NC895 autopilot

[lynnardm]

I’ll be ordering a Navionics autopilot shortly. I’ll be doing the installation. If anyone has any recommendations or tips on the installation or pictures of installed components that might be useful I’d appreciate it.

Thanks
Capt’n Lynn

[westboating]

Capt Lynn,

     I'm very interested in how your autopilot project goes.  I spoke with a few navionics folks at the boat show and the price was prohibitive for a river boater.  I might be more motivated if I was idling around the sound at 7-9 Kts, but $5K is steep for what I think I'd get out of it.

Let me know,

Thanks,

Kris

[lynnardm]

Mar 19, 2020 3:52:45 GMT westboating said:

Capt Lynn,

     I'm very interested in how your autopilot project goes.  I spoke with a few navionics folks at the boat show and the price was prohibitive for a river boater.  I might be more motivated if I was idling around the sound at 7-9 Kts, but $5K is steep for what I think I'd get out of it.

Let me know,

Thanks,

Kris

I received the autopilot package from Raymarine and everything looks as I expected. The toughest part is planning the install for component locations and interconnections. But I’ve come up with what should be a good design that I’m happy with. I just ordered the additional electrical and hydraulic components that are needed. Thankfully Seastar has great tech support as it was almost impossible for me to determine (on my own) some of the hydraulic fitting part numbers I needed.

Installation is a complex task and I’d only recommend it for someone that has a high level of experience. The $5000 you quoted is a good price a complete package including install. I’ll probably have $2200 into all the autopilot components and additional parts and that’s with a Raymarine rebate. If I was going to do an install for someone I’d probably need to charge $2000 for labor.

Capt’n Lynn

[stuwright]

Hi Capt'n Lynn,

How are you getting on with your autopilot kit and do you have any photos?

[lynnardm]

Stu,

The Raymarine autopilot installation went great but of course took quite a bit of time.  It was well worth the effort.  I use it every time I go out.  The only issue I had was with the torque pull of the single F300 resulting in the autopilot wandered at fast planing speeds.  I didn't use it much as those speeds but rather just for slow "trawler speeds" so not a big deal.  But as I commented in the Sharrow thread the Sharrow propeller eliminated the torque pull and now the autopilot tracks great at any speed.  I still don't use it at high speeds unless the water is nearly smooth,  Thats so I can better see hazards like deadheads and have enough time to react.  Pressing the button to disengage the autopilot only takes a second or two but that eats up a lot of ones time to react to an obstacle at high speeds.  I may not have saved the pics but its easy to take a few for you if you are thinking of getting autopilot.  Let me know.

Captn Lynn

[stuwright]

Hi Capt'n Lynn,

Thanks for the reply and yes I am looking to get it. Very happy the Sharrow props assist with this.

[lynnardm]

Here are pics of the Raymarine autopilot components. The autopilot control head is installed in upper right of the dash.  The location is great for visibility and easy reach. I particularly like the dial for use in manually selecting a heading.  It works like a mini steering wheel and is a great way to steer while on autopilot. The next pic shows the ACU black box on the 2nd berth forward bulkhead and the pump inside the 2nd berth compartment door. This location is under helm.  From the helm when it’s quiet in the boat I can hear when the pump engages. It’s also a good location as it’s directly below rhe steering wheel hydraulic pump so the hydraulