Ez steer??????

[Wild Bill]

One benefit to having kicker tied to main in some manner, is you can use the main autopilot to steer the boat while trolling with the kicker. Not a big deal to some but it is a game changer for me. Think of it as a Tr1 system except it actually works and is much more robust.

 

[Jaymo72]

One benefit to having kicker tied to main in some manner, is you can use the main autopilot to steer the boat while trolling with the kicker. Not a big deal to some but it is a game changer for me. Think of it as a Tr1 system except it actually works and is much more robust.

That’s assuming one has auto pilot.

 

[A-K]

Nope, threw it the f... away

My sea star cable broke after about 1 year.

 

[Captain Decent]

One benefit to having kicker tied to main in some manner, is you can use the main autopilot to steer the boat while trolling with the kicker. Not a big deal to some but it is a game changer for me. Think of it as a Tr1 system except it actually works and is much more robust.

The rich get richer. I still gotta throw my shoulder out turning the damn wheel. And then pretend the hydraulics went out when I run over your line with a fish on it. Damn poors.

 

[Wild Bill]

Rich? Just a blue collar redneck here, trust me.

 

[Swede]

Rich? Just a blue collar redneck here, trust me.

Ya, Steve doesn’t even have a midget.

 

[Wknd_warrior]

I had a trophy with the same dilemma for years and the problem is that the offset is at the extreme of what the ez steer can do. It worked but the brackets fatigue out every season or two unless you pull the bar when you want to run on the main, but who wants to lean over the splash well constantly putting it on and off. With only a forward helm the problem in a trophy is you raise a downrigger up and the boat starts to turn so then you are bumping into everyone in the boat to get to the steering wheel and then back to the rear deck to reel in a line or net a fish etc. I felt like I just bumped into everyone all day to get to the front for steering or the kicker for the throttle control. In the end the only real fix on the trophy is to either put a kicker auto pilot on, deal with the shitty ez steer, or get a remote electric steer setup. I actually have a powrtran steering setup I got used that i was going to install but didnt get the remote control for it. It’s their first generation model which is the similar to the panther etc. $50 and it’s yours. I bought a toggle switch and played around with it but it really needs their wireless remote kit they sell. Powrtran is still in business

 

[Rellis]

Justin,
As fate would have it, I have a 2002 WA Trophy with Yamaha kicker. I use an EZ steer. Other automatic options are better but since I’m quite cheap, I’ve been using the EZ steer since I purchased the boat in 2012. I will send pic.s. Downside, the EZ steer should not be connected when running on the main. Also, when it is rough, it can be hazardous leaning way over the stern to install the cross-brace.

 

[fishing fanatic]

I ran that cable kit on my olympic for 600+ hours and it was flawless…. I’m also VERY routine on lubrication and doing the rigging with ZERO friction or tension to begin with.

Blue collar redneck that knows how to run a boat and if you don’t have auto pilot he makes fun of you!!!! (As the fish come over the rail)

 

[sgwill122]

I ran a EZ steer with a I/O for over 10 years. I had the brackets welded back together a few times. You have to play with the tension screws to keep it working but I still had occassions where I had to go back and push the bar back in. It was next to impossible to remove or put on while on the water but that was because it was an I/O with a swim step. The last couple years I had it I added a bungee to the bar while trolling which made it much more reliable. A removeable tie bar that you can bend to the angle you need would be my vote and has to be the cheapest.

 

[Jaymo72]

Justin,
As fate would have it, I have a 2002 WA Trophy with Yamaha kicker. I use an EZ steer. Other automatic options are better but since I’m quite cheap, I’ve been using the EZ steer since I purchased the boat in 2012. I will send pic.s. Downside, the EZ steer should not be connected when running on the main. Also, when it is rough, it can be hazardous leaning way over the stern to install the cross-brace.

Ya with fishing out at Westport I will not be doing any leaning over. I ended up making a custom aluminum bracket for the kicker and bent a tie rod out of all thread that will connect with quick connect snaps. Should do exactly what I need.

 

[Jaymo72]

I ran that cable kit on my olympic for 600+ hours and it was flawless…. I’m also VERY routine on lubrication and doing the rigging with ZERO friction or tension to begin with.

Blue collar redneck that knows how to run a boat and if you don’t have auto pilot he makes fun of you!!!! (As the fish come over the rail)

I was looking into the cable tie but it is only compatible with the sea star steering. My boat has the baystar so it won’t work. I bent some all thread trial and error and got some good radius out of it. Just quick connect on and off when need to.

I have caught a shitload of fish without auto pilot and will catch many many many more without it

 

[EJ Swanny]

EZ-Steer makes many lengths of their retractable bar/piston system. Just match midpoints to midpoints (both main and kicker are straight), make sure you have enough inner bar for a full turn in each direction, and dial in the tension. Usually takes a couple times to get the right tension. Make sure your brackets are dead tight (use a socket). I typically unhook it only when not fishing.

It's worked for years, but yes, there are better options if you have the $$$$$$$$$$$$.

Life always comes down to cost/benefit ratio.....is it worth it for the cost.