Raytheon Sportpilot

[Gilligan]

3 questions on the Sportpilot. If you are running them are you satisfied with the unit ... has anyone done their own installation and how difucult is it as the dealer here has never installed one and wont touch it... and would you recomend with or without the optional remote?

Thanks!

[SeaCat]

LAST EDITED ON Mar-14-01 AT 08:59PM (CST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Mar-14-01 AT 08:57*PM (CST)

I have had one on my boat for the last 3 years -- 2 different boats. Did the install on both myself. Both boats were outboards with hydraulic steering. No problems with either, but the second one only took about half as long (4-5 hours: boat #1; 3 hours: boat #2).

I'm not overly handy, but do do all of my own electronics installs -- VHF, sounders, GPS, riggers... The instructions are not bad, but there are a couple of areas you have to really pay attention to. Main problem is that the one manual covers all of the possible installs -- outboard, IO, manual and hydraulic steering. You have to be careful that what you are reading really applies to your installation.

The other variable is what kind of boat and steering system you are using. Although I did not install on an IO, it looks to be a little more difficult. This probably depends on how accessable the steering arms are. On the hydraulic installs I did it is real important to have a path to run the lines to the rear of the boat. It is mechanical, so I beleive it can run right next to transducer cables -- not a problem for me and I have two running in the same conduit to the stern.

As for peformance, it has done everything I want it to. The two boats were a 22' walkaround cuddy (~6000#) and a 21' center console catamaran (4300# -- a SeaCat SL1 :-)). Have had it troll all day at 1.5-4 mph in calm to 4' seas with no problems. Also runs on plane at 30 mph in 2-3' seas with no problems.

I have heard that some people have had durablility problems with the units. I average about 2-3 days a week on the lake from April to November trolling 4 to 12 hours per day and not a glitch. The SportPilot Plus is rated for hulls up to 10,000 #, so maybe my application is not stressing it too much. I would assume hydraulic steering has to put less strain on the unit -- it sure is easier for me to steer!

Ryan

PS: I dont' have the remote, so I can't offer any insights.

[Boatnut]

Gilligan,
I had one on a 26' cruiser that i used for fishing and...cruising. The unit did real well up on plane. It did an ok job while trolling but would not hold a course if there was much wind and i was trying to go upwind. From what i hear, this is common with a lot of autopilots. I most always had my bimini up and often the side and front curtains in which meant a lot of area for the wind to push the boat around. Downwind it did great. I also dragged two trolling bags which could of affected it too.
If I had it to do over on that particular boat , i would of spent the extra 300 bucks or so to upgrage to the ST5000 unit.
On a smaller fishing boat though, i'd probably go with the sportpilot. I've heard nothing but good things from people using them on those types of boats.
my 2 cents
Mike(boatnut)

[Larry]

I have the unit on an 18' boat and did my own installation. The toughest part was running the wiring around some bulkheads to keep the wiring neat. I don't have a "remote" and have no need for one. The unit works equally well on plane and trolling speeds. My primary use is for salmon/trout on the Big Pond and would seldom (if ever) troll into the wind. The operation is very simple...just point the boat in the direction you want to go and engage the unit. If you want to change direction, turn the steering wheel and hold it for a few seconds while the unit locks onto the new heading and let go. I didn't even bother to hook it up to my GPS. If you want to run very slow with the kicker, lock the kicker straight ahead, put the main motor in neutral, and let the autopilot control the boat using the main motor as the rudder....no need to even connect the two motors. Works great for late season walleyes but like most slow trolling should be done w/ the wind behind you. You can "cheat" to one side or the other by angling the kicker a bit.

[Airwave(OH)]

I installed one on my boat and a buddys. It's not that hard. Like Mike(Boatnut) said it works fine except in certain situations where your either heading into the wind(15mph+) & waves or in very high waves. At speed it works great and for the most part I am satisfied with it. It allows you to take your hands off the wheel to do things and thats what I wanted it for. Just don't forget to look forward sometimes , It's easy to forget when the fish are biting.:)The boat you have will make a difference too. The heavier the boat the better it'll work. You won't get tossed around as much with the heavier boat.

[JustLookN]

Had one on a 24 ft Thompson,worked great and still works great for guy i sold boat to. I did try it once with trolling bags and it affected it alot but used a trollamatic/plate instead of the bags and then no problem...Good luck..Bob