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Member
Posts: 34
Location: Theresa, NY | Hey all...this winter the board responded to my request .....and...recommended the trollmaste system to hook to my 9.9 fourstroke kicker....as well as a direct hook up from my gas tank to the kicker rather than a wye valve.....
Just letting you know...I did both and works great...bought the trollmaster directly from troll master......cheaper than buying from another source....they paid shipping and had it in three days....answered all the question i had over the phone.
Again...great system...works like a charm...thanks for the good advice. |
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Location: Rhinelander | Glad everything worked out well for you. |
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Member
Posts: 1188
Location: Chicago IL. | Its one of the most inportant tools in my boat.
John Mannerino #473 |
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Member
Posts: 526
Location: blue mounds,wisc | you think you like the trollmaster, then you should think about getting a TR-1. THIS IS A MUST FOR TROLLERS. |
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Member
Posts: 2393
Location: Waukesha Wisconsin | Larry,
I also use the Trollmaster and feel that it is one of the most important tools in my boat for trolling. At about $200, it's a great deal for what it's capable of doing. I can fine tune my speed in ALL conditions with ease. It really spoils you. I hated trying to get the right speed by walking back to the kicker and attempting to adjust 1/10th of a mile. It was a real pain but now with the Trollmaster it's done in an instant.
I talked a friend into installing a TR-1 and I agree that it's great for steering. It really is hands free. I still have a couple of concerns about the TR-1 that I hope you can comment on. Up front, I'll mention that my friend's unit is now a few years old and there are probably major improvements since then. My biggest complaint is the speed adjustment on the TR-1. There always seems to be a lot of play with the control and you have to keep your finger in the switch for a few seconds before the speed actually increases/decreases. I'll admit that I'm really spoiled with the Trollmaster because it's much easier to adjust and control compared to my friend's TR-1. Have they fixed this problem?
My next two concerns are associated with service and cost. Again, using my experiences with my friend's boat, it appeared that we couldn't find anyone in the Wisconsin/IL. area who really knew what they were doing when it came to installation/maintenance/and repair. The people who sold him the unit installed it wrong and he ended up taking it to several different locations where they obviously didn't have great knowledge about the unit. Are there people in this geographical area that you know of that have experience with these units and do a good job?
My friend like other is not mechanically smart and struggled for some time before the unit was finally "tweaked" right.
I do have to declare that the company was very helpful and did a great job on the phone. There were two occasions where they talked me through some issues while we were at a boat landing or on the water. They were very helpful and knowledgeable. I also put my friend in contact with Bo and he was willing to help all he could. Only problem was that Bo is in Michigan and my friend is in IL. We had it set up once where Bo was going to take a look at it while my friend fished on Erie. This didn't materialize only because my friend didn't go through with it. Bo was more than willing to help though.
My last concern is cost. Do they still cost over $2,000? I keep hoping that this will go down to make it more affordable for the weekend angler. That's a major chunk of change. It's a lot easier for the charter captain or tournament fisherman to justify this kind of cost but for the average person, it's out of their price range. Have they ever considered a cheaper version? I understand that they have two models now, any plans down the road for different pricing? I would consider one if it only steered the boat and cost less. I wouldn't get throttle control(love my Trollmaster to much), or the rpm gauge.
Sorry this ended up being so long. It is not a slam on the product or the company. They make a GREAT product. I have a lot of respect for your opinion and look forward to you reply. I wouldn't mind if Bo chimed in on the conversation also. I'd like to hear his perspective. I see that he advertises here on WF and is a occasional browser.
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Sunshine,
I purchased and installed the TR-1 unit on my boat this last summer and found it to be trouble free. If you have any friends here in Wisconsin, will be happy to help install and set the system up for them. Course I will need an equal exchange of sorts.
Also, if anyone has a need to "test drive" this TR-1, I plan to be fishing every day in June leading up to the MWC Winnebago Tournament and would be happy to plan a time and place to meet (somewhere along Lake Winnebago (of my choice).
And yes Sunshine, the unit is very expensive and should only be considered by those who will not spend their mortgage payment in obtaining it!
Edited by Rick Larson 5/12/2004 12:35 PM
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Location: Midland, MI 48642 | I have the trollmaster on my Skeeter and love it. Sure I heard real good things about TR-1 but the price is way to much for the weekday fisherman. ( I don't sell enough Restore and Wonderfoam to afford it, lol ) I have had no problems with it, and if I did I would put on another I am so hooked on using it. Hutch shared his experience with his and I was sold. Skeeter
Edited by Skeeter 5/12/2004 12:21 PM
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Member
Posts: 72
Location: Plover, WI | Larry is talking about the TR-1 from experience on my boat. I have been running the tr-1 since July of last year.
Yes they are still pushing the $2k mark, but if you do any amount of serious trolling it pays for itself in just a few trips. Especially fishing tournaments. Having both guys in the boat free to set lines, net fish, etc, and not worry about the steering of the boat is priceless when time is a factor.
I bought mine from http://www.nautamatic.com and installed it myself. I have had one service issue, which involved me shipping it back, but the turn around was awesome, and they even upgraded un-related to the problem parts on the unit for no charge before returning it to me. I also broke a mount during the install by rolling over it in the boat...oopss....and they sent me a new piece for no charge. And from talking to people who have had theirs for a long time, they are also very good at upgrading old units to new features for a minimal charge when major enhancements are made.
Throttle control is awesome on mine, with me being able to dial into any 1/10th of a mile an hour I want, above the slowest speed of the boat of course.
If I can answer any other questions regarding the unit, feel free to ask.
Thank you,
Chad Carroll
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