nlaudy
Petty Officer
Posts: 171
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Post by nlaudy on May 28, 2015 17:24:11 GMT -6
I ordered a Minn Kota Riptide ST 80# with I-Pilot. In preparation for its arrival I have removed the old co-pilot. With the new motor I want to change its position so I will need to drill new holes. With that said I need to fill quite a few holes! What are your recommendations? As you can see in the photos I filled a few holes with MarineTex last year. Should I go that route or another route? In the one picture, where I am pointing is the location I plan to place the new trolling motor.
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Post by Juan on May 28, 2015 18:02:14 GMT -6
On mine, you can get to those holes through the anchor locker, but I don't see an an anchor locker on yours... If you can get to the underside, I'd fiberglass the underside and then fill the holes with quick set epoxy. It dries white in color and if done neatly, you can hardly see it.
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nlaudy
Petty Officer
Posts: 171
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Post by nlaudy on May 29, 2015 19:47:15 GMT -6
Juan, thanks for the response! What quick set epoxy do you use?
I have an anchor box but it's a long hard reach to the holes.
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Post by Juan on May 30, 2015 5:18:58 GMT -6
Juan, thanks for the response! What quick set epoxy do you use? I have an anchor box but it's a long hard reach to the holes. I don't know the name of the epoxy off hand but it's called Marine Epoxy and comes in a stick that's green on the outside but when you break off a piece and knead it, it turns white and hardens that way. Like you, I used it to fill the old holes on my bow made by the old trolling motor mount when I installed my I-Pilot. It will work perfectly for the smaller holes on your bow but if possible, I'd still glass the underside of the larger one first before filling it with epoxy unless the I-Pilot mount is going to cover that hole. (What was that larger hole for anyway?) The epoxy will set up hard in about 30 minutes but if you give it about 15 minutes cure time you can take a razor blade and trim it off flush with the deck before it completely cures and it's hard to tell there was a hole there. They sell the epoxy for about $12. or $13. a stick at WalMart in the boating section. The stick is only about 6 or 7 inches long but it actually goes a long way. btw: You're going to love the I-Pilot. It's the best invention since toilet paper! Seems like most are mounting their trolling motors on the starboard side of the bow. I guess mine are backward since they're on the port side on both of my boats. 021
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Post by gtightline on May 30, 2015 6:50:26 GMT -6
Juan, what do you tie your anchor to, when you use it?....I see no cleat.
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nlaudy
Petty Officer
Posts: 171
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Post by nlaudy on May 30, 2015 7:33:42 GMT -6
Based on that picture it looks like Juan has a cleat that raises right behind the trolling motor. Not a bad idea.
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nlaudy
Petty Officer
Posts: 171
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Post by nlaudy on May 30, 2015 7:42:49 GMT -6
Juan to answer your question... The bigger hole is from the base part of a bow light. The other 3 holes were from a different bow light. Then there are 4 holes from the trolling motor.
On your picture, what are the things mounted in each corner? Looks like one is a switch then something below it. Then something on the side.
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nlaudy
Petty Officer
Posts: 171
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Post by nlaudy on May 30, 2015 10:37:57 GMT -6
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Post by freezerfiller on May 30, 2015 14:52:47 GMT -6
. btw: You're going to love the I-Pilot. It's the best invention since toilet paper! X2 The I-pilot is probably the only thing on my boat that was worth every penny that I paid for it.
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Post by Juan on May 30, 2015 15:51:40 GMT -6
Yep.. that's it. Good stuff. I've used a couple of tubes and always keep a spare on hand. Yes, as noted, there is a pop up cleat just behind the trolling motor..but truth be known, I never use it. I haven't needed a stinking anchor since I got my I-Pilot. Now I just use the fishfinder to locate the fish, throw over the I-Pilot and set it on anchor lock.. it keeps the boat on top of the fish and there's no more throwing an anchor and trying to drift back to the right spot and I don't have to mess with an anchor rode. Like I said... I-Pilots are the best invention since toilet paper!!!! nlaudy, the "things" in the picture are as you guessed..on the left side is a 12V accessory plug I use for plugging in my flounder lights or spot light, (The 24V trolling motor is hard wired so there's no wire laying on the deck and the disconnect is in the anchor locker where it can't be seen). The thing below that 12V plug is a switch that turns the power on and off to the bow fishfinder and the 12V plug. On the right side is a tilt and trim switch for the outboard, so I can raise the motor from the bow while fishing or loading the boat... just below it on the deck is another switch that turns the 24V to the trolling motor on and off. By turning both of those switches off, I kill all power going to the bow area so there's no batteries being used.
