Here black striped kitty kitty kitty

[munchkin]

Mojo,

Glad to hear that you seem to have the kinks worked out!!! Looking forward to seeing you on the docks reel soon!

[relay]

Mojo: As I read your post about crossing the wires, the light bulb when on. I remember that when I installed my Raymarine auto pilot a few years back, they did explain, in the manual, that if it goes hard over, switch the wires. I too could not figure out which wire to tie into which. I guessed correctly. My unit was the S1000 I believe.

Relay

[mojorisin]

So I called Raymarine customer service technical support today. As I was explaining my situation, the guy interrupted me and wouldn't let me explain the whole issue as he was aware of the problem and proceeded to minimize it.

I asked him nicely to let me finish explaining what happened to me and when I told him how the boat turned hard over at full speed and could have killed someone, he once again downplayed the issue and seemed annoyed that I wanted to tell my whole story when he had already told me the issue.

He told me that the wiring did not matter and that if it turned out to be reverse polarity, just switch the wires. Therefore, polarity does matter and they don't know how to wire it and there is a 50/50 chance of getting it right on each and every installation. My question then was why the manual does not state this and whyt the manual has not been updated since 2008 when they know the wire colors are wrong as well as the issue.

I nicely (yes, really) told him that it felt like he was arguing with me when I asked him why the product documentation does not note this situation and why it is not noted on the website. At that time he said "I told you what you need to know, now run with it" and he hung up on me.

I have another call into Raymarine haqving left a message with customer support management. Raymarine will never get another dime from me and I promise to tell my story on every website that I can unless the manager I left a message for at Raymarine calls me back and apologizes for his technician up and down to my satisfaction.

What a shame that they already have my money but it won't happen again.

[relay]

Mojo: I can't believe what I just read. That is wrong no matter what company it is. If it was me, I would go right up the chain of command of that company. There is absolutly no excuse for that what so ever. Please let all of us know what happens.

Can you imagine the lawsuit that could be filed against them if you would of been hurt or you hurt someone else. UNBELIEVABLE

Relay

[BFG]

Joe,

Bird Dog had the exact same problem. He never could get it figured out but it damn near threw me out of the boat on one occasion while on plane. After that, he typically did not use the Autopilot at all, as he didn't have the resources...nor the money to pay someone to fix it.

It was a royal PITA to deal with, as we would often fish with just the two of us on board and one guy always had to be at the wheel. We most certainly lost the Two on a Boat one year because of this situation, as we had 4 rods go off simultaneously in traffic and only boated two of them, and ultimately ended up with 8 of a possible 10 fish for the tourney..finishing in the high teens with only 8....

I will pass this info along to Bird Dog. Although his boat hasn't been wet in 2 years...he could easily fix the Autopilot problem it would seem.

On edit: You know what..now that I think about it..Salmonhead had this happen to him while Reid and I were on board one year in Ludington. Remember that one Reid? We were on plane and Paul hopped out from behind the helm to wave at a buddy's boat as we passed, when all of a sudden the damn boat did a 90 degree turn and we headed right for them! Paul turned the AP off and ripped the wheel back to starboard...luckily for us...

[RedRider]

Dang you got a good memory Clark. yes I do remember that little 9o degree weave.

[scrapper]

Wow, that is just amazing, if that happened to me you would have been able to read "tilt" across my forehead. Best of luck from here on out. Luck is 50/50 and it could have been a lot worse. (kinda like their wiring).

[awespray]

Every time I go out on Lake Michigan it tends to be a lesson in humility.

As soon as I think I have it all figured out, for sure I will struggle the next time out.

What a humbling experience.

To increase my odds, I am going to pay close attention to MojoRisin, Red Rider, Clam, Compulsivand & others on Channel 7 sharing info!

Awespray

[BFG]

Just keep offering up Labatt's at the dock John....that is worth every penny of info. that you get!!

I think you should put Matty and I on your boat with you some morning.....now THAT...is some kinda show...lol

We might not catch any fish, but we'll see how good they were at guessing the vessel capacity!

[awespray]

Clark, is that you? Go bucks = Clark =BFG?

Hey, you and Matty on board the Awespray would be a hoot!

Clam should pay attention to your line dance moves!

A cool LaBatt's is at the dock is not only refreshing, it is worth valuable info!

John
Awespray