Auto Pilot

[mjbj32]

I have a 2004 Sylvan offshore 2300. I am wondering if I could get some opinions on what is the best auto pilot for this boat?

 

[dingbat]

I have a 2004 Sylvan offshore 2300. I am wondering if I could get some opinions on what is the best auto pilot for this boat?

I/O or outboard?
What do you want to do with it? Trolling, patterns, etc.
Big water?
What is your budget?

 

[mjbj32]

I/O or outboard?
What do you want to do with it? Trolling, patterns, etc.
Big water?
What is your budget?

Not too worried about budget. Just want the best one for my money. I want to troll with the auto pilot. I fish inland and big lakes. It is an I/O.

 

[dingbat]

Not too worried about budget. Just want the best one for my money. I want to troll with the auto pilot. I fish inland and big lakes. It is an I/O.

Cable or hydraulic steering?

They make cable units but typically do not provide the performance needed for trolling. Would need to switch over the hydraulic steering to get decent trolling performance.

What chartplotter are you using?

Simrad, Raymarine and Garmin all have AP that integrated with your chartplotter.

Personally a fan of the Garmin Reactor 40 series. You need the higher end, SmartPump V2 for good, slow troll performance.

 

[mjbj32]

Cable or hydraulic steering?

They make cable units but typically do not provide the performance needed for trolling. Would need to switch over the hydraulic steering to get decent trolling performance.

What chartplotter are you using?

Simrad, Raymarine and Garmin all have AP that integrated with your chartplotter.

Personally a fan of the Garmin Reactor 40 series. You need the higher end, SmartPump V2 for good, slow troll performance.

I have a Humminbird Solix 15 and a Helix 7. I don't know if that will network with either one of those or if I have to buy the separate unit for chartplotting. Sorry not very knowledgeable on this subject.

 

[mjbj32]

I have a Humminbird Solix 15 and a Helix 7. I don't know if that will network with either one of those or if I have to buy the separate unit for chartplotting. Sorry not very knowledgeable on this subject.

What about the Humminbird SC110 autopilot? It would hook right up to my current equipment. Are they no good?

 

[dingbat]

What about the Humminbird SC110 autopilot? It would hook right up to my current equipment. Are they no good?

You don't need a chart plotter. AP are designed to be standalone units.

The use of the plotter saves you a (interface) Display and possibility additional navigation functionality.

Have never heard of it up until now.... Seems pretty gimmicky. Don't give any performance specifications ie. Pumps performance, update rates, etc.
but have no experience with the unit to say one way or the other.

The issue with trolling is the systems ability to capture an accurate position heading, calculate and make course corrections while the boat is being bounced/pushed around by wind, waves and tide/current. You need quality position feedback, aggressive course correction algorithms and the pump capacity to respond to the every changing demand.

Not a big issue on a flat calm days, but it doesn't take much "weather" to cause havoc trying to stay on course at trolling speeds.

 

[mjbj32]

You don't need a chart plotter. AP are designed to be standalone units.

The use of the plotter saves you a (interface) Display and possibility additional navigation functionality.

Have never heard of it up until now.... Seems pretty gimmicky. Don't give any performance specifications ie. Pumps performance, update rates, etc.
but have no experience with the unit to say one way or the other.

The issue with trolling is the systems ability to capture an accurate position heading, calculate and make course corrections while the boat is being bounced/pushed around by wind, waves and tide/current. You need quality position feedback, aggressive course correction algorithms and the pump capacity to respond to the every changing demand.

Not a big issue on a flat calm days, but it doesn't take much "weather" to cause havoc trying to stay on course at trolling speeds.

Well I sure appreciate all your input. I guess I will have to decide if I want to shell out that much money. Thank you for all your help.