View Full Version : Autopilots, HELP!
Gilligan
09-05-2000, 03:53 PM
After my last trolling fiasco on Lake Erie by myself looking like the town drunk going in circles I've decided it's time for an autopilot.
Anyone running them with any insight? I run an 18' Fisher with 75hp but would like to upgrade to a slightly larger boat in a few seasons, would like unit to work with the new rig as well. Thanks!
Raytheon Sport Pilot should work nicely on that rig, and be useable on larger boat a swell. I know 1 guy who runs a 26' IO and does fine with it. Mechanical or Hydrolic steerng may be your bugga-boo. If you troll with a kicker the Electro-Steer may be a way around the problem. Good luck
High seas and winds and current are still challenges for autopilots...
I fish solo and for me it's a godsend.I run a 20 foot Seanymph, with a 9,9 kicker tied to main motor.A Raytheon Sport pilot plus keeps the boat on course. Best results are when I run or troll to a waypoint.The autopilot gets its instuctions from my gps.(Raytheon 420 D )
I am very satisfied with the performance and service of Raytheon. There are others, do some comparison shoping.
Good luck.
eagle ears
09-05-2000, 08:41 PM
I have a 48# autopilot on a 19 ft. boat and it does great. It is 3 or4 years old and I would now opt for the 55# if given the choice. This is only because of extreme cases of high wind and waves. I don't think I could ever go back to a footcontrol now.
JCarp
09-05-2000, 09:20 PM
I'd certainly trust the 1st two posts. I can only dream...
I use my kicker set on a straight course for power and a 12 volt bow mount electric autopilot to steer. Just enough electric power to steer and two batteries will always get you through the day, usually one. Drop speed down on kicker to fight fish and the autopilot electric keeps you on course. Works pretty good. Not what you were looking for...
Smitty
09-06-2000, 06:57 AM
If I can ask, what is the approximate cost of the SportPilot? Also, you mentioned others. Other than TR-1, what else it out there?
Sport Piolts run 700 - 1000 depending on what you want or need. The Electro- steer is a Panther Marine Products item it costs around 300 bucks and gives you kicker steering on a 20' cable. Works fast enough to be better than you might imagine (full throw left to right is 4 seconds). These are costs of units and do not include installation. Hope this helps. Good luck