I have a 1986, 25', Searay Sundancer and would like to add an autopilot. I
checked into the Raymarine Sport Pilot Plus, but it requires a standard
tapered shaft on the steering column. My steering doesn't have a tapered
shaft and is not adaptable to the Sports Pilot Plus. I would have to change
the steering mechanism and cable to get a unit with a tapered shaft, which
would be very expensive.

Has anyone adapted any other units to work with this vintage Searay product?
I have seen some wheel pilots that mount right to the steering wheel that
are designed for sail boats but am not sure if they would work on a power
boat.

"Joseph Friess" wrote in message
...
I have a 1986, 25', Searay Sundancer and would like to add an autopilot. I
checked into the Raymarine Sport Pilot Plus, but it requires a standard
tapered shaft on the steering column. My steering doesn't have a tapered
shaft and is not adaptable to the Sports Pilot Plus. I would have to
change
the steering mechanism and cable to get a unit with a tapered shaft, which
would be very expensive.

Has anyone adapted any other units to work with this vintage Searay
product?
I have seen some wheel pilots that mount right to the steering wheel that
are designed for sail boats but am not sure if they would work on a power
boat.

Does your boat have hydraulic steering? I f yes then there are many APs
that will work without needing modification to your basic steering
mechanism. Although they are more expensive then the Sportpilot or
Sportpilot Plus they offer significant advantages in terms of use. Raytheon
makes a variety of models.

Have you considered the Simrad AP12R and AP14R, this could be a very good
solution

Regards

"Fred Miller" a écrit dans le message de
...

"Joseph Friess" wrote in message
...
I have a 1986, 25', Searay Sundancer and would like to add an autopilot.
I
checked into the Raymarine Sport Pilot Plus, but it requires a standard
tapered shaft on the steering column. My steering doesn't have a tapered
shaft and is not adaptable to the Sports Pilot Plus. I would have to
change
the steering mechanism and cable to get a unit with a tapered shaft,
which
would be very expensive.

Has anyone adapted any other units to work with this vintage Searay
product?
I have seen some wheel pilots that mount right to the steering wheel
that
are designed for sail boats but am not sure if they would work on a
power
boat.

Does your boat have hydraulic steering? I f yes then there are many APs
that will work without needing modification to your basic steering
mechanism. Although they are more expensive then the Sportpilot or
Sportpilot Plus they offer significant advantages in terms of use.
Raytheon
makes a variety of models.