Modern fishing for trophy fish has long ceased to be the lot of fans who are willing to row for hours against the wind. electric motors It's a radical change in the way we look at catchy spots, and it's a very special place in this segment for the Chinese brand. HeydayOften affectionately referred to as haibo or haidei, the key feature of which is the integration of the GPS module even in budget lines, allowing for features previously available only in premium Minn Kota engines.
The main value that brings GPS tracking The engine controls the boat, which is the ability to automatically hold the position, and the fisherman no longer uses the power to keep the gas pen running constantly to compensate for the wind or current, and the motor analyzes the coordinates and steers itself, staying at a given point with an accuracy of several meters, and this is critical when fishing for a jig or a wobblear, when you need to repeatedly pass the same brow.
Owners of PVC boats often choose this Heyday It's because of its light weight and ease of installation, because having a remote with a color display and the ability to connect to a smartphone via Wi-Fi makes it intuitive, but if you want to make it work for years without failure, you need to understand the principles of how it works, you need to set it up properly. anchorage And we'll go through all the aspects of battery charging in this article.
The principle of operation of the GPS module and positioning functions
At the heart of the positioning system Heyday It's a satellite receiver, which is usually embedded in the engine body or placed on a separate antenna, and when it's turned on, it starts looking for satellites, which takes 30 seconds to 2 minutes depending on the weather and the open sky. controller It remembers the current coordinates and starts comparing them to the actual position of the boat in real time.
The main function that these motors are used for is called "Anchor Mode," which is that when you activate this mode, the motor automatically creates a virtual anchor at the current point, and if the boat blows away with the wind, the system instantly reacts and steers, returning the boat to its original position. screw-groupThe battery will be used more actively than in normal movement.
There's also a Circle mode that allows you to move around a circle with a given radius, which is ideal for catching a snag or exploring the bottom relief around a particular point, and the radius can be adjusted directly from the control panel, increasing or decreasing the diameter of the circle depending on the fishing tasks.
Precision of positioning
Under ideal conditions (open skies, weak wind), the error of GPS-modules Heyday is 1-2 meters. with strong wind or current, the system can allow drift up to 3-5 meters, as the power of the motor is limited and can not always compensate for the elements.
It's worth noting that GPS's performance is directly dependent on the number of satellites visible, and in narrow ducts overgrown with high banks or trees, the signal can be unstable, in which case the system can temporarily disable the autopilot and switch to manual mode, as it will report with an audible signal.
Preparation for installation: battery selection and installation
Before the first launch, you need to find the right power source. HeydayAs with most traction class analogues, special deep discharge batteries are required. The use of starter car batteries is strictly not recommended, since they are not designed for long-term energy return by low currents and will quickly fail.
The best choice will be AGM or GEL 100Ah batteries. The higher the capacity, the longer you can use GPS and autopilot functions without recharging. The PVC mounting of the motor on the transom of the boat must be rigid. Any vibrations and backlashes can lead to false readings of sensors and rapid wear of mechanical components.
When installing the motor on an inflatable boat, be sure to use an additional safety loop (tether). If the fastener slips off the transom, the cable will hold the motor in water and prevent it from drowning.
An important step is to calibrate the compass, which is often required after installation. The motor must "understand" where magnetic north is to correctly plot routes. The procedure is usually done through the remote menu: select "Calibration" and slowly turn the boat 360 degrees, following on the screen.
☑️ Check before the first launch
Setting up routes and working with waypoints
One of the most useful features for anglers is the ability to save the waypoints, so you can map a catchy dump, a fish park, or a dangerous driftwood, and the motor will help you get back to the right place to get there within a meter. Heyday With Wi-Fi support, this can be done directly from your smartphone through a special application, which is much more convenient than poking buttons on the remote with wet hands.
To create a route, you have to go to the navigation menu and select "Save point." The system will record the current coordinates. Then, selecting this point from the list, you can activate the "GoTo" mode. The motor will independently plot the course and lead the boat to the target, adjusting the direction during demolition, which frees the fisherman's hands to prepare the gear.
When planning complex routes that consist of multiple points, it is important to consider the direction of wind and current. Although the GPS system tries to go the shortest way, sometimes it makes sense to set intermediate points to bypass shallow water or thickets of grass that can wind on the screw.
Keeping your favorite fishing points in your motor memory saves time on your search and allows you to return to your verified locations even months later if you have the coordinates.
Some models allow you to import tracks from third-party navigators or maps, which allows you to plan the route of the house in advance on a large computer screen and load it into the motor before going to the pond.
