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Posts: 459
Location: New Baden IL | Anybody using a power assist for some of the bigger tiller handle boats?
I've been thinking about this for a while on my 620 Tiller.
Pros/Cons?
Thanks,
Rod |
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Posts: 32953
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Mertens is top shelf. Works like a charm, is positive power steering, and is bulletproof. It's a great product. |
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Posts: 459
Location: New Baden IL | Steve,
I googled Mertens, and couldn't come up with anything.
Any suggestions where I could get some info about it?
Thanks,
Rodney LaCaze |
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| Rodney
Just saw the system at MN boat show, all I can say it looks awsome!!!!! Running a 20' boat at 50 mph is pretty nuts, but its real. The handle has sensor that activates the "power steering". My son with 1 finger could push the handle and I could not stop the motor from turning. Also has the ability to lock throttle when make long runs, no longer have to keep pressure for twisting the throttle. It has me thinking of going back to a tiller.
Good luck
Troyz |
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Posts: 459
Location: New Baden IL | Troyz,
Do you remember the brand of the system you saw in MN?
Rod |
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| Do not now the name, I believe it is a technology that Ranger tiller guys George Feder and Pete harsh worked on, not for sure, but they were they guys demonstrating it at the show on the new 620T with 150T, it could be installed on your 620. For more info goto walleye central, both guys hang out there.
good luck
Troyz |
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Posts: 32953
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | It is made in Osh Kosh. I'll track it down and get you the details. The entire system was developed by Merten's, so I'll have to check with them to get details. It will be available on all Tuffy Tillers very soon as an option, and has already been tested and approved by Yar Craft. |
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| Steve, does that mean that some of the Tuffy tiller line will have a higher hp rating? |
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Posts: 32953
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | No worries, sir. Yes, the 2060 will rate 150 Tiller. |
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| Go to www.enginesteer.com
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Posts: 656
Location: Forest Lake, Mn. | I'm buying a Alumacraft Tournament Pro 185 tiller. This is 18 feet 11 inches by 96 wide. It's a big boat and as a tiller it's rated at 100 horse. Problem is no one is making a 100 horse, all 90's or 115's. I'm putting the new Mertens system on it. One of the questions I had when I called Tim at Mertens was with this product can I up the horsepower rating for my boat? His response was that by Coast Guard rules boats over 20 feet long could up their horsepower ratings using this steering system, but boats under 20 feet couldn't at this point in time because the Coast Guard doesn't have the $$$ to run new tests to check the safty of upping the horses on smaller boats that are equiped with this system. Tim felt that in the future that this was probable but until then I'm stuck running a 90 horse. I bought it though because I thought it would help with the arm strain from steering torque when the boat can't be trimmed/planed out due to rough water.
Edited by fishpoop 3/7/2005 8:45 AM
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Posts: 5874
| I don't think it's the CG's money that is stopping the testing. My guess is the MFG's would have to foot the bill for the reratings.
It is a pretty cool system. I heard Harsh set a record speed for a tiller boat on Bago last year during developement of the system. |
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Posts: 656
Location: Forest Lake, Mn. | Shep:
You may be right for all I know, I'm just reporting what was told to me by Mertens. Take it or leave it. None the less for me, I can't wait to get the new boat with the system installed. After we have open H2O I'll report my thoughts on the product. Hope this is a GREAT season for all of us. I know I could use one.
P.S. I work for the the Postal Service (No! I don't know Cliff Clavin! but there are some like him around there, too bad they wear the suits.) and I know that we have been cutting staff in our plant for the last 6-7 years. So I could believe after 9-11 that the C.G. probadly doesn't have the funds for this, I can't imagine that it's a high priority for them now.
Edited by fishpoop 3/8/2005 12:45 AM
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Posts: 5874
| Do us all a favor, and see if Sponge is in your office, hiding somewhere! hehehe
We all miss him here.
Can't wait for open water, either! |
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Posts: 656
Location: Forest Lake, Mn. | Shep:
Haven't had an e-mail from SpongeBob in quite some time, a year or more. But back in Dec of 1991? when the anthrax was moving through the mail(right after 9-11) we communicated. If memory serves, he works in a P.O. somewhere in New Jersey. I work the main office dwtn. St. Paul, Mn. So unless he put himself in a mailbag and shipped himself I doubt that I'll find him in my office. LOL! Yes he was a nice guy with a unique sense of humor. Don't have a clue what happend to him.
Edited by fishpoop 3/8/2005 10:10 PM
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