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Been too busy or broken to get very far. Plan was to attack it during 'lockdown', but that has been even busier than usual.

Pretty sure the factory will retrofit a GPS control unit. Shouldn't be too difficult to DIY one if you have electronics bent.

Well unfortunately most of the gear for the project has been packed for the house repairs, that we are still waiting for, and looks like we will be waiting longer for since Fletchers/EQR have dropped...

That little board in the middle is the real heart. It is a little computer that can be programmed from a computer and all the little dots around it at where you connect it to power, other circuits,...

The brains have arrived. The micro-controller and GPS module next to an 18650 cell and and empty 223 case.

http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab7/gadgetman_nz/DSC_0903a_zps6689a385.jpg

Yup. From an individual transistor to a complete engine rebuild kit for my wagon.

Exactly. I'm thinking of all sorts of things to do with the pile of extra bits I ordered; at those prices I figured one wasn't enough. Could flog off the programmed brains on TM and make a killing...

Bugger it, I can't turn the brain off. Would be easy enough to have the thing continue to monitor the GPS and after a set period of time decide if it is being dragged back to its start point or not....

It will not have any display as such as an unmanned kontiki wont need one, though it could be added.

GPS Module

Free shipping ! GY NEO6MV2 new GPS module NEO6MV2 NEO 6M with Flight Control...

Looking at the electronics side of things it isn't going to be as easy as I thought. It is going to be easier and cheaper. I reckon the guts can be put together for NZ$25-30 for a GPS guidance based...

The mono is quite soft and their teeth are quite hard and sharp with some pressure behind them.

6mm would be a bit overkill size wise too.

I like the sound of that.

Not many boats about out there but apparently a hell of a lot of sharks. Also a steep and stony beach. I like the idea of efficiency and removing what risks are practicable.

Yes the tow line will be on the surface. The bait line will be wound on a separate cassette reel that will plug into the centre of the kontiki. At the appropriate time the reel will be released (via...

I was just about to ask that! I'm definitely giving this thing a crack and it will be a bit more than your usual kontiki as I want to keep the trace with bait away from the tow line and cut down on...

Thanks samba. That is a nice looking set up.

Reckon I'll be taking up that offer too thanks Gibo and "The Banished One!"

With motor power you don't have to rely on the wind from any particular direction. When was the last time you saw a sailing ship plying the freight trade? And I don't recall you yelling any commands...

Thanks Chris. Searching the web I've seen some of those, Google seems to know all about you. Should be right on the electronics having done electrical and electronic engineering.

I have an idea of who I'll give it to. A guy that was injured at work and now unable to work. Help him feed the tribe and get out of the house.

Things are progressing. Have component weights and rough dimensions required for buoyancy. Plans are drawn up and the hull build will begin shortly. I have the motor, a couple of batteries,...

Integrating it into the kontiki (I thought about it about 15 years ago) would mean it is in better synch with the kontiki motor. Use two timing boards, 1st one is for the line drop and that triggers...

Just the one line. The bit that attracts the fish and predators is not part of the bit you rely on to get the knotiki back.

Just integrate something like this into the kontiki itself.
...

What I was thinking. The braid would be getting dragged through fine sand which would probably get into id and abrade from the inside.

Looking at integrating a long line dropper system to cut down...

But I love to tinker with stuff and make things. Knowing me I'll give it away once I've made it.