Autopilot reviews

[usmcpaul]

Hey guys, I did not want to hi-jack someone elses thread so I decided to post a different one.

As you all probably know this is my first boat in a long while and I have found steering it to be some what challenging. Even when the wind is light, that thing tends to have a mind of its own and not having power steering makes it even tougher.

I have been slowy working through it, but my crews tend to know even less than I do about boating/fishing than I do, so I usually have to set lines, untangle things, re-tie leaders..... and that leaves my crew steering the boat which could be consider "very comical" in some cultures.

Although I do have the cash for an auto pilot right know, I am seriously considering for next season. So here are a few questions I figure the "pros" will be best suited to answer.

One problem I have is over compensating and thus having to constantly go left or right, so will an autopilot hold a pretty steady heading so I can set lines/net fish or does it just get you to point A by any means necessary?

Are there models that I can use with an I/O, non-power steering?

Do I have to have a NMEA GPS unit for the AP to "talk to"?

Finally, any reviews of your system, good or bad, would be very much appreciated.

Thanks, Paul

[1mainiac]

Nearly all AP will hold a good course they are smart enough to learn your boat and adapt to current condidtions. You only need a NMEA GPS if you want to use it to plot a course or provide waypoints all AP's hava a compass as part of the system. If it is cable steered your I/O should be able to be setup with a A/P depending on how much steering effort it takes to turn the wheel. If you have Hyd steering even better if you have a older Mercruiser no power steering and want to switch it to hyd steering send me a PM I have a steering cyl I don't need. Personally I have held off on a AP for 3 years with the hopes of getting a hyd system on my boat.

[usmcpaul]

Jim my system is cable controlled, however it does take a fair amount of effort to turn the wheel. I am not sure if thats just the way it is, or the cables are worn/rusted.

Do you know if the AP is hooked up to the cables up front or does it hook up at the end in the engine compartment?

I suppose either way having hydraulic steering would be a plus.

Do you know what it takes to add hyd steering? It sounds like I would need a pump that runs off the engine (i.e power steering pump), and a cylinder to acutate the outdrive. There has to be more to it than that?

Does anyone have any good links to follow an actual install?

[Paulywood]

For the cable steered AP's they hook up at the helm. If you want to check your cables you can unhook them at the outdrive and then try turning the wheel.