Am I nuts? I woke up this morning and decided that I would investigate
getting an auto-pilot for my 1993 25ft Four Winns whoich has a I/O and
weights maybe 6000-7000lbs. I am based in Boston and do day trips in
NE, but I have gone as far as Montreal, Lake Champlain, Erie Canal,
NYC etc from Boston. I do most of my boating with my girlfriend who
is capible of steering, but lets me dock. I do spend a lot of time in
the boat myself as I work for a college and have a very light schedule
during the summer.
Could anyone tell me about auto-pilots? Also, I have a Garmin 125
GPS/Sounder. Is it possible to use that with the auto-pilot? How hard
is it to hook up? Can I take this from this boat to another when I
upgrade, if the upgrade is somewhat similar, but bigger?

thanks

"Richard Malcolm" wrote in message:

Hmmm, bigger boat ayh? That's what we like to hear.

Take a look at the Raymarine Sportpilot.
G
"Richard Malcolm" wrote in message
om...
Am I nuts? I woke up this morning and decided that I would investigate
getting an auto-pilot for my 1993 25ft Four Winns whoich has a I/O and
weights maybe 6000-7000lbs. I am based in Boston and do day trips in
NE, but I have gone as far as Montreal, Lake Champlain, Erie Canal,
NYC etc from Boston. I do most of my boating with my girlfriend who
is capible of steering, but lets me dock. I do spend a lot of time in
the boat myself as I work for a college and have a very light schedule
during the summer.
Could anyone tell me about auto-pilots? Also, I have a Garmin 125
GPS/Sounder. Is it possible to use that with the auto-pilot? How hard
is it to hook up? Can I take this from this boat to another when I
upgrade, if the upgrade is somewhat similar, but bigger?

thanks

"Richard Malcolm" wrote in message
om...
Am I nuts?

depends on why you want an autopilot

On a trawler or similar boat that chugs along at about 8 knots you can take
a look around, set the autopilot and know you are safe for a few minutes.
Time enough to go get a cup of coffee or use the head.

If you are fishing, and moving along at a dead slow speed, you can set the
autopilot and let it deal with keeping you going in a straight line. An
occasional look forward while you are tending your lines will keep you safe
enough.

I wouldn't recommend leaving the helm if you intend to zip along at 20
knots. The situation can change too fast, and the possibility of hitting an
odd wave or another boat's wake can make relying on the autopilot a bit
risky.

Rod

Subject: Auto Pilot
From: "Gordon"

Take a look at the Raymarine Sportpilot.

I've had very good luck with theses units and it should interface with your
Garmin.
The hook up to your Garmin is easy. Two wires.

Capt. Bill

On Wed, 25 Feb 2004 11:02:24 -0800, "Rod McInnis"
wrote:

The situation can change too fast, and the possibility of hitting an
odd wave or another boat's wake can make relying on the autopilot a bit
risky.
===========================

My sentiments exactly. I rarely take my eyes off the water for more
than a second or two when running my 24 footer at 20+ kts.

Autopilots.....

Had a Navico JA8000 (yeah, overkill) on a 30' Wellcraft twin inboard.
Worked great.

Today, I'd go for a Raymarine S1-G. For less than 2 grand, you get a
rate gyro compass autopilot that knows how to adjust itself. The next
best thing to
you being at the helm.

Try online marine for the right pricing, if you can install it
yourself.

I wouldn't recommend leaving the helm if you intend to zip along at 20
knots. The situation can change too fast, and the possibility of hitting an
odd wave or another boat's wake can make relying on the autopilot a bit
risky.

I agree that in slow safe situations it might be pretty nice but at
fast speeds it would be like the old joke about the guy who had cruise
control on his van and went in the back while cruising down the
highway.
Thanks eveyone. I will continue to think more seriously about it.