Fisher_dude
Crew Member
Just wait till you start playing with the preprogrammed routes. I use zig zag a ton almost exclusively and the fish will always hit on the zig or the zag.
It's only money right??? Remote steering or Auto pilot?
- Thread starter Hot-Streak
- Start date
Fisher_dude
Crew Member
Also, if it hasn’t been mentioned, carry some extra aaa batteries and a small Philips screw driver to change the batteries when they die on you in the middle of the day while fishing.
Hot-Streak
Well-Known Member
I have been trying it out with the remote this week.... I don't know how I could ever go back to the days without it. I was on my boat with my wife, her friend and 3 kids, NONE of them helping me out or paying attention. I was able to run gear, steer the boat, set a route etc while fishing standing at the back. My HDS Carbon also wifi's its display to a tablet at the back. No need to go up to the front of the boat when its crowded with tourist/freeloaders . Its amazing.
I said to my best fishing buddy when he was helping me install it "fool!!! do you realize you are helping me install your replacement?!?!?! hahaha" at the time I THOUGHT I was joking at but now........
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Hot-Streak
Well-Known Member
I guess I was lied to.... money CAN buy happiness 
Maxpri
Well-Known Member
People who say that just aren't buying the right things.I guess I was lied to.... money CAN buy happiness
TheNootkaRose
Active Member
+1 on @Hot-Streak 's setup.
I was in their situation a year ago. Got the exact same setup with main MFD HDS 12"Live up front running a mirrored display through wifi to my phone at the back of the boat, and also with the remote fob aroiund my neck.
Game changer.
Just relaxing when setting gear even in wind and many boats around. It's like I bought a fishing buddy that doesnt talk back, just sits and steers all day. Worth it 100%. If you're thinking about the NAC-1 with remote fob, do it.
I was in their situation a year ago. Got the exact same setup with main MFD HDS 12"Live up front running a mirrored display through wifi to my phone at the back of the boat, and also with the remote fob aroiund my neck.
Game changer.
Just relaxing when setting gear even in wind and many boats around. It's like I bought a fishing buddy that doesnt talk back, just sits and steers all day. Worth it 100%. If you're thinking about the NAC-1 with remote fob, do it.
Installed mine two years ago. Been telling everyone it's a game changer but they all just roll their eyes and buy Islanders. Get your new friend Auto, better money spent than an Islander.
man*of*steel
Member
Raymarine Autopilot is absolutely great. I would go with it before the Lowrance. Probably easier integration of GPS and other features.
Hot-Streak
Well-Known Member
Ok update. So I've been using the autopilot constantly now. Just some facts/info
1) Took a little fidgeting to get the steering settings dialed in/rudder feedback settings. It will be different for each boat
2) I am starting to play with pre-planned routes. I have one that is set as "home from hali fishing" and as the name says once all gear is back on board I come up on plane and engage the route. I purposefully start the first waypoint a bit further towards heading back to port so that no matter where I anchor it will aim to that first waypoint.
3) The autopilot tracks straight so now I am weaving around less when going from point A to B. In theory it makes my boat waste less fuel (and I will eventually recover all the cost of it in gas savings...... in about 10,000 years hahaha)
4) I initially bought it for remote steering during slow trolling for salmon BUT I am really enjoying the ability to let it drive during cursing to the fishing grounds at speed.
5) I've noticed the go on sale at Harbour Chandler from time to time. Last sale the Outboard pilot was only $1000... agree with cpony comment, much better value then buying and Islander reel. Heck I'd happy pick this over a reel any day.
After having it for a few months now and not even using it much for salmon... I can't go back.... I WON'T go back to fishing without it.
1) Took a little fidgeting to get the steering settings dialed in/rudder feedback settings. It will be different for each boat
2) I am starting to play with pre-planned routes. I have one that is set as "home from hali fishing" and as the name says once all gear is back on board I come up on plane and engage the route. I purposefully start the first waypoint a bit further towards heading back to port so that no matter where I anchor it will aim to that first waypoint.
