FAQs

When using the Queaz-Away, where should the button rest on my arm?
The button should rest three fingers width below your wrist seam and in between the two central flexor tendons.

Does the Cable Buddy and Lube II fit all motors?
The Cable Buddy and Lube II work on all outboard steering cables. They’ll fit all major U.S. and foreign motors (7/8" x 14 pitch threads) except Mercury motors.

Why doesn’t the Lube II or Cable Buddy work with HP Mercury Outboard?
The Tilt tube has a different thread.

There is no locking nut on the steering rod side of my motor. Do I need to use the Lube II, and if so, where can I get one?
Not all motors have a locking nut on the steering rod side of the tilt tube. You don't need a locking nut to install Lube II. However if you want one you can buy a stainless steel or aluminum nut from a hardware store or engine dealer to fit the tilt tube. You would need a nut with the same inside diameter and tread pattern as Lube II, which is 7/8" by 14 pitch.

How many Rocker Stoppers do I need on each side of the boat to stabilize it?
Boats up to 26 feet need three Rocker Stoppers on each side. Boats 27 to 36 feet require four on each side. Use five Rocker Stoppers for boats 37 to 42 feet and six on each side for boats 43 to 50 feet.

Will the suction cups on the No Spill stay on the hull during fueling?
The suction cups should hold; however, if there is any doubt about No Spill's adhesion to the hull, you can have someone hold the bottle in place while fueling.

How large a fuel tank vent will the No Spill fit over?
No Spill fits fuel tank vents up to 1.5 inches in diameter.

My Mega-Light is dim and does not shut off in daylight. Why is this happening?
The lighter plug receptacle polarity is PROBABLY reversed. This defeats the photo cell and limits the current powering the bulb. Simply switch the wires entering to the receptacle.

My Mega-Light does not work after radio transmission. Why?
If you hang a Mega-Light from an insulated backstay wire used as a single side band radio antenna, the circuit will be damaged if the light is on during radio transmission. You need to unplug or move the Mega-Light when transmitting on single side band.

Why did I receive three different bulbs when I ordered the replacement bulbs for the Mega-Light?
The smaller bulb is for an old style Mega-Light, the two other bulbs are for the current model. Of these two, one is dimmer and has a lower current consumption. This bulb will have a smaller number on its side than higher current bulb.

Your earlier version of the LED Clusters used 7 LED’s now they only have 6 LED’s. Why is this?
We switched to transistorized circuit board and now we can drive 6 LED’s harder without risk of failure during voltage spikes. The light output is the same.

How bright does the LED cluster get?
Our LED clusters produce approximately the same light as a 10-watt incandescent bulb. However, the beam is much narrower at approximately 60 degrees. This makes for a good reading light, task light, engine room light etc. The beam is 11 feet in diameter at 10 feet away.

How much current does an LED cluster draw?
A 20-watt halogen bulb uses 1600 milliamps; an LED Cluster uses 68 milliamps, which is 23 times less current than the halogen bulb uses at 12 volts.

Why does the white LED Cluster cost twice as much as the red and amber?
The costs of materials and manufacturing required to make this bright white bulb are 6 times greater than those required for the colored bulbs.

Can you use LED Clusters as running lights?
No the LED Clusters do not direct the light at a proper angle to work as a running light.

Is the EchoMaster Radar Reflector Coast Guard approved?
Both the deluxe and standard Echomaster meet US Coast Guard requirements for lifeboat and life raft radar reflectors under SOLAS 74/83.

Will the Hand Bearing Compass work in the Southern Hemisphere?
Davis Instruments has another version of the Hand Bearing Compass that works better in the Southern Hemisphere. Its part number is 211S.

I want to use the TurboMeter in a vent and the wind enters from the side opposite the manual specifies. Will the TurboMeter measure correctly?
No, the wind must be directed at the backside of the TurboMeter. This is the side opposite the digital readout.

The stay at the top of my Windscoop has broken. Can I get a replacement stay or do I just throw the Windscoop away?
A replacement dowel with hooks is available from Davis Instruments. Its part number is R291A.

Will the Doel-Fin work with my Volvo Outdrive?
Volvo has manufactured many drives over the years. The Volvo 270 and SX drives don'’ require brackets to mount Doel-Fin. The Volvo 280,290 and 280 DP (Duo-Prop) incorporates the anti-cavitation plate as the exhaust port. Viewed from the rear, it is a wide flattened oval opening with a rubber flap, located above the prop. These drives are the only ones that require brackets to mount the Doel-Fin. The # 445 Bracket fits the 280 and 290 drives; the # 446 fits the Duo-Prop drive. 

Where is the best position to install the Doel-Fin?
As a rule of thumb centered over the propeller is best. On some motors this is not possible. You want both fin halves equally spaced fore and aft on the cavitation plate, SO THAT they are not pitched differently and the trailing edges are parallel with each other.

What are the advantages of using the Doel-Fin?
The advantages are better fuel mileage, faster out-of-the-hole times, less bow rise, slower planing speeds, better turning and rough water control.

Is the hardware for the Doel-Fin rustproof?
Yes, the hardware is stainless steel.

Will there be any metal corrosion between the hardware bolts of the Doel-Fin and the aluminum cavitation plate?
We have never seen the electrolysis cause a major problem. It might if your outdrive were immersed in salt water all the time, but since most people trailer their boats or lift the outdrive in the slip, the effects are minimal.

Does the Doel-Fin affect the top speed with the added drag?
The affect on top speed is minimal. Most people do not notice a drop off in top end speed. Some customers have noticed a 2% drop.

Could you offer any advice on how to hang my Echomaster ?
We recommend building the Echomaster around a backstay. This may not always be the best “catch rain” position, but it sure gets it out of the way. If you want to hoist it to the spreader, try a short bungee cord on the lower shroud that gets more tension as you hoist the unit. Another bungee cord on the upper shroud works well in many cases.

Can I troll faster then 2 MPH when using the Fish Seeker?
If you troll much faster than 2 MPH the Fish Seeker will develop “Speed” wobbles”, turbulence and eventually flip over and try to come to the surface.   The Fish Seeker is designed for a low trolling speed and not for use with deep diving lures.

Can you attach a device such as a dodger or flashers behind the Fish Seeker?
You do not want anything on the line that wobbles or has a lot of drag. A lot of drag will make the Fish Seeker flip over as if a fish were on the line.

Does the Windex 15 need to be balanced after purchasing?
Your Windex 15 should be balanced from the factory. If you think it is not we recommend you send it back to us for adjustment. If you would like to check it yourself you should do the following:  simply hold it sideways (the shaft perpendicular) and the vane should be horizontal to the ground. To adjust the balance, remove the brass clip holding the lead counterweight and slide the counterweight back and forth. Once balanced is achieved, put the clip back in place.

On the Mark 3 Sextant how do you read degrees and minutes?
You read degrees at the zero where the arm with the zero lines up with a degree mark. To read minutes, you simply find the two lines, one on the arm and one on the sextant body, that most match each other. There will only be two lines that match exactly or closest to each other and these are the minutes.

I have a wood boat, which has been out of water for some time, and the seams have opened up, is Slick Seam suitable for caulking this?
Yes Slick Seam will work well in this application. Slick Seam adheres best if the gap is deeper than it is wide. Apply Slick Seam with a plastic putty knife and clean up with mineral spirits for best results.