autopilot

[bobber]

Any information or experience with an autopilot for a boat of 20ft. or less. Performance,Installation,Cost?

[LoweMac]

Bought a 19 foot Roughneck last year that had a TR-1 installed on the kicker. Only have one season's experience with it going after walleyes and salmon. The system works exceptionally well in moderate seas,but when the wind/water kicks up,I've found the system doesn't react quickly enough and the boat spins. It's a "point it and go" logic,so wide sweeping turns keeps you on the button,which is a pain. Also had the experince of trolling for salmon for 6 hours 10 miles out on Lake Michigan which killed the cranking battery (remember,the TR-1 is ALWAYS drawing off the battery)but that's another story.The TR-1 is really a primo unit,but a 2 grand a copy....

[LoweMac]

Bought a 19 foot Roughneck last year that had a TR-1 installed on the kicker. Only have one season's experience with it going after walleyes and salmon. The system works exceptionally well in moderate seas,but when the wind/water kicks up,I've found the system doesn't react quickly enough and the boat spins. It's a "point it and go" logic,so wide sweeping turns keeps you on the button,which is a pain. Also had the experince of trolling for salmon for 6 hours 10 miles out on Lake Michigan which killed the cranking battery (remember,the TR-1 is ALWAYS drawing off the battery)but that's another story.The TR-1 is really a primo unit,but a 2 grand a copy....

[SeaCat]

Have had an Autohelm Sport Pilot Plus on my last two boats -- 22' w/ 235 HP outboard and 21' dual 90 HP outboard. Best thing I have installed since electric downriggers for letting me fish by myself when trolling!

Cost is $800 to $1000 mainly depending on whether you have hydraulic steering. Installation is pretty easy -- about 3-4 hours the first time, 3 hours flat the second and the second boat included interfacing it to my GPS.

Real reliable and has done a good job. I have had it out in 5' seas on Lk Michigan and it definately did a better job than I could have. Also works great on plane.

Did notice that there was one listed by Boaters World on eBay a couple days ago. Might save some money.

Ryan

[Mattman]

3 seasons ago a buddy of mine got an AutoPilot. He went through two that season and the next. He got a Maxumm and hasn't had a problem since.

[Sparky]

I would suggest that you contact TR1 about your trolling problem in rough seas. I fish Lake Michigan for 16 days straight every August and have been in rougher seas than you mention with no spinning problem at all. It might need to have the tuning adjusted. The only possible problem I can see is if there is high wind, lots of sail area on your boat, and your kicker doesn't have enough power to overcome it. Then you can mark the fish, run upwind about 1/2 mile, set up, and then troll down wind. You can also go downwind with the kisker and autopilot set in reverse if your downwind speed is too fast. No other autopilot is capable of this! It is the fastest reacting autopilot that I have come across but it can be adjusted to react slower. It sounds like that might be what's going on with yours. Also, I've trolled for over 12 hours straight without my battery going down. I have on onboard charger and upon plugging it in that evening the charger shutdown within 5 minutes with the battery topped off. I have a 9.9 4 stroke Yamaha kicker that keeps the battery charged while trolling. I'm not sure what the amp draw is on the TR1 but, give them a call and I'm sure that they can tell you. They are very patient with service calls. I have called them from the lake for an on the water autopilot tuning training session. They were very helpful and didn't rush me. Please contact them because your boat shouldn't spin in the manner that you relate.

Sparky