nautime

Good news on these Auto Pilots guys. I have been looking into using the Octopus Remote drive with possibly a Garmin GHP12 or the Simrad AP2401 vrf on my 89 Amberjack. Only problem so far is getting a responce from Octopus here in Canada on what parts I will need and or any recomendations they might have. They don't seem to reply to emails. Will it still hold its coarse trolling slower than 2.0mph? Did you install the rudder feedback onto the drive? How much stiffer is your steering now? While trolling I shut down one engine and like to switch back and forth to keep hours close. Any issues running it on engine w/o power steering? Any other info greatly appreciated. Cheers...Jake

I have found the Willis knot is quite easy to tie with 27lb Kerplunk, but the 18Lb Kerplunk was impossible. Anybody want a spool of it? I picked it up accidently at a show last year. Thanks for heads up on the Suffix. Will give it a go next time respooling. Cheers...Jake

The platinum+ has the fish'n'chip built into it. On my Lowrance HDS in the chart settings menu, there is a button to enable the fish'n'chip. This gives better contour/bottom detail, but turns off most nav aids. I think the Platinum hotmaps version has even better bottom detail, but not sure about nav aids. HTH's... Cheers..Jake

Looking for a 90 degree gimbal mount for a flush mount rod holder. Also an adjustable gimbal mount for my cleaning/bait board. My new boat has sloping gunnels and now my bait station is on an angle. pm or email works. Cheers...Jake

My net dosn't go up in the rod holder until we get a fish on/boxed. Then we proudly fly it like a flag. LOL...Its also a little tell tale between friends that we landed fish, rather than blaring it over the radio on derby days. Cheers...Jake

Sikkens Cetol for marine applications comes in different types or shades. I used the natural teak last season as I wanted it to look like teak. I have heard that the regular marine finish comes out reddish in color. It can be purchased at most any place that sells marine products. West marine carries the entire line I think. I bought mine at a local hardware store that sells marine products. Easy stuff to work with. http://www.yachtpaint.com/literaturecen ... -guide.pdf HTH's.... Cheers..Jake

I redid the exterior teak (swim platform, gunnels, pulpit) on my AJ at the start of last season with Sikkens Cetol as well. This is the first time using this product and I am very happy with it so far. I followed the instructions and cleaned the teak with a two part teak cleaner. This gets out all the dirt and bleaches the wood nicely. Light sanding to smooth out the teak and apply 3 coats of Cetol with light sanding between coats to knock down raised fibres/grain. Once it starts to wear, all it needs is a light sanding/scuff and apply more Cetol. You don't have to sand or strip all the old stuff off. At least that is what the label says. Time will tell. All I know is that it is ten times better than what I used to do with teak oil. All oil does is attract dirt and turn it black. This pic is from end of season last year. Cheers...Jake

I upgraded to an X4 probe two years ago from my original 840 probe. I have had this 840 unit for more than 15 years and have always been very happy with it. My old probe was starting to act up, so on the advice from another fellow fisherman who upgraded to the X4 probe, I ordered one. Was plug and play. I put the batteries in and sent it down and hasn't missed a beat since. Rock solid. Uses way less batteries and is totally compatible. Head unit works just fine. If I want to upgrade further all I need is the new head unit. They both use the same triducer. Not sure on the power cord though. Can't go wrong in my opinion. HTHs Cheers...Jake.

"Hi Jake... Do you have a single outdrive or twins? I'm trying to figure out the best system for twins on my AJ that currently have power assist on one drive. I have twin sterndrives. Mercruiser 4.3's. Power steering on starboard engine only. I usually troll with one engine only, alternating between both engines to try and keep hours close. Steering is quite easy with port engine(non power steering) while trollng so I am hoping the drive unit will be able to move the drives ok. When it gets a little rougher I will run starboard engine(power steering) until I have to run both when it gets nasty. Cheers...Jake

Did you end up converting to hydraulic or did you go with their universal drive system for mechanical drives? http://www.raymarine.com/view/?id=579&collectionid=30&col=5917 Curious as I am looking for a system for my Amberjack w/power assist mechanical steering. I am looking at Garmin GHP 12 with an octopus drive as well. http://www.octopusmarine.ca/products/octafmdresysb https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=68528 Cheers...Jake

Looks like it is about 5-6ins too narrow. Cheers...Jake

Wondering if this will fit my 89 Amberjack? Will measure width of mounting locations and get back to you. Cheers...Jake

I guess this is why I cannot seem to locate any of their "Flasher Spoons". I haven't seen any on the shelf for a while, and did not realize that they were downsizing. NK flasher spoons are my number one spoon up here on Georgian Bay. I will have to look after the ones I have left. Cheers...Jake

Organized Slime...I would really appreciate a copy of the manual. I bought my unit used a long time ago with no manual, and just this summer it has been giving me erratic readings. I have tried playing with the gain, but have not been able to reset the factory settings. I did not realize that there was no stops. I thought my unit was screwed. I have no idea now were the gain is set. My email add is nauti_me at hotmail. Thanks a bunch. Regards...Jake