auto pilot options

[stcroixx09]

1975 24 ft regal boat. i know little about boats. want auto pilot but the more i look n talk to people the more confused i get. any help will be appreciated. what are my option n what is the cost (ball park).

[N II Deep]

by the age and size of your boat you more than likely have cable steering.

next question do you have power assist?

How to answer - does your motor have a power steering pump?

if you have both then for your size boat I would look at the Raymarine Sport pack.

I paid $1400 + tax here at a local West Marine store.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=1015382&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=11151&storeNum=50157&subdeptNum=50193&classNum=50194#.Ujhe5cZJOVE

I just installed this unit on my 1987 Fourwinns and it works great.

Took about 3 hours to fully install.

[stcroixx09]

just tore boat apart so can finally see, unfortunately no power assist straight cable to linkage no power steering. what is the ev-200 linear by ray marine says its for sailboats up to 24000 lbs with mechanical steering but will it work on my regal? list price is $3300

[1mainiac]

What drive do you have? If you have a older Mercruiser without power steering I have a hyd steering system for it. Then you could get the Garmin or any hyd AP you want and have a great setup.

[stcroixx09]

its a mercruiser assuming original(1975) says mercruiser888

[prop nut]

you will need to upgrade to a hyd helm with a slave steering cylinder in back

and because you have not power assist you will need a 2.1L or larger auto pilot pump to steer the boat while up on plane

you can get by with a smaller pump for trolling but if you want to use it running out to a spot a smaller pump will work but die a early death

with a hyd. steering up grade your options to good auto pilots greatly increases

all auto pilots have limitations what they can or can not do hyd units greatly improve trolling speed limitations