Autopilot Suggestions

[pennel]

Wife has decided that to cut down on heated discussions when she is steering the boat she wants an autopilot installed ( she’s paying or so she says).


So with that in mind I am looking for a decent,reliable one that’s capable of steering kicker and main engine.
Our electronics are all Garmin and the boat is a 26’ NWAC.
It’s early days but with the boat show coming up maybe there’s a chance of getting a deal.
Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[pescador]

Thread 'Garmin Reactor 40 Kicker Autopilot. BNIB'
https://sportfishingbc.com/threads/garmin-reactor-40-kicker-autopilot-bnib.97460/

 

[Ziggy 2]

Wife has decided that to cut down on heated discussions when she is steering the boat she wants an autopilot installed ( she’s paying or so she says).


So with that in mind I am looking for a decent,reliable one that’s capable of steering kicker and main engine.
Our electronics are all Garmin and the boat is a 26’ NWAC.
It’s early days but with the boat show coming up maybe there’s a chance of getting a deal.
Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks

I have a Garmin Reactor 40 with GHC50 that's only been used a few times as repowered and went with the Yamaha autopilot set up. If you are interested PM me.

 

[Ernie Holt]

Furuno Navnet 300 autopilot has been very reliable.

 

[Rayc]

I use the Garmin autopilot and love it, makes steering the boat so much easier when fishing, especially when fishing with other people who not boat operators

 

[BC Coast Pilot]

Reactor, integrated with your garmin chartplotter

 

[pennel]

Reactor, integrated with your garmin chartplotter

Reactor, integrated with your garmin chartplotter

Are you and Rayc connecting your Reactor directly to your chartplotter ( mine is a 1243 xsv) or do you have a separate autopilot instrument like a GHC50?

 

[BC Coast Pilot]

I have a seperate dash control and a remote. The remote is a game changer. You can run the pilot display on the plotter BUT do you lose another screen? I keep all screens with a seperate information setup so they don't get cluttered. If you have the room, get the screen/control......and the remote. That being said it is all integrated via nmea 2000 so if the pilot display fails, it can be run from the plotter as a backup.

 

[Rayc]

Are you and Rayc connecting your Reactor directly to your chartplotter ( mine is a 1243 xsv) or do you have a separate autopilot instrument like a GHC50?

Yes, it is connected directly to my chartplotter, all my equipment is Garmin, I also have the GHC20 installed, which I don't really need because all the setups can be done through the chartplotter (1020xs and 942xs)

 

[Rayc]

Reactor, integrated with your garmin chartplotter

Yes, it is

 

[ship happens]

Furuno navpilot 300 with the scx20 Sat compass. Really no comparison between other APs. It's a game changer. Especially when a rudder feedback sensor is impossible. The Bluetooth remote is unreal and well made.

 

[wdlfbio]

Your wife is smart.

 

[pennel]

I know ,because she knows that regardless of what she said I’ll be the one that ends up paying for it.

 

[cpony]

Furuno navpilot 300 with the scx20 Sat compass. Really no comparison between other APs. It's a game changer. Especially when a rudder feedback sensor is impossible. The Bluetooth remote is unreal and well made.

View attachment 114199

Just installed this yesterday to replace my current Lowrance autopilot. Simple installation, all just plug and play. Even used the original pump.
Will report after my next outing. The Sabiki mode will be great for jigging.

 

[BC Coast Pilot]

Yes, it is

Yes, it is

Recommendation, not a question.

 

[Hot-Streak]

Autopilots are awesome! If I ever bought another boat it would be one of the first things I install.

I have the Outboard pilot (cable steer package NOT the hydraulic package) its by navo/lowrance and ties right into my HDS but will work with FS. The steering mod replaces the steering collar on your wheel.

I can control it at the chart plotter or with a remote fob attached to my lifejacket. When fighting a fish I can turn the boat as needed with a touch of a button on the fob.

Mine steers my main all the time. when trolling on my kicker I use a steering tie bar and run the kicker. When trolling I can plot routes on my chart and it follows, it accounts for drift/current etc.

When running to the fishing spot I also let it drive there and can take over to avoid logs etc. Just set a spot on the chart and engage the autopilot

 

[pennel]

First of all,thanks for the input from all of you.
I've pulled the trigger and gone for the Garmin 40 with the smartpump and ghc50.
Given at the boat show a 20% discount -can't complain.
Now the hard part,trying to see if my wife lives up to her promise to pay for it-not holding my breath.

 

[SpringVelocity]

Yeah never have a boat without one. Good choice.

 

[pescador]

First of all,thanks for the input from all of you.
I've pulled the trigger and gone for the Garmin 40 with the smartpump and ghc50.
Given at the boat show a 20% discount -can't complain.
Now the hard part,trying to see if my wife lives up to her promise to pay for it-not holding my breath.

Great choice. Would like to hear a follow up on the install and how it works with your chart plotter.