so inclosed with the reverse cup that it looks unduable to me. Will have the shows in the next couple of months to check out and do some more brain storming. Maybe a cable with push-pull lever on the side of helm MMM--
billfish :depressed:

whitewaterbill · 11-17-2001, 03:56 PM

Take a look at the new TR-1. It does all the things Talked about in this post so far. I have had the old one for 6 years now. Yes it has had a few glitches....But I would not be without it. I can't wait to upgrade to the new one they came out with in the spring of 2001....They have a web page at "Nautimatic" or something.

Bill

fishbait · 11-17-2001, 04:31 PM

Fished in a sled with a TR-1 a couple of times...........it is way cool...If you are a troller this is a must to have or at least have on your list....I know it's spendy, but wow...I ran it backtrolling wigglies at bonneville. Set the course and speed then relax, 500 speed controls and a fish fighting button with resume.

Propwash · 11-18-2001, 03:19 PM

I recently put a new remote control on my kicker motor and it works teriffic. it has a twenty foot cord and is quite quick in response department.It may work well on your bigfoot kicker. You can contact the factory at panthermarineproducts.com.The salt water version is around $445 and the fresh water type is about $100 less. This is a nice compact unit and I am well satisfied with it.
Good Luck with search for a unit that works for you. Propwash

Vinny · 11-18-2001, 03:40 PM

I like automation. Does anyone make a remote with a built in GPS and progamable waypoints?

FM2 · 11-18-2001, 04:14 PM

I had one of the early TR-1 systems on a 21' NW Jet with a 9.9 kicker. This was the cat's meow of trolling systems. It's performance has not been matched by any other system I know about. The system uses a compass, gyroscope and a computer to control the kicker. The newer systems have throttle control and GPS interface.

The price might seem high, but after you see the quality of the components and the performance of the system you will say "Why didn't I get one of these sooner". :grin: :grin: :grin:

Vinny · 11-18-2001, 10:57 PM

Sounds like cool stuff!

I would guess the GPS system costs less to make, has more features, and costs more to buy.

Thick-N-Thin · 11-19-2001, 06:52 AM

Billfish,

I have one that is called Troll-Eze. It's a hydraulic cylinder that is attached to the kicker and the hydraulics are ran along with a 12v system. It has a 15ft cable with the control switch. I did tons of research on this and there is not a better system than this. Clemens Marine in Eugene is the only place I know that sells them. I'm sure you have some places that handle this up North. The Trol-Eze cost me $595.00. Clemens will charge an additional $100 to install. It's very easy to install and takes about an hour by yourself. With a freind and a couple of beers maybe 2 hours! :grin:

A freind also has the Trol-Eze that he uses on a 23ft Striper in the saltwater. He has had this since 1994 and it's just about bullet proof.

I'm sure there are other members of Ifish that have this Trol-Ez set-up.