Auto pilot 22 islander

[buster107]

I have manual steering on her!! I know hydrolic steering I have a lot more options . I have a smartpolit on it and it is worthless!! On flat calm days its all over the place. Should I get hydrolic steering on her or what should I do ?? steering on her??

[SeaCatMich]

The SmartPilot should work just fine, they are good units... or did you mean SportPilot? But even SportPilots will work well if setup/tuned correctly.

What have you tried to get the current AP to work?

[1mainiac]

mine works wish the motor ran. I plan on fishing Muskegon this weekend maybe we can get together and see what is up with it.

[ChampionShip]

Hydraulic steering is great, but I've seen some pretty darn good sport pilots when they're swung and adjusted properly.

[buster107]

Thanks Jim if I go out I will go out of Muskegon and maybe we can hook up!! If you need a ride let me know!! Yes it is a sport pilot not smartpilot!! I'm not to smart either!!!

[EdB]

Sportpilots have a good reputation for breaking down. When mine took a dump, it went from going straight to a severe s pattern. It worked good when it worked but I know a lot of people who had them and all eventually died. That is why Raymarine discontinued them.

[DIRTY DOG]

I have the revamped sport pilot and love it, I had a issue with the drive unit but it was more operator aror than unit malfunction , it's on a 89 221 islander.

[EdB]

I have a couple friends with the new Raymarine unit and they like it too.

[SeaCatMich]

Okay, since it is the SportPilot

• Do you have a rudder reference transducer connected? It is not required since you don't have hydraulic steering, but I have found on the 3 boats I installed SportPilots on that even on mechanical steering systems it makes a big difference. Especially when trolling. You can find them quite often on eBay. It plugs into the rear of the SP helm unit.
  
• Have you verified that the location of the Fluxgate compass is magnetically neutral? Could you have installed something new or put a piece of metal near it recently that might be affecting its readings? Even a screw driver is enough to do it. Using a regular magnetic compass you can put it near the Fluxgate and see if it is giving bad readings. If it is, then determine if there is a metal source nearby that is causing the problem and can be moved. You might need to move the Fluxgate.
  
• The Fluxgate needs to be mounted mid ship (both left/right & front/back) and near water level within the boat. It also should be mounted so the rounded dome is facing the bow of the boat. I have seen them mounted with the dome pointing up and to the left or right -- causes lots of problems.
  
• I would also do a linearisation of the AP. You will need somewhat calm seas and an area big enough to do 2 minute circles with the boat. This will program the AP in relation to how your boat operates and the magnetic properties of the Fluxgate. I had to do this at least every couple years when I had the SP+.
  

Here is a link to a scanned copy of the manual for the SportPilot: https://flir.app.box.com/s/nwf2s5ha9xrltggghogu/1/720705051/3273039721/1

Instruction on doing the calibration/linearisation procedure starts on page 19 of the PDF.

[stcroixx09]

interesting i just bought a 24ft 1975 regal am interested in installing auto pilot. no idea what steering it has. was wondering ballpark cost for decent one or what it would cost to switch to hydraulic steering then autopilot.

[Salmon Assassin]

I have the Raymarine unit and love it, going on 3 years with no issues and I fish 3 times a week. My advice is to have a professional install it and buy the extended warranty. With the warranty through west marine if there ever is a problem someone comes to my boat to fix it.

My unit was $1600, and $500 to install