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Post by T-Topless on May 30, 2015 19:12:22 GMT -6
... I-Pilots are the best invention since toilet paper!!!! How would you know? Or is that the "Roll" in "Roll Tide"? rofl
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nlaudy
Petty Officer
Posts: 171
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Post by nlaudy on Jun 1, 2015 7:02:31 GMT -6
Well I used that epoxy. It was easy to use but I wouldn't say I was impressed with it. I thought it would turn out white but it is definitely more of a gray color and pretty visible In the lower left of the pic you can see where I used Marine Tex. that definitely turned out more white than the Attwood stick epoxy. Attachments:
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Post by freezerfiller on Jun 1, 2015 8:48:35 GMT -6
Yep. It wouldn't matter if it were white, it's going to turn brown in the sun after a few weeks. Gel coat it.
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nlaudy
Petty Officer
Posts: 171
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Post by nlaudy on Jun 1, 2015 9:01:54 GMT -6
I didn't think gel coat would adhere to epoxy?
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Post by Juan on Jun 1, 2015 9:44:13 GMT -6
Well I used that epoxy. It was easy to use but I wouldn't say I was impressed with it. I thought it would turn out white but it is definitely more of a gray color and pretty visible In the lower left of the pic you can see where I used Marine Tex. that definitely turned out more white than the Attwood stick epoxy. That's strange cuz it looked a lot whiter when I used it... I have to admit that there were a couple of places where I had to touch it up with some white epoxy paint to get it to blend in better.
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Post by seagristle on Jun 11, 2015 12:01:19 GMT -6
Question for Juan and you other I-Pilot owners. I occasionally find myself having to anchor up on shoulder to shoulder with other boats (particularly spadefish at the CLT), requiring me to calculate the tide and wind so I can set the hook and ease myself in between without screwing up the other boats anchor lines. It would be awesome if an I-Pilot could hold position in close quarters like that. Curious on your thoughts on how close it holds position against current & wind.
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Post by Juan on Jun 11, 2015 16:30:02 GMT -6
I never use the anchor any more... now I use my I-pilot's anchor function every time I want to hold the boat over a spot. I believe Minn Kota claims the built in gps will keep your boat within 5 feet of where you were when you hit the anchor button on the remote control... I've found the 5 ft claim to be about right, maybe even less than that. I've found the only problem with the anchor function on the I-pilot is that at times it will stop working if the seas are really rough and the trolling motor prop jumps out of the water due to the wave action... when that happens, I have to pull back up to my spot and push the anchor button again. Doesn't happen often and only when it's really rough...otherwise, it holds me within 5 ft of where I want to be.
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Post by gtightline on Jun 13, 2015 6:53:20 GMT -6
That I-Pilot sounds like something I would really appreciate while fishing in the everglades canals, especially while by myself, which is 90% of the time.....
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Post by Juan on Jun 13, 2015 9:06:27 GMT -6
That I-Pilot sounds like something I would really appreciate while fishing in the everglades canals, especially while by myself, which is 90% of the time..... If you fish the canals, you would LOVE it... It will record the path you are fishing and save it... then the next time you fish the same area, all you do is press a button on the remote and the trolling motor will do all the work and take you the same route as you went the last time.. keeps your hands free to hold more beer. I trout fish a couple of really winding and crooked creeks and canals and have those saved. It's nice to have your boat do all the work while you fish, enjoy the scenery or nap.
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Post by Simple Man on Jun 14, 2015 4:32:12 GMT -6
Y'all making me want one now. You used it offshore Juan? It will hold on a spot so you can fish?
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