Need Autopilot Selection Assistance

[EDGEWATER]

Looking for an Autopilot for my 23' Parker Pilothouse.

Almost sold on Raymarine S1000 but I hear they stop working at low speed. They are very resonably priced.

I want this for trolling purposes primarily (low speeds). I fish solo most of the time and when conditions are less than perfect boat turns, lines cross.

I have a Garmin 3206 Chartplotter.

Don't want to blow all my bucks on this item - other things on to-do my list.

Thanks -

[Reel Draggin Tackle]

Chip,
I had the S1000 on a Grady Gulf Stream, which is about the same size as the 23 Parker, maybe a little wider and heavier. I had the original software. WHenn the GPS hit 3 kts it quit. HOWEVER I have been told that the new software will allow trolling below 2 KTS. I would contact Ray and ask.
I went through three pumps. This was because I ran the Grady offshore to/from the canyons from OC (60+ miles) and I used the AP running and trolling. When I last replaced the pump and I had decided to sell the boat, I quit using the AP while running and it was flawless. For trolling the bay, it was great! I fished a lot of solo days using the S1000. The remote is awesome. Just make sure it is teathered to you. I lost two overboard and they are about $300ea.
I think in the bay for trolling it is the best AP for the price on the market. However, I would not use it while running except for very flat calm days. With that, I think it will last a very long time. I will caution you that the S1000 worked GREAT running offshore and never showed signes of failure until it failed. I have lots of guys tell me that they have it on their boats and it works great running and trolling. However, unless they put a bigger pump in the kit, it will eventually fail when pushed hard like that. Also, I put 1200 offshore hourson that Grady, so those pumps were worked really hard and Ray replaced every one at no cost.
Hope that helps.

[EDGEWATER]

Ken -

How was the S1000 at 3.0 KTS in wind and waves? I know this unit uses the SOG on my GPS for navigation. When I hit a decent chop it may drop from 3 KTS to 1 KTS for a short while - but then recover after a few seconds. Thats the only thing that give me hesitation on S1000. Will it quit working in that short time at low SOG?

I'm going to call Jim at BOE and check it our with him. I'm sure he sells quite a few.

Thanks for the input.

Tight Lines :thumbup:

[Reel Draggin Tackle]

Chip,
My S1000 was using SOG from a Lowrance LCX110 at the time. The GPS had a position smoothing feature that sent an average speed to the AP. Short burps like that had no effect. I set it for 3.5 kts in the bay. It was faster than I would have liked, but thats the way it was. Since I spend most of my time in the Ocean it was no big deal, although getting consistant rock fish ment I had to drive the boat often. That said, I caught a quite few rock fish at that speed no problem. Everyone who has purchased one recently has told me that the 3 kt limit had been removed.

[EDGEWATER]

Ken -

Talked to Ray marine yesterday. The told me they have "lowered" the minimum operating speed but did not commt to how low it is now. I think its still an issue since the navigation input relies on SOG input from the GPS.

I'm looking at the Garmin GHP 10 - 3x the cost but Garmin indicated you can pretty much go as slow as you want and the thing will keep functioning. It has a sepate gyo-compass that must allow this. It does not use SOG like the Raymarine as best as I can tell.

Confirmed the above with Jim at BOE. He believes the Garmin is one of the best on the market today.

Think thats where I'm headed.

Appreciate your input - thanks for responding.

[WildeOne]

I've had a Simrad AP11 (current replacement is AP16), which has been bulletproof at all speeds. Terrific running offshore, trolling and catching (reduce to idle, one engine in neutral, including running into a head sea) on a GW Gulfstream. The whole point of having an AP for me was always being able to use while fishing and running. I toyed with going cheap (the dealer I bought from sold both Simrad and Ray). The AP11 has been great ... only needed slight tuning adjustment in the first few weeks to straighten out a slight 'S' turning at cruise speeds (25 to 35 knots).

Jim

[1987-cobb]

Don't feel like reading through all of these posts, so I'll just give you my S1000 experience.
This auto pilot is really nice for small boats. I installed it so I could troll for Rockfish alone
and be able to put the lines out and reel in a fish without having to fight the steering wheel.
Will hold a course for as slow as my 22' boat will go. About 2mph. Great for cruising too.
Install it yourself and you can have a fine autopilot for under $900.
Does it work in three foot waves. I'm not going to be out there in three foot waves at all in
a small boat if I can help it, but it works for me in rough water.

Good luck!!