Yankee Troller

I don't think so

You can definitely hear it, but I'm sure you'd get used to it. Make sure you have 10" of depth clearance behind your steering wheel before purchasing.

I've run 150lb Power Pro and American Fishing Wire downrigger braid. Both worked fine.

Great question, and I can't answer that.

I did get rid of the Lund. I purchased a Smokercraft North American Phantom 20x2.

Most electronic companies offer an AP that will work with a cable steer/power assist utilizing an Octopus mechanical drive. It really only works when the main engine is running (so the power assist pump is running). If you want to troll on a kicker utilizing a tie bar to the lower unit on your main it won't work. You can always call me at Krenzer Marine to discuss, and/or purchase.

They were iced in, but boats broke it up.

Going to a 1KW transducer is not needed. Your typical Airmar 600w 50/200khz transducer will do whatever you want on Lake Ontario. Chirp is not needed and nor is the extra money you'll spend on those transducers. However, Airmar just launched a Medium Ultra Wide Chirp transducer that has my attention. I don't think you can go wrong with the Garmin ECHOMAP series, but if you plan to run radar you will have to jump up to a GPSMAP series. Humminbird just dropped their new Xplore series. I'll have some soon, but I'm currently running the SOLIX which is very similar. Lowrance/Simrad are good, but if you ever need customer support, GOOD LUCK! I sell and install electronics at Krenzer Marine. Feel free to reach out and chat. I can even sell you whatever you need. I dropped a video a few weeks back showing my SOLIX running the Airmar 600w 50/200khz transducer and included a screen shot of my HELIX picking up my flasher down 200' with t hat same transducer.

If you run the correct transducer there is no need to tilt it backwards for sonar purposes.

After a few years of use with the FishUSA's Flagship Series Trolling Rods I'd say you can't beat them. Below are the models we use and for what presentation: Downrigger Rod FFSHIP-T-802M - We use this primarily for spoons with 20lb main and leader. It pairs well with a Daiwa 30 or 47 size reel. I've had captains using other brands fish with us and comment on how great this combo feels in hand. Wire Diver Rod - FFSHIP-T-902MHW & FFSHIP-T-1002MHW We run these rods with 30lb wire using Daiwa 30 or 47 size reels. Really nice rod with a twilli tip already installed. Leadcore/Copper FFSHIP-T-701MH - This rod is good from 300' of 45lb copper to 600' I still prefer a little bit lighter rod on the 300' copper when using a spoon. This rod is a stiff rod, but you need that on those long coppers. FFSHIP-T-802MLC - This is a good rod for cores and short coppers.