Auto Pilot Bow mount systems-/+

[Backwater Eddy]

LAST EDITED ON Feb-26-01 AT 07:55AM (CST)[p]How well do bow mount Auto Pilot trolling motors systems work in rivers? Does the shifting current mess up there orientation and preformance?

Would a basic cable system be a better option?

Backwater Eddy.....><ND>

"February is the month designed to teach people who don’t drink what a hangover is like.” Garrison Keilor

[AquaMan]

Hey, BE.

I have a MinnKota AP and work the river quite a bit with it. The effect of the current in the river is no different then the wind on the lake. Both will shift the boat off course, but the AP seams to keep me true with monor adjustments. Especially when the current wants to rotate the boat. Adjustments to the AP heading will need to be made if the boat "slides" from one side of the river to the other. Since the AP uses an electronic compass to determine direction heading and your over all direction traveled (side to side) might not be detected, the AP will not know to correct your compass heading. I find that I make minor corrections continuosely while on the river. Working INTO heavy current would require more frequent adjustments to speed and direction depending on the width of the river and the speed of your troll.

When drifting with the current I use the AP to keep me on track with a line from the shore. It sorta keeps me centered.

Hope this helps.

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~

--- "It all begins and ends at the water's edge"

[REW]

I will 2nd Aqua mans comments.
The minnkota auto pilot has an electronic compas - that once set - will keep the head of the motor (containing the compas) and by default the motor itself - pointing in the direction that was originally set into the motor.

Thus - if you set your autopilot to point at a specific tree on the side of the river -- so that the electronic compas is reading a real reading of 12 degrees true north -- no matter what happens to the boat -- the head of the compass and by default the motor will keep pointing to 12 degrees true north.

Thus you could get a terrific side current that would blast you all the way across the river -- but the ever faithful motor head would keep pointing at 12 degrees true north.

To summarize -- yes an autopilot helps a great deal in keeping you going in the direction that you want to go. Do you have to make corrections from time to time to compensate for current ?? Yes, do you have to make corrections from time to time to correct for river bends and other boats?? Of course -- however, the amount of steering that you will be doing compared to a manual steered system will be reduced by at least 80% in the typical situation.

Take care

REW

As Aquaman said -- it will work much much better going down stream with the current and it also works much better on a lake if you are going with the wind -- than either fighting the current or fighting the wind.

When you fight the wind and or current -- the bow of the boat catches either the current and or waves and really wants to flip the boat -- that the motor has a tough time to compensate for.

[Backwater Eddy]

Thanks for the feedback guy's!

Backwater Eddy

“February is the month designed to teach people who don’t drink what a hangover is like.” Garrison Keilor

[AquaMan]

REW made a good point regarding the level of correction. Though I point out that frequent correction is needed it is far less then I have to do with my tiller. Additionally, it is hands free! small taps with my foot provide the correction required to follow a shore line or channel.

I am surprized the PinPoint supporters have not chimed in since that system really shines on rivers. I guess everyone is mellowing out with melting snow everywhere except in MINNESOTA. Another foot of snow means a week longer to melt. :-(


AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~

.·´¯° --- "It all begins and ends at the water's edge"

[Backwater Eddy]

Pinpoint is a heck of a system but out of my price range right now. If I were outfitting a new rig and I had room for for some frills it would be high on the list of gota have's. For now I am looking to a low maintance servicable system under $700.

Good advice guy's, thanks.

Backwater Eddy

“February is the month designed to teach people who don’t drink what a hangover is like.” Garrison Keilor

[AquaMan]

BE, I noticed that you have some "Ottertail Piggies" on the 10+ page. What part of Ottertail? Where do you guide out of. I know you like to run the Red, but do you run the lakes/river around Ottertail much?

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~

.·´¯° --- "It all begins and ends at the water's edge"

[Backwater Eddy]

I have C/R many many piggy's from the Otter Tail River, just don't care to say were though.

:)

Backwater Eddy

“February is the month designed to teach people who don’t drink what a hangover is like.” Garrison Keilor

[BouncerBoy]

The cable steer turns much faster than the power drive models.
You can position your boat alot more precise in my opinion. You will also know the exact position of the motor based on the position of your foot on the pedal. I personaly feel in windy conditions the power drive doesnt cut it. Steering response way to slow. The auto pilot is nice though if you fish alot of large flats. Just my opinion. Good luck.

[Fallsman]

I agree that a cable steer turns faster than the powerdrive, but I would rather give that up than having to keep my foot on the pedal all day long. And you can't get an autopilot in a cable drive unit. The only drawback with Minn Kota's autopilot is that it is slow to make course corrections which is somewhat of a problem on windy days and fast flowing rivers. Perhaps someone will come up with a better design someday.

[AquaMan]

Well, alright then!

Actually, I was not looking for secret locations, just looking to see if we frequent the same "areas"

With a place on the Ottertail river near the mouth of the lake, I frequent Ottertail heavily in the spring and fall. Just thought I would catch you at the Otter Bar some time for some Karoke or pull tabs! ;-) Cha!

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~

.·´¯° --- "It all begins and ends at the water's edge"

[Backwater Eddy]

LOL, I generally fish the Otter Tail closer to the Red but the inlet and outlet areas of the lake can be very good in the spring and fall.

I concentrate on the Otter Tail river more in the late summer and fall with a week or two following the post-spawn in the spring being very productive.

Last season I only fished one Lake and that was Lake Winnipeg in Canada. They can grow some pretty darn big waves up there, woo, it was interesting but the river sure felt like home after that run!

You can take the rat out of the river but the river never leaves the rat for long.

:)

BE..><ND>