Kicker Steering

[Sprigg65]

Hi Guys,
Ok so I hate the bracket and bar system that came with my boat for connecting the kicker to the main motor.  I am considering some sort of remote and Tom's Outboard recommended the Panther Remote Steering system.  I have throttle control in the helm.  Does anybody have ideas or advice on the Panther system.  I know the TR1 is the best but I already have way more money into the boat than I ever thought I would spend in my life.  Worth every penny and we love it and really love the fishing etc.

Thank you in advance for any replies.
Steve

[Salmon King]

Panther owners I have heard from are generally very happy.
They used to have a problem with one of their models allowing water to get into the motor but they have redesigned the unit and folks a happy with the new models now.
I would like to have one some day...but that day is FAR off in the distance for me.

[Danno]

Just spent another day on the Columbia on SF's 19 SC. His panther T4 works great.

[StreamFixer]

 

StreamFixer

[boomerick]

I feel that the Panther remote on my Yamaha 8 kicker is one of the best things I have done with my boat.  Easy to use and so far (2 years) very dependable.

[BruceL2_Fish]

I have the powerTran setup and it works really nice as well

Bruce

[fishing eagle]

I love my Panther T-4. Just make sure you purchase the stainless steel model.

[Kyle]

Does anyone have any experience with the tr1's out on the ocean? Do they hold heading in wind and rough conditions?

[Sprigg65]

I ordered the T-4 Panther.  I will be installed on Tuesday after the holiday and yes I got the Saltwater Model.  Thank you for all the help in deciding.  This site is great and for a guy who has only owned duck boats his whole life it really helps as this is a whole different game

[Salmon King]

I ordered the T-4 Panther.  I will be installed on Tuesday after the holiday and yes I got the Saltwater Model.  Thank you for all the help in deciding.  This site is great and for a guy who has only owned duck boats his whole life it really helps as this is a whole different game

Sprigg..
Where did you get it from and if you don't mind...what were the damages?

[Sprigg65]

Well I had an appointment made 2 weeks ago at Tom's outboard to have it installed Tuesday and as usual they dropped the ball.  Did not order the parts and did not call me and did not know what it was they were doing even though it was right there on there calendar.  Everytime!  No call backs, no communication.  5 times, I have been promised a call back there by them and 5 times I have had to call multiple times to talk to anyone and still never any answers.  But, they are really sorry.  I will look up the price for you

[StreamFixer]

With that track record, I would be looking for a different service facility....

StreamFixer

[Salmon King]

YOU sir are a much more forgiving customer than I!
I would have been a lost customer after the 2nd time!

[Sprigg65]

There really is no one else down here.  Verles in Shelton is always 3 to 4 weeks out no matter what.  Its crazy.  You think people would open at 5 or 6 AM to make more money rather than just run a standard 9 to 5 shift.  I own my own business and if it were me, I would hire a night crew for this time of year and look to cash in, but that's just a greedy business owner with some work ethic talking 

[StreamFixer]

I have no dogs in this fight.  That being said, Verles has good things being said on this board. 

Being a month out sucks, but still better than only 2 weeks and when arriving the shop has no idea who you are or why you are there so let's reschedule.

Sounds like an opportunity for a new, service oriented, business in the Olympia area.

STreamFixer

[Sprigg65]

Next time I will just plan it for the off season and use Verhls.  I was planning on getting this until Deanna said, can't we get something so I don't have to steer the boat all day and I can fish too!  Ha, yes we sure can!

[StreamFixer]

I think you will like your T-4.  I know I like mine (thank you Diablo).  However, don't think you will not be attentively steering.  This is not a set and forget system.  You would need the TR-1 (about $3K or more for that).  Just one that allows you to move around the boat and still have steering control of the kicker.

StreamFixer

[Sprigg65]

Yes, I know.  I just didn't think we needed the auto pilot.  this will be great just to be able to not have that darn connecting rod bar to always worry about and she can steer the boat with the remote while and watch the fish finder etc.   They are supposed to have it done this afternoon.  So, we shall see.

Steve

[Peddler]

Alternatives to Verles and Tom's include; Tangelwild Marine at Hawks Prairie, and Puget Marina on Johnson Point.  I've had work done by both, and have no complaints with either.  Not sure how-far out the get booked.  They'd be worth a call, in my opinion.

There's a mobile guy too, Gull Harbor Yacht Service.  I used him for a diesel heater install, and I believe he's done quite a bit for GregE too.

[GregE]

 

DAt be true!!      
Tim Lauer at Gull Harbor can be tough to get ahold of but given lead time  360 349 3935  ...  Puget Marine has Kodak doing some top rail mount touch up.  Charlie is the shop foreman there  360 491 7388.

Tom's does good work on my outboards  360 754 3882.  They have failed to call and discuss the findings with me several times though.

[Steve]

Verles flat out lied to me when I was looking to buy my boat. I have nothing good to say about them period.

[Sprigg65]

I didn't know Puget Marina did that kind of work.  Heck, I can walk to there from my house. 

Thank you guys.

By the way, we have only tested and not fished with the T4 yet, but from what we have done so far, I really think it is going to be just what we wanted.  I wish it did not stick out so far to the side.  It would be so easy to catch that on a dock post or something.  I guess I should have paid the extra $$$ for the T5 which mounts vertical. 

[Chuck Jones]

I can tell you from experience that having it stick out like that will eventually get it dinged.  It's difficult enough with one that sits vertical when the wind is blowing you up against the dock and your're trying to pull away.  I can imagine how difficult it might be with the motor sticking out the side....or did I read this wrong?

[Sprigg65]

Its the T4 unit in the black plastic box that sticks out from the kicker motor.  It does not stick out past the edge of the boat, but its close.  I have a couple of Snaps for the camp cover right there, I was thinking about trying to make something out of a small bumper that just snaps on to protect it.

Steve

[amazing grace]

Sounds like a good set up. what was the price for the T4 vs the T5?