I have a 20 boat with an I/O. My trolling moter is a 8 hp Honda. I am getting tired of reaching back there and steering it. What are my options? There are many hours spent trolling and would love to steer from the drivers seat. I can hook my Honda( with a rod) to my lower unit and this works to steer, the only draw back is the boat has power steering therefor the boat must be running. So I am back to steering from the tiller on the Honda.

I've got a 27ft Seasport, gas v-8 with power steering, Volvo outdrive, Yamaha 9.9 fourstroke and an Easy-Steer rod connecting the outdrive and the Yamaha. Works just fine with the main motor turned off. The marine power steering doesn't seem to be as stiff as an auto unit would be, even though they use the same pump. I do have hydraulic steering instead of cable, so that may make a difference.

Thanks for the replay Navigator. I have the easy steer rod and it is hard to steer with the mercruser with power steering.

For our steering rod we bent a piece of rebar. Same results, much cheaper. If that option isn't good then take the extension for a vaccum cleaner hose - you know that plastic thing the lady uses that makes alot of noise when your trying to watch t.v..
They are the same diamater as the handle on the kicker and act as an extension. I'f you desire you could even hook two together. This prevents you from having to reach back. Two change gears take a broom stick and put a metal ring on it, then when your fishing alone your not reaching to far back and fighting the fish at the same time.

I would get a TR-1 trolling motor auto pilot it costs a pretty penny but money well spent. :p

Nautamatic has rebuilt TR-1 units available once in a while. i have one of the older models. what a great way to troll. Gyro compass holds me on course real well even in pretty breezy conditions. Pretty nice to be able to net fish, check baits etc. and not worry about trying to steer at the same time.

have a 18ft intuder and a went the sportsman show and fund the perfect unit. because I had a sport jet I also liked to sit up front of my boat to stear. ITs also nice to be under cover when it rains. The unit I found is the Trol-Eze Hydrolic Steering System Model de4css-Qc 549.oo But worth it.. for more info call 208-882-6105

All Right! Thanks all! The TR 1 unit may be good, I will have to find some info on it. Chinooky-----I will call on that Trol-Ese.

I've been researching this for the past couple weeks. The TR-1 is awesome but be prepared to spend $2,000 for the unit and install Another option you might check out is the Panther Marine remote troll. Its around $300 but dont have throtlecontrol.Let me know what you end up with, Im still up in the air as to what to get.
Fool

Hey Fool, I found the site for the TR-1. Sounds nice, just to rich for my blood. I couldn.t find the panther product. I can live with out the trottle control. If you got more info let me know. Fish On!! Thanks

I have a 9.9 Merc 4 stroke on the back of a 21 ft Northwest jet. I have a system called an E.Z troll thats run off a cable that has a clicker that you can take up into the front of the boat. This thing is a huge hassel. You have to be right on top of it at all times. If there is any wind at all it almost impossible to hold the boat in a straight line. Its O.K on a lake with little wind and totally useless in a river