Autopilots

[Stinky Fingers]

I have a 1999 22' Wellcraft centerconsole and plan on installing an autopilot for the 2001 fishing season. The boat is equiped with a 200 Merc Opti and Hydraulic Steering. I fish lake erie and do a lot of trolling, I think the pilot would make things a little easier. I am currently trying to decide between a Raytheon Sportpilot Plus or a Raytheon ST-5000 below deck unit. The sportpilot seems like the best unit for the job but I am concerened about it being out in the elements.

Do any of you guys use or have used this unit? Any likes or dislikes?

[Denied]

Fingers, I have had the sportpilot on my 27ft sportcraft for 4 years now with no problems. I have a hard top so my unit is not in the open but it is sealed and should take the weather. If you have questions, e-mail me and I will try and help. I did install the unit myself.

Fishing Western Lake Erie aboard "DENIED"
web page; www.cliftond.com
e-mail cliftond@infinet.com

[ETT]

I have a friend who runs the Sport pilot on a 26' Penn Yan hard top with good results. The below decks unit may give you better control in more situations but I really don't know anyone with a Sport Pilot who is not happy with it.


No auto pilot is going to perfectly control your boat in all situations, (at least I haven't seen one yet that will). But they do help a bunch. good luck

[SeaCat]

On my second SportPilot.

Installed and used the SportPilot Plus on my SeaCat 21' center console with hydraulic steering and dual 90 hp Hondas for this past season. Works GREAT. No problems at all. I use it when trolling and on cruise.

This spring's project is to connect the NMEA output from my GPS.

One of the reasons I originally went with the SportPilot was its ease of installation and, consequently ease of removal if necessary for repair.

One thing that you should consider is that the SportPilot will push the steering wheel out a couple of inches toward the helm seat. Not a problem for my boat, but it could cause problems on some installations.

Ryan

[Sparky]

I have been looking at catamaran boats as a replacement for my 21' Smokercraft. How do you like it for walleye fishing? I love the ride but, I've been concerned about working around the two outboards when fighting and boating fish. Do you have any insights for me from your experiance? Thank you.

Sparky

[Bo]

Sticky fingers, this post is going to be the first one of its kind. TR-1 is coming out with an autopilot for large outboards and I/O's with hydraulic steering. It should be out sometime in February. Drop me an e-mail with your address and I'll see that you get literature about the new TR-1 as soon as it's available.

[Bob K]

Buy a below decks autopilot, the sportpilots are junk. Most guys go with a sportpilot because they don`t have hydraulic steering. If you have hydraulic steering buy a ST 5000, Cetrek 715, Simrad A12 or a B&G. Most of my friends who tried the sportpilots upgraded to below decks pilots because of the motor failures in the sportpilots. The boat actually steers harder with the sportpilot when the pilot is not engaged, this is due to an internal clutch inside of the sportpilot which causes additional drag. Email me if you need more info.
Capt Bob K

[SeaCat]

Sparky,

I spend most of my time fishing on Lk Michigan for salmon and steelhead, but also Lk Erie for Walleye. My SeaCat is a 21' and relatively "big" -- 8 1/2' beam, 2 1/2' freeboard, 4000#. SportCraft/SportCat now owns the molds for the hull and produces the exact model as the 21 SportCat.

No problems with landing fish at all. They either come up the chute between the motors or off one of the rear quarters. Since it is a center console, I have gone forward of the console on a couple fish and landed them on the side. The 360 degree fishability is great and is one of the main reasons I wanted the CC configuration over a traditional single/dual console "walleye" boat. I would also suggest a T-top as an essential option on any center console.

Angler makes a 19' cat that uses a single engine but after riding in it I was not impressed compared to the SeaCat -- and there really was no good way to mount a kicker for trolling. Glacier Bay also makes a 22'er, but it is a displacement hull and I did not like it as well as the SeaCat's planing hull. ProKat is a less known brand (planing hull too) and seems to be a good boat. It is heavier than the Sea/SportCat and I wanted to keep my rig under 4500# total weight for trailering.

Grady White and Aquasport have brought out cat hulls in this size range in the last year. Too late for me and pretty expensive.

Email me with any questions. I'll try to answer!

gilbertr@pilot.msu.edu

Ryan