My old Navico died a couple years ago and since my helmsman has gone off to the war I'm looking for recomendations for a basic steers the boat straight autopilot.dont care about doing figure 8's I'm running the std hynaut steering.
Any thoughts on the size of the pump? I ve had 4 pilots on the boat over the years and have always used the smaller pumps without a problem.
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Thread: Auto pilot recomendations
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Auto pilot recomendations
"DON'T BELIEVE ANYTHING YOU READ OR HEAR AND ONLY HALF OF WHAT YOU SEE" - BEN FRANKLIN
Endless Summer
1967 50c 12/71n DDA 525hp
ex Miss Betsy
owners:
Howard P. Miller 1967-1974
Richard F Hull 1974-1976
Robert J. & R.Scott Smith 1976-present
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Re: Auto pilot recomendations
Simrad.
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Re: Auto pilot recomendations
Simrad
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Re: Auto pilot recomendations
a particular model?
"DON'T BELIEVE ANYTHING YOU READ OR HEAR AND ONLY HALF OF WHAT YOU SEE" - BEN FRANKLIN
Endless Summer
1967 50c 12/71n DDA 525hp
ex Miss Betsy
owners:
Howard P. Miller 1967-1974
Richard F Hull 1974-1976
Robert J. & R.Scott Smith 1976-present
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06-11-2010 05:03 PM #5Senior Member
- Join Date
- Apr 2005
- Posts
- 3,524
Re: Auto pilot recomendations
I installed the AP28 Simrad unit 2 years ago and have been completely happy with it. When I first got it, the first unit I had was faulty, but was replaced by Simrad no questions asked in a matter of days. And, their customer service in general has been excellent. Quite easy to install if you have basic skills.
Everyone should believe in something - I believe I will go fishing - Henry David Thoreau
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Re: Auto pilot recomendations
Simrads are the industry standard. That said, there are two others you might look at:
Garmin bought the TR-1 Gladiator a couple of years ago; it originally came out from a new company called Nautamatic, which Garmin bought. It is supposed to be a terrific autopilot, with very advanced software and some things that no one else has, which is why Garmin bought the company that made it.
Comnav Autopilots are usually fitted to cruising trawlers such as Nordhavns- they are supposed to be very high quality and reliable. A lot of commercial vessels use them. But they also use Robertsons, which are the same as Simrads, I think.
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Re: Auto pilot recomendations
+1 for Simrad
we have an AP20 on the 70 footer i run (2003), nice unit. had a problem last fall with the main control box, took it out and had it repaired.. easy. power board was fried.
the pump is in the ER, pretty compact and teed into the Hynautic lines.Pascal
Miami, FL
1970 53 MY #325 Cummins 6CTAs
2014 26' gaff rigged sloop
2007 Sandbarhopper 13
12' Westphal Cat boat
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06-12-2010 11:11 PM #8
Re: Auto pilot recomendations
Simrad is a good product but they have recently been bought out by Navico. I believe that they moved operations from the PNW to New England and I'm not sure how many Simrad folks made the move. Navico support not very good, IMHO.
Garmin products are good as well as their support.
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Re: Auto pilot recomendations
how about pump units for these pilots?my steering cylinder is borderline in ci in the navico i had was there cheapest unit for boats under 35ft and worked great for 10years. the pilot i had before was a benmar course setter 210 the electronics guy that sold it to me talked me into the larger pump unit not long after it was installed the cylinder seals started to leak i know the hynautic system has a relief valve but i think the bigger pump just kept hammering everything.The only downside i can see to the smaller pump is in following seas when you have to do a lot of wheel cranking to keep the boat pointed in the right direction. I just need somthing to keep the boat straight for putting out lines and clearing lines after a hook up.
"DON'T BELIEVE ANYTHING YOU READ OR HEAR AND ONLY HALF OF WHAT YOU SEE" - BEN FRANKLIN
Endless Summer
1967 50c 12/71n DDA 525hp
ex Miss Betsy
owners:
Howard P. Miller 1967-1974
Richard F Hull 1974-1976
Robert J. & R.Scott Smith 1976-present
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06-14-2010 09:28 AM #10Senior Member
- Join Date
- Apr 2005
- Posts
- 4,168
Re: Auto pilot recomendations
"...The only downside i can see to the smaller pump is in following seas when you have to do a lot of wheel cranking to keep the boat pointed in the right direction..."
A smaller pump will take longer to pump the required steering fluid and so take longer to turn the boat....as you say, it will be less responsive...in theory a properly sized pump and motor should work less, meaning provide faster turning and less run time, less wear and tear....
you need the right combination of pump and motor for best resultsRob Brueckner
former 1972 48ft YF, 'Lazy Days'
Boating isn't a matter of life and death: it's more important than that.