Jump to content

auto pilot


Recommended Posts

I have an Islander and I would like to add auto pilot to it. I do not have hydraulic steering on it. Would it be worth getting hydraulic steering?? I don't know anything about auto pilot. Any help should help . Thanks

Link to comment
Share on other sites

i just got a raymarine smartpilot 5xr it works with cable systems as long as you steering colum shaft has a 3/4 or 1 inch dia. it seems to work very well and is pretty easy to install.It is a little noisy but i can live with that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have the same one as Jim. I went through a couple of them while they worked out the bugs but the one I have now seems to be working good. I love having an AP and wouldn't fish without one again. It was an easy install.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It is definately worth the money to go to hydraulic if you have it, all together a complete conversion with autopilot is close to $5000. But you will have a system that can hold you on coarse in just about any weather and generally problems free.

Sportpilots i do not generally recommend, they work better on some boat then others but they have been making that style of unit for years and they claim to now have all the bugs worked out but i have heard that many times.

Somewhere in between is an octopus drive setup, much better performance and reliability then a sportpilot and still keeping your cable steering so saves you some money. Just take an octopus drive and pair it with a Garmin GHP-12 or Raymarine X-10 and this is closer to the $2700 ballpark range.

PS Sportpilots will definately sync with a Garmin GPS.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • GLF_appStore.jpgGLF_googlePlay.jpg


    Recent Topics

    Hot Topics


    Upcoming Events

    No upcoming events found
×
×
  • Create New...