07-09-2024, 06:28 PM
(07-09-2024, 05:30 PM)FishfulThinkin Wrote: Is anyone using the Garmin Autopilot on their kicker? I'm in the market for a new boat and I want to know more about the Reactor 40 before I buy. I'm having a hard time finding a dealer or someone here in Utah who knows about the Garmin Autopilot. I'd like to know more about the pros and cons of a tiller kicker vs the cable controlled kicker with this system? Do you have to remove the rod from the big motor every time you use the autopilot? Which kicker would be better with the Garmin? Did you install yourself or is there a qualified installer in Utah? I troll a fair amount and sometimes my batteries don't last on my electric so I'm looking for options. I hear the Ulterra motor takes even more power so the trolling time is diminished. I even thought of just using a Minnkota ipilot and adding a second set of batteries with a switch to extend time on the water? Has anyone tried this? Any ideas on the best way to be able to troll all day into a breeze without manual steering would be appreciated!
You might call Joe at BOE Marine about your AP. I think most guys put an AP on their main and use a tie rod to the kicker.
You can also run your main or kicker in neutral to keep your batteries up while trolling with your electric. Or you can go with a single main without a kicker like I do. I made a drift sock setup to slow me down to kokanee speed. It takes a couple of minutes to deploy but works okay.
You won't be able to troll directly into the wind with a kicker. Once the bow gets even a little bit off of directly into it, it will go crazy trying to maintain course. You can troll quartering into the wind, tacking 45* to port for a while, then tacking back 45* to starboard. Going downwind or crosswind isn't a problem.
Single main, no kicker. 