Posted: October 06 2007 at 06:13 | IP Logged

I don't troll much, but when I did I discovered a problem with the hard top mounted outriggers. I put the poles in so we could troll between bottom spots last spring. We trolled a bit and then stopped to bottom fish. While we were drifting the poles squeaked as they swayed laterally. Fresh water stopped the squeaking for a while. When I climbed up to apply the water to the upper elbow of the pole holder, I noticed that the arm would move latterly about a quarter of an inch. When it moved it squeaked.

I took the poles out and did not use them again. As I said, I don't troll much. I had the dealer look at them when I had the boat in for service. They said that they tightened everything, but there was still some movement. Maybe that's just the way those are, was what the dealer said.

I decided that I'd get t the bottom of this now since I might troll once ore twice this fall. I set an email to Etec. That address bounced, so I call their office. Their out rigger guru was out of town, but he'd call me back. I'm happy to report that he did call me back and walked me through the easiest fix I have ever done.

See the handle that I have strapped down in the picture. I just had to remove it to reveal two screws that fix the handle assembly to the arm. These screws were very lose. I tightened them and put the handle back on. Voila, no more movement. Talking the manufacturer pays off.