3) The autopilot tracks straight so now I am weaving around less when going from point A to B. In theory it makes my boat waste less fuel (and I will eventually recover all the cost of it in gas savings...... in about 10,000 years hahaha)
4) I initially bought it for remote steering during slow trolling for salmon BUT I am really enjoying the ability to let it drive during cursing to the fishing grounds at speed.
5) I've noticed the go on sale at Harbour Chandler from time to time. Last sale the Outboard pilot was only $1000... agree with cpony comment, much better value then buying and Islander reel. Heck I'd happy pick this over a reel any day.
After having it for a few months now and not even using it much for salmon... I can't go back.... I WON'T go back to fishing without it.
Hot-Streak
Well-Known Member
I use mine at speed more then I thought I would. I still keep an eye on things. The outboard pilot has a big red button you install that turns off the autopilot and lets you take manual control right away. I can also make course changes with the fob. I enjoy the AP at cursing speed heading to the fishing spot.
Then again I also have Full Self Driving (it doesn't actually fully self drive) on my Tesla model 3 and it is pretty handy as well and feels the same. does most of the work on the highway but I'm always ready to take over.
islandboy
Well-Known Member
Rayvon
Well-Known Member
Me too ,it's happened twice for me,both were guides playing fish and not paying attention to what was in front.
SpringVelocity
Crew Member
From not having one would never go back. I used it in situations with boats around it's fine. You can disengage in seconds with the button and remote. Super useful.
Alan Wilson
Member
Have had two Lowrance auto pilots on may last boat and current boat.
Would never have a boat without it.
Great for solo fishing and long passages.
When we get a fish on we put the auto pilot into a slow turn (30 deg per minute) toward the fish.
The fish then comes up on the side of the boat and not at the stern
It is like a crew member that always does what they are told.
Would never have a boat without it.
Great for solo fishing and long passages.
When we get a fish on we put the auto pilot into a slow turn (30 deg per minute) toward the fish.
The fish then comes up on the side of the boat and not at the stern
It is like a crew member that always does what they are told.
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islandboy
Well-Known Member
SpringVelocity
Crew Member
Just following up on this thread. I had some extensive testing using this now. It is great. It actually got me out of pretty gnarly situation yesterday off Barkely.
Was fishing tight between two reefs, and had fish peel line in the swells/surf line with a strong incoming flood. We had a boat on our port and starboard (@searun was one of them) and no room to pull it out of the way. If I had done that manual steering I would cut everyone off in those conditions. Was able to engage autopilot and keep on tack not to push either boats over. Made landing the fish so much easier, and not make it dangerous for anyone else/or us.
The autopilot is great but the remote makes it completely different animal in my opinion. If I am fishing tight with a bunch of boats I generally use the rear helm, but if it's not that busy I use it a lot.
I also like engaging it when we are just getting setup etc. Another feature which is awesome is I can take the cursor drag it to a spot and say go there. It self steers the boat on a tack that is shortest distance and than hit go. This is great for areas on westcoast where you have to travel/move to various spots
Again you can't use it all the time, and have to account for swells/waves/tides etc.
Was fishing tight between two reefs, and had fish peel line in the swells/surf line with a strong incoming flood. We had a boat on our port and starboard (@searun was one of them) and no room to pull it out of the way. If I had done that manual steering I would cut everyone off in those conditions. Was able to engage autopilot and keep on tack not to push either boats over. Made landing the fish so much easier, and not make it dangerous for anyone else/or us.
The autopilot is great but the remote makes it completely different animal in my opinion. If I am fishing tight with a bunch of boats I generally use the rear helm, but if it's not that busy I use it a lot.
I also like engaging it when we are just getting setup etc. Another feature which is awesome is I can take the cursor drag it to a spot and say go there. It self steers the boat on a tack that is shortest distance and than hit go. This is great for areas on westcoast where you have to travel/move to various spots
Again you can't use it all the time, and have to account for swells/waves/tides etc.
Alan Wilson
Member
As of 2022 the NAC2 is compatible with the hds units. I have had one installed on an hds 12 and 9 since the software was upgraded
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