Compatibility with sonar and additional equipment
Modern fishing is a symbiosis of technology. Electric motor. Heyday GPS works well with sonars, especially if they have a built-in GPS module, but for maximum efficiency, a bundle is often used, where the motor receives speed and position data, and the sonar only scans the bottom, which reduces the load on the sonar processor.
When using wired connections, it is important to keep the connectors tight; moisture entering the contacts can cause corrosion and signal loss; many fishermen additionally treat the connectors with silicone lubrication before the season.
Below is a table of compatibility of the main functions of Heyday engines with popular sounder brands:
| A brand of sonar | Type of connection | Data exchange | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garmin | Wi-Fi / NMEA 2000 | Complete. | Requires an adapter for older models |
| Lowrance | Wi-Fi / NMEA 2000 | Complete. | Perfect card synchronization |
| Humminbird | Bluetooth / Wi-Fi | Partial | Possible delays in updating coordinates |
| Practitioner | No straight line. | Missing. | They work independently of each other. |
Special attention should be paid to the issue of powering additional devices. If your sonar requires a lot of energy, it makes sense to power it with the same battery as the motor, but always through a fuse of the appropriate nominal value, this will make it easier to charge equipment at home.
Operation in difficult conditions: wind and flow
Fishing rarely goes to calm. Wind and current are the main enemies of accurate positioning. When the sidewall blows, the motor has to work to the limit of its ability to keep the boat at a point. traction If you choose a 30 pound model for a boat that requires 40 full loads, the GPS system will not work properly.
When you go against the current, the speed of the boat can slow down significantly. That's normal. The main thing is not to overheat the engine. Heyday equipped with cooling systems, long-term operation at maximum speeds in hot weather can lead to the operation of thermal protection and engine stop.
⚠️ Attention: When leaving the GPS anchor mode in high winds, the boat can turn or throw to the side abruptly. Always keep your hand on the tiller or be ready to take control so as not to hit the side or confuse the tackle.
The excitement of the water also makes its own adjustments. When the boat rocks, the GPS antenna shifts in space, which can be perceived by the system as drifting. The motor begins to actively steer, pulling the boat. In such cases, experienced anglers recommend a slight increase in the radius of tolerance in the settings or temporarily switch to manual control.
Winter fishing with an electric motor is possible, but requires a special approach to the battery. Lithium-iron-phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries are better at tolerated cold than lead-acid batteries, but they still need to be kept warm until the moment of launch.
Typical errors and system maintenance
Even the most reliable technique requires maintenance. One of the most common mistakes is to store a motor with a discharged battery. This leads to sulfation of the plates (in AGM) or a deep discharge (in Li-Ion), after which it is impossible to restore the capacity. After each fishing, the battery must be charged.
The engine screw and shaft are in constant contact with water, sand and grass. After each exit, it is advisable to remove the engine, wash with fresh water and visually inspect the condition of the lower unit. Sand trapped in the glands can quickly lead to water entering the engine and corrosion of the windings.
The remote software can also be updated, manufacturers periodically release firmware that improves GPS algorithms and fix bugs, and check for updates at least once a season through the app on your smartphone.
⚠️ Attention: Never wash the control panel or the motor itself with a high-pressure water jet (kerkercher) guaranteed to break the seals tightness and short circuit the electronics.
Regular lubrication of mechanical components, such as the rotary mechanism and the friction of the gears (if the design involves maintenance), will prolong the life of the device. Use only the lubricants recommended by the manufacturer so as not to damage the plastic parts.
Comparison of Heyday models and selection of the best option
Electric motor line Heyday It's quite wide, and it's easy for a beginner to get confused, and the main differences are in thrust, the length of the lower unit, and the availability of additional features, such as a color display on the remote or the ability to pedal. For PVC boats up to 3.5 meters long, 30-36 pounds is usually enough.
If you plan to fish in large reservoirs where the wind blows often, you'd better take a model with a thrust reserve of 40-50 pounds. This will ensure a more confident GPS anchor and allow you to travel longer distances faster. The length of the lower unit should be adjusted so that the screw plunges into the water 15-20 cm below the bottom of the boat, but not too deep, so as not to increase resistance.
Models with Wi-Fi modules are more expensive, but the ease of control from a smartphone is worth it. The ability to see battery power, speed, depth (when you connect the sensor), and a map on the phone screen makes fishing much more comfortable.
When choosing a motor, always round the necessary thrust in the big direction. Power reserve is a guarantee that GPS functions will work steadily even in windy weather.
In conclusion, it is worth saying that an electric motor with GPS is not easy.