L&M

Steering the boat with power assist steering is most always hard on a mechanical drive pilot with the engine not running but the octopus is a more direct and stronger unit than the X5 was & has a full disconnect so you should see no resistance in steering in standby or pilot off mode.

If you have the X5 version Sport Pilot you can utilize the Octopus Type S drive in place of the X5 drive

This system will work out better if you plan to install a hydraulic auto pilot system to steer both the kicker and outdrive with the engine not running. Pilot will be much more responsive not having to drive the power assist cylinder with the engine off.

Channel always fills in over the winter months John. It should be dredged & navigable the 1st week of April.

You will have no problem using it in your SeaStar/BayStar system.

PM sent

Intermediate starter solenoid if its a Mercruiser would be my guess especially considering you had an issue in the fall & be careful with the hammer around the newer starters & small reduction starters as it only takes one hit in the wrong spot to damage the ceramic magnets in what was a perfectly good starter.

Were the battery's returned to the point of sale or to an Interstate dealer to determined if it is a battery issue or not. Possibly one bad of the pair causing the problem? If they were bought new there is a one year free replacement on them. Unfortunately what the meter on the charger says & what the actual condition of each battery is, are two different things. Proper testing & condition is normally done with a load tester and/or a newer style digital tester to determined each battery's condition. As stated above one defective battery in a series bank can have an effect on the total output especially with a 24v system using only two battery's .

I can assure everyone that John is still in business & has no plans of not being in the foreseeable future. 315-871-6400

Letting the engine warm some in the colder/freezing weather is good practice but allowing the lower extremity's of the engine to warm to lake temperature is to ensure the impeller isn't frozen in the housing prier to starting the engine

That they do but not to be trusted in themselves Use an anti siphon valve or the above style in addition too.

Check the different cylinder mounting instructions here. Esp. the Mercury types, you might find it's basically the same as your Tohatsu https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?partNumber=101-7000-00&tab=manuals

The compass/ball can be mounted anyplace that it is free of any magnetic interference regardless of line of sight & yes it will operate if you don't have the throttle actuator hooked up.

Mercury # 866340Q03 Wix equivalent # 51069 or NAPA/Wix # 1069 AC Delco # PF-25 long version or PF454 short version *Mercury, Wix & NAPA #'s will work with either short (remote filter ) or Long ( filter in stock location )

OEM OMC