Empathy List Archives

J&

Jim & Emily

Mon, Jul 12, 2004 7:12 AM

A while back I had commented about installing the Follow-Me system on my boat and had several of you request info on what I thought about it, but since I have forgotten who wanted the info I will just post my report here for all to read.

I installed the unit about two to three weeks ago and was quite pleased with how easy it was to install, that is the unit itself, as for the wiring to the inside of the boat that was a different story involviing literally hours of disassemleing panels, etc. to route the cables.

Finally got out of the marina last night away from the dock for the actual first night on the hook with the boat. It was a relatively calm night, wind was variable at about 8-10 kts. On the way out we took on 300 gallons of fuel on top of the 200 gallons of water we had placed into the aft water tanks. Unfortunately I have discovered that my boat, a Hatteras 48 LRC already has about a 2 degree list to stbd which I attribute to the huge battery bank that was placed on the stbd side, about 1000 lbs of batteries. I can level the boat by filling the port water tank and leaving the stbd empty, but normally I will fill both tanks when leaving the dock. Also the LRC is full displacement with a fairly round hull cross section, it is a rolly boat.

I became quite frustrated attempting to maintain a signal on the Satellite, everytime we moved the picture either froze or we lost the signal entirely, this went on for the entire evening despite my several trips to the upper deck to check that the Follow-Me unit was level. Even when we were not rolling, but were merely swinging slowly on the anchor the unit would not track. I don't think me and this unit are going to be friends very long, I already wish I had popped the big bucks for the KVH unit.

Jim Alexander

Serendipity
Hatteras 48LRC

A while back I had commented about installing the Follow-Me system on my boat and had several of you request info on what I thought about it, but since I have forgotten who wanted the info I will just post my report here for all to read. I installed the unit about two to three weeks ago and was quite pleased with how easy it was to install, that is the unit itself, as for the wiring to the inside of the boat that was a different story involviing literally hours of disassemleing panels, etc. to route the cables. Finally got out of the marina last night away from the dock for the actual first night on the hook with the boat. It was a relatively calm night, wind was variable at about 8-10 kts. On the way out we took on 300 gallons of fuel on top of the 200 gallons of water we had placed into the aft water tanks. Unfortunately I have discovered that my boat, a Hatteras 48 LRC already has about a 2 degree list to stbd which I attribute to the huge battery bank that was placed on the stbd side, about 1000 lbs of batteries. I can level the boat by filling the port water tank and leaving the stbd empty, but normally I will fill both tanks when leaving the dock. Also the LRC is full displacement with a fairly round hull cross section, it is a rolly boat. I became quite frustrated attempting to maintain a signal on the Satellite, everytime we moved the picture either froze or we lost the signal entirely, this went on for the entire evening despite my several trips to the upper deck to check that the Follow-Me unit was level. Even when we were not rolling, but were merely swinging slowly on the anchor the unit would not track. I don't think me and this unit are going to be friends very long, I already wish I had popped the big bucks for the KVH unit. Jim Alexander Serendipity Hatteras 48LRC

CG

Chris Grubb

Mon, Jul 12, 2004 6:38 PM

Good post Jim. I'd recommend to call the service line for the follow me
tech line. They may be able to shed some light on this subject. I do not
own one at the present but it is in the budget. I've called the tech line
before and the fellow (Ray) was very helpful. Also, could it be with the 2
degree list, the vertical adjustment changes too much as boat spins (did you
level the follow me by using a level or did you level with the boat-maybe
leveling to the boat will rectify)? I'd like to know this also as we have a
different list when the dinghy is on vs. off the boat.
Chris

<<<<<<<<<<<<
I became quite frustrated attempting to maintain a signal on the Satellite,
everytime we moved the picture either froze or we lost the signal entirely,
this went on for the entire evening despite my several trips to the upper
deck to check that the Follow-Me unit was level. Even when we were not
rolling, but were merely swinging slowly on the anchor the unit would not
track. I don't think me and this unit are going to be friends very long, I
already wish I had popped the big bucks for the KVH unit.

Good post Jim. I'd recommend to call the service line for the follow me tech line. They may be able to shed some light on this subject. I do not own one at the present but it is in the budget. I've called the tech line before and the fellow (Ray) was very helpful. Also, could it be with the 2 degree list, the vertical adjustment changes too much as boat spins (did you level the follow me by using a level or did you level with the boat-maybe leveling to the boat will rectify)? I'd like to know this also as we have a different list when the dinghy is on vs. off the boat. Chris <<<<<<<<<<<< I became quite frustrated attempting to maintain a signal on the Satellite, everytime we moved the picture either froze or we lost the signal entirely, this went on for the entire evening despite my several trips to the upper deck to check that the Follow-Me unit was level. Even when we were not rolling, but were merely swinging slowly on the anchor the unit would not track. I don't think me and this unit are going to be friends very long, I already wish I had popped the big bucks for the KVH unit. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

BP

Bob Peterson

Mon, Jul 12, 2004 6:40 PM

Jim, thanks for the report. I too had been seriously looking at the
Follow-Me dish antenna aimer and had hoped it might work. If I understand
your report correctly, the unit did NOT work when underway, which they tell
you it won't. But you're saying that it did not work properly at anchor
either? Darn. That's where I had hoped it might function well. Looks like
I'll have to research more.

Have you corresponded with Follow-Me and have they recommended any fixes?

Thanks,

Bob Peterson
47' Lien Hwa CMY
"Lopaka Nane"
San Francisco

-----Original Message-----
From: Jim & Emily
Sent: Monday, July 12, 2004 12:13 AM
To: trawlers-and-trawlering@lists.samurai.com
Subject: T&T: Follow-me-tv report

Even when we were not rolling, but were merely swinging slowly on the anchor
the unit would not track. I don't think me and this unit are going to be
friends very long, I already wish I had popped the big bucks for the KVH
unit.

Jim Alexander

Jim, thanks for the report. I too had been seriously looking at the Follow-Me dish antenna aimer and had hoped it might work. If I understand your report correctly, the unit did NOT work when underway, which they tell you it won't. But you're saying that it did not work properly at anchor either? Darn. That's where I had hoped it might function well. Looks like I'll have to research more. Have you corresponded with Follow-Me and have they recommended any fixes? Thanks, Bob Peterson 47' Lien Hwa CMY "Lopaka Nane" San Francisco -----Original Message----- From: Jim & Emily Sent: Monday, July 12, 2004 12:13 AM To: trawlers-and-trawlering@lists.samurai.com Subject: T&T: Follow-me-tv report Even when we were not rolling, but were merely swinging slowly on the anchor the unit would not track. I don't think me and this unit are going to be friends very long, I already wish I had popped the big bucks for the KVH unit. Jim Alexander

PJ

Philip J. Rosch

Mon, Jul 12, 2004 9:13 PM

I've had mine 5 years with no problems. My guess is it's your wiring. The
signal is very sensitive to moisture. Test it tied to a dock with the system
off. If you still have problems it's the azimuth or elevation.

                                      Regards....

Phil Rosch
Old Harbor Consulting
M/V Curmudgeon MT-44TC
Currently moored in Block Island, RI

I've had mine 5 years with no problems. My guess is it's your wiring. The signal is very sensitive to moisture. Test it tied to a dock with the system off. If you still have problems it's the azimuth or elevation. Regards.... Phil Rosch Old Harbor Consulting M/V Curmudgeon MT-44TC Currently moored in Block Island, RI

trawlers@lists.trawlering.com

Follow-me-tv report