|
PUCCIO'S POINTERS
"Waves, wind and even strong current are no match
for the TR-l."
Hands-free trolling isn't just a snappy catch phrase, it's a reality if you own one of the new TR-1 Auto Pilots produced by Nautamatic Marine Systems. The only auto pilot designed to mount on a small gasoline outboard, serious trollers know the value of trolling with a kicker motor. "Speed control is the primary reason every walleye pro on the circuit trolls with a kicker," said Tony Puccio, walleye pro and owner of Bait Rigs Tackle. "With a small outboard you can troll slow enough to barely drag a jig along bottom or fast enough to give high-action crankbaits action. "Speed control keeps walleye anglers buying kicker motors, but it's boat control that has convinced so many anglers to rig their kicker with a TR-1, which uses the same fly-by-wire technology that guides an F-16 fighter jet," added Puccio. "Waves, wind and even strong current are no match for the TR-l." Aerospace engineering made the TR-l possible, but using one couldn't be easier. The TR-1 operates without the use of menus, displays or programming. A simple two-button control panel mounted near the outboard and a hand-held remote controls all functions. When the autopilot is turned on using the forward or reverse button, a built-in computer captures the heading of the boat from an electronic compass. To change headings, the operator simply rotates a steering knob on the hand-held remote control in the direction he wants to turn. Once the TR1 is locked onto a heading it will continue to control the boat until the heading is changed or the motor turned off. For those fishermen who own four-stroke engines, motor throttle can also be controlled with the same remote. A touch of a button makes it possible to change trolling speeds without leaving the comfort of your boat seat, a real advantage when trolling in rough seas or when using speed changes to trigger strikes.
Outboards can also be used as normal without disconnecting any linkages and the TR-1 doesn't interfere with normal steering or tilting of the engine. As if this wasn't enough, the TR-1 can also be interfaced with most GPS and Loran-C units, making it easy to return and navigate to saved waypoints while anglers fight with fish instead of with boat control. The TR-1 consists of a small hydraulic control box, a remote compass, forward/reverse switch and hand-held remote control. It takes a couple hours to install the unit on most boats. A step-by-step installation video is included with each unit. The TR-1 is designed to function with the following engines: Mercury 1987-97, Johnson/Evinrude 1985-97, Yamaha four-stroke 1992-97 and Mariner 1992-97 outboards. Customers receive a two-year warranty and 30day money-back guarantee. The TR-1 retails for around $1,300. For more details and availability, write Graham Dorland, Nautamatic Marine Systems, Inc., 100A SE Bay Boulevard, Newport, Oregon 97365, or call 1-800-588-7655. |
"I use the TR-1 when trolling spinners in open water, structure - trolling crankbaits, pulling bottom bouncers and when slipping the current in rivers," said Puccio. "Knowing the boat is under control and heading on course allows me to spend more time rigging and setting lines, changing baits and studying my electronics. Once you've tried this auto pilot you'll wonder how you ever fished without it!"