Jump to content

new auto pilot!!!!


vernman

Recommended Posts

i am in the process of puchasing a 26 seaswirl boat!!! i want to put a newer fish finder and auto pilot!!! my fish finder on my old boat was a lowrance fish findergps, and i never had auto pilot before, i was hoping to get some advice before i start rigging the boat!! any suggestions would be appreciated!

thanks verman

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I can proabably help you on that, I also have a 26 swirl WA. I just yesterday put the auto pilot in. My boat has the penta I/O and cable steering and I chose the Simrad AP14 autopilot. Intalling wasn't bad, but you may have to relocate your fuse panel to acoomdate teh steering unit. My mechanic did it in 5 hours. Let me know if you have any other questions. It a nice boat, you will like it! For a gps unit I am running the lowrance global map 7500.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I second the Simrad AP14 I installed one in my 24' Thompson last year, worked flawlessly and was pretty easty to install. The biggest PITA was replacing the steering cable. (Mine was a rack and pinion and the Simrad replaces a rotary steering helm, so I had to replace the R&P cable with a rotary one). I haven't heard of anyone that has a bad thing to say about the Simrad.

Tim

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Jax here

I am in the market for an auto pilot also, I had a post up on the old LOU board. I have a 21 ft Lund that I just had to replace the steering cable with the a newer R+P teleflex system. Would the AP 14 work for my application? Im going to give simrad a call tommarrow. I would hate to have to replace the brand new system I just put in, for the autopilot. $400 down the drain...? :(

Any feed back would be appreciated

Not tryin to steal the spotlight vernman just thought I mite be able to get some help as well ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sorry Jax, the Simrad replaces a rotary helm. A Rack and Pinion needs to be replaced with a new steering cable.

Glen, the AP12 and 14 are the same mechanically, I believe the big difference is that the AP 14 has a digital display showing the compass heading it is locked onto. I thought it was worth the couple hundered extra bucks.

Tim

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks Tim. My dash area is getting low on space. It looks like the ap12 has a smaller control so thats why I'm probably going to go that way. Is the control unit on the 14 stationary? In the only pictures I have found it shows a cable coming out the bottom and the 12 doesn't seem to have one.

Thanks for your help.

Glen

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Glen, I installed the AP14 two seasons ago, great unit. Like Tim, I needed to replace the steering cable (I have an older trophy). Just a pain, not really that difficult. Got it from planetgps.net approx $1200. Recommended and the extra 200 bucks for the remote (the difference between the AP12/AP14) was worth it to me... and not just because it gives you the heading in a digital readout... the coiled cord allows you to mount the remote a few feet away on a crowded dash.

Alan

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks Alan,

Hope you two are wintering well. I have Hydralic steering so I won't have to do the cable thing but the units are more money. I have to call Simrad and get some specifics regarding the dimensions of the control units and make up my mind. Way it looks right now I will go with the AP12 and try to fit it on the dash if possible but if I can't your mounting advice with the cord will be the way to go. Prices at planetgps are the lowest I've seen so far.

Thanks for your input.

Glen

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
×
×
  • Create New...