ultrex question

[buster502]

if my speed dial is on say 3 and i am on spot lock and the wind picks up will the ultex automatically speed up to hold the boat in place,i was in 20 mph wind today and mine would not stay locked in place,but it seems in calmer winds its fine thanks

[H-D Dad]

Was it kicking out of spotlock, or just not holding close to the spot?

[buster502]

well it seemed like when the wind was around 20 mph it would keep searching for the spot if i remember right,but if its windy do you need to turn your speed dial up higher or will it do it on its own

[H-D Dad]

Is the heading sensor installed and calibrated? What type boat, you may need to adjust boat scale?

[buster502]

i just done the set up and done the heading sensor and calibrated it,ranger r83

[akaslyguy]

In high winds, increasing the boat scale can help a lot. That's what I do in higher than normal wind or current.

[H-D Dad]

Try setting the boat scale to +1. It doesn't use the speed setting on the foot pedal.

[buster502]

i will check that thanks

[hunter35745]

Is changing the boat scale something you do with the remote ?

[fishin couillon]

What is the purpose of boat scale?

[NailerB]

It tries to match the amount of thrust needed to move the boat to the size and weight of your boat. It helps prevent throwing you out when it kicks on and helps prevent blowing by your anchor point.

FWIW

[SoonerFan]

Another thing... It's real easy to hit the pedal without realizing it and turning off spot lock.

[akaslyguy]

Is changing the boat scale something you do with the remote ?

Yes. The way I describe boat scale is... when it is set at it's lowest setting (-2), the motor will use a low amount of prop speed (at first) to make adjustments since the lowest setting means a smaller/lighter boat. In heavy winds or current, this can make the boat drift a ways from a spot lock position because of starting off as this low speed before it finally ramps up to the needed speed to get you back. So most of the time, the motor is working to get you back to the spot (slowly), but finally realizes it's still loosing ground and kicks into a higher speed. If you adjust the setting higher (-1, 0, +1, or +2) each higher setting is telling the motor, this boat is bigger or heavier so it needs to start off with a little more thrust to get the same amount of movement it would take to slightly move a smaller/lighter boat. It seems to start up with a little more force the higher you set it and in turn, the ramping thrust will be stronger/quicker because it started off stronger. So... if the wind is blowing you too far away and then the motor finally ramps up high to get you back, increasing boat scale will probably help.

On the other side of things... if the motor is shooting you past your spot lock constantly and then readjusting over and over, it is probably because your boat scale is set too high and you need to lower the setting. The default setting is 0 from the factory. I use -1 or -2 on my 20ft fish and ski boat 90% of the time, but I have needed to increase it on extreme days/conditions. Hope this helps.

Joe

[Jerry L]

Following this thread. Thank you. Great information!

[fishnfireman]

Great explanation from akaslyguy.
As mentioned by some-- the foot pedal speed dial has NO bearing on how fast or slow the prop turns when using spot lock. I have heard several people talk about making sure to have the dial turned down so it does not throw you out.. The speed dial does not control the speed when the GPS is adjusting.
Also as mentioned it is very easy to inadvertently take it off spot lock by touching anything on the pedal or the remote.

[Squire]

Great thread. I used my Ultrex the first time Saturday and its da bomb....

[buster502]

seems like the adjustment step should have been on that heading and on the water set up,i did not see it in the manual,thanks bbc guys for the information

[Wild Heethen]

Yes. The way I describe boat scale is... when it is set at it's lowest setting (-2), the motor will use a low amount of prop speed (at first) to make adjustments since the lowest setting means a smaller/lighter boat. In heavy winds or current, this can make the boat drift a ways from a spot lock position because of starting off as this low speed before it finally ramps up to the needed speed to get you back. So most of the time, the motor is working to get you back to the spot (slowly), but finally realizes it's still loosing ground and kicks into a higher speed. If you adjust the setting higher (-1, 0, +1, or +2) each higher setting is telling the motor, this boat is bigger or heavier so it needs to start off with a little more thrust to get the same amount of movement it would take to slightly move a smaller/lighter boat. It seems to start up with a little more force the higher you set it and in turn, the ramping thrust will be stronger/quicker because it started off stronger. So... if the wind is blowing you too far away and then the motor finally ramps up high to get you back, increasing boat scale will probably help.

On the other side of things... if the motor is shooting you past your spot lock constantly and then readjusting over and over, it is probably because your boat scale is set too high and you need to lower the setting. The default setting is 0 from the factory. I use -1 or -2 on my 20ft fish and ski boat 90% of the time, but I have needed to increase it on extreme days/conditions. Hope this helps.

Joe

Excellent explaination. We need you over on the Lowrance forum to explain stuff in 'English' I can understand easier.

[akaslyguy]

Excellent explaination. We need you over on the Lowrance forum to explain stuff in 'English' I can understand easier.

I used to be..... but switched to Humminbird Mega units last year. I still like to look in and keep up with what's going on from time to time... but now I'm an outsider

[buster502]

i fished today in about 15 mph wind,i ended up setting mine on +2 (boat scale) seemed a lot better