Using the Ipilot instead of a real anchor (I would still keep the real anchor)

[shingo]

I was wondering if the ipilot is good enough to replace an anchor for fishing? My plan is to keep my anchor for emergency but use the ipilot as an anchor when fishing.

I fish alone and the boat is pretty light so it moves around a lot, the thing I hate the most about fishing is trying to stay in place, even with the anchor the boat moves around a lot especialy when the wind is constanly chaning direction.

I fish on river and lake where it's 5 foot deep to 20.

So do you think it's realistic to think that I could use the ipilot as an anchoring device? I like to change spot often, so I would save a lot of time compare to my current anchor.

I currently do not have a bow mount electric motor, just a transom electric motor.

 

[pikefisherman]

Re: Using the Ipilot instead of a real anchor (I would still keep the real anchor)

You will find that the trolling motor will keep you in the general area but your boat will drift a little and then the motor will start and bring you back, its a cool feature but I would keep the anchor.

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Using the Ipilot instead of a real anchor (I would still keep the real anchor)

two anchors will keep the boat steady, bow and stern to stop swinging. Ipilot might keep you within 20-30 feet, mine does but I swing around a lot.

 

[dan02gt]

Re: Using the Ipilot instead of a real anchor (I would still keep the real anchor)

Have you considered a shallow water anchoring system like Power Poles?

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Using the Ipilot instead of a real anchor (I would still keep the real anchor)

The ipilot virtual anchor is GREAT
You will still swing around when the wind changes
Generally the trolling motor stays within about 5 feet or so but if you have a 16' boat the other end is moving nearly 40 feet when the wind reverses.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Using the Ipilot instead of a real anchor (I would still keep the real anchor)

I think that's what they're made for--an electronic anchoring device but not a substitute for the real thing when needed.

I see the anchor as the most important safety device on a small boat

 

[bobdec]

Re: Using the Ipilot instead of a real anchor (I would still keep the real anchor)

With your motor on the transom it would make it more complicated. I thought Ipilot just aims the motor at GPS coordinates and pulls the bow back there. In that case Ipilot would pull you back to coordinates transom first. That's unless it's as smart as an autopilot and can aim the bow and navigate from the transom. In any case previous posts still hold, not a cure for dragging/drifting over lines.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Using the Ipilot instead of a real anchor (I would still keep the real anchor)

I think he meant he didn't have it on the bow YET but the Ipilot would be... Ipilot wouldn't work on a transom mount at all unless you only wanted to go backwards

 

[MAC ATTACK]

Re: Using the Ipilot instead of a real anchor (I would still keep the real anchor)

I have the ipilot and use the anchor feature a lot. The only time I use the real anchor when I find a spot that is very productive and I need to be more stationary. I fish for crappie a lot and will have several lines out. When it is windy the ipilot anchor moves quite a bit.

I love the ipilot for trolling and searching for a spot. Hit the anchor button, drop some lines and wait. If nothing hits I move slowly without pulling lines, anchor lock again and wait. When I have put several in the boat I will drop the real anchor.

I would never leave the dock without a real anchor on board.

If you purchase an ipilot, bow mount it.