pjumper

How well did it hold track?  How slow where you going, and how big of waves?  Im looking at using a Sportpilot on my IO this year, but I need it to hold course when trolling at walleye speeds....like 1.5mph in 3ft waves

Ok didn't do much first time out, busy trying to find fish. out today in 2ft waves,10 mph wind,  not too impressed, at a slow troll I was all over the place. couldn't hold track. At cruising speed it was working hard but without any error codes, it kept up. Wife said she could tell when I turned on the pilot. ( spray coming into cockpit ) To be fair, I haven't tested it enough yet. but so far not great. My boat is a 2359 trophy. this is a hardtop pilothouse, its high and heavy, engine is 5.7 merc with alpha 1 gen 2 outdrive. will get out Friday and try to spend a bit more time testing. We are running and gunning right now so nobody wants to check out my new autopilot. will be on a buddies boat tomorrow but Friday I will go solo and test this pilot better. will post back.

Pumper How long did the calibration process take

Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United

Within 5 minutes it was holding a good track. I did do the large circle it said to speed things up

Sea test was yesterday. system worked as it should. pretty basic set up. once you input asked info it does everything else on its own. I found there is a lot of paper work relating to each component that repeats the instructions. There is one double page with numbered steps that take you though everything you need to start up. One problem I had was installing the wheel drive set my steering wheel out at least an inch, my controls now hit the steering knob I have on my wheel. will need to remove this. too bad.

Wynfisherman. for cable steered boats all you will need to add is power cables, fuse or circuit breaker & ground wire. don't know about hydraulic requirements.

Hi Nickr, I have a 2000 alpha 1 gen 2 so its a bit different. I replaced all the rubber last spring. There is a lot of procedures you have to follow. I would recommend you get  a good shop manual for your exact unit. follow it step by step. there are a few specialized tools you will need as well.

my alpha 1 gen 2 outdrive maintenance schedule calls for inspection every  year in salt water use. it has a sealed u joints so no grease can be added. It has grease nipples on coupling and gimbal bearings that get greased every few months. had it off for first bellows replacement around 600 hrs, 13 years old, all looked good, no play at all.

Wouldn't it still make sense to add it so the autopilot knows how far is turning the outdrive?

its a better reference, but there is no place to attach properly to I/O. it is designed for a rudder steered boat

It's like right in front of manual Guy at raymarine said if I had 2 batt I'll be fine. He said this thing draws crazy power

ya I found it in general information. I would think when you start your engine, your starter will draw all the power reducing the power to the ACU. once your engine is running you will be fine. Normally you wouldn't start your pilot till your engine is running. The fishfinder and UHF radio are the only things running on my boat while the engine is off  Having said that I think 2 batteries is the way to go.

So I got mine in the mail today.  Are you supposed to hook up the rudder reference to the ram on the steering rack somehow?

Ray tech told me that rudder reference is for inboard engines that are steered with a rudder. that along with the 7ft. red & black cable is not required on an inboard - outdrive

This thing says it I can't be hooked up to batt that starts engine. It I have 1 bat do I have to get another ?

never saw that. I believe as long as you have a fused 12 volt source you will be fine

ok spoke to a Ray Marine tech.  red & black cable not required. rudder reference not required. best to hook up Lowrance GPS with NME2000 cable part number A06045. Great.

older ray chart has a port on the back marked pwr/nmea so it might be compatible.  

lowrance is NMEA 2000

Not sure, im gonna call raymarine today. have you started your install.

Hi Guys, Im not at the stage of installing the motor yet, so, Im  sorry I cant help out. Im just laying everything out and trying to understand it. not sure about a red and black cable about 7ft. long. I don't see a place for it. Also would it be best to hook up to my raymarine rc435 chart plotter that is 9 years old or my lowrance hds7. I normally only use the lowrance as a fish/depth finder, and navigate with the raychart. any thought or tips greatly appreciated.thx

Update - just got an email from anchor express. ev 200 should be delivered tomorrow, April 04.

I ordered 1 from anchor express today. I was told they would have them in their warehouse  on the 9th. My boat is in Florida right now so I wont see it till 3 days later.

ur welcome magic7777. Ive been going to Port Charlotte for a long time. Will be there in April & May, the fishing gets real good there in the spring. Venice is real nice, We visit there a lot by car and boat through the inter coastal.  

Port Charlotte is a bit south of Venice, but might be worth a trip. Try www.fishinfranks.com lots of great info for the area

Im after one as well, I think - Anchor express marine or boatersland had the best prices - about 1800