Acting strange when you crank the motor seems to indicate poor power to the unit, better check the wiring, particularly the voltage. You don't specify what units you have, whether they are DI or SI units or networked together or all those type details. I think you might consider leaving the poles at home and spending the day tinkering with your units to learn them better.
The others are correct when they say time on the water is the best teacher there is.
Yes, I was talking to myself; sometimes even I have to ask for expert advice.