LaurencetheAdventurer
Well-Known Member
So - I had a chance to finally use the Smart Tow feature in my Simrad / Mercury setup. WOW.
Though I am still trying to fully understand all the setting, using adjusted versions of the pre-programmed versions and using my teens as test subjects (TOUGH LITTLE BUGGERS) - LOVE IT. The system allows you to set MPH, RPM (not sure how the RPM is used, the MPH is the constant), hole shot thrust, and put's this info on an easy to understand graph - I call it beginner, typical and advanced (really based on the time to reach target speed) - one kid liked the beginner, one liked the typical, both though the advance was a bit fast but both popped up quickly). Based on the skier I select one of these three programs (the interface to select the program is a bit clumsy), tighten up the rope, and push the throttle WOT - the computer does the rest, brining the boat up to the desired speed - no need to have the experience with throttle adjustments, allowing me to better monitor the skier and everything going on around me. To adjust the speed, I then use the Simrad which has a large +/- touch points. Now I have pulled enough skiers that it will be interesting to see how often I use it - but the THE BIGGEST ADVANTAGE - it takes the experience factor out of popping up a skier and maintaining speed - meaning my co-captains can now pull ME (as the most skilled part is the hole shot & speed maintenance)!
Great stuff!!!!!!
Though I am still trying to fully understand all the setting, using adjusted versions of the pre-programmed versions and using my teens as test subjects (TOUGH LITTLE BUGGERS) - LOVE IT. The system allows you to set MPH, RPM (not sure how the RPM is used, the MPH is the constant), hole shot thrust, and put's this info on an easy to understand graph - I call it beginner, typical and advanced (really based on the time to reach target speed) - one kid liked the beginner, one liked the typical, both though the advance was a bit fast but both popped up quickly). Based on the skier I select one of these three programs (the interface to select the program is a bit clumsy), tighten up the rope, and push the throttle WOT - the computer does the rest, brining the boat up to the desired speed - no need to have the experience with throttle adjustments, allowing me to better monitor the skier and everything going on around me. To adjust the speed, I then use the Simrad which has a large +/- touch points. Now I have pulled enough skiers that it will be interesting to see how often I use it - but the THE BIGGEST ADVANTAGE - it takes the experience factor out of popping up a skier and maintaining speed - meaning my co-captains can now pull ME (as the most skilled part is the hole shot & speed maintenance)!
Great stuff!!!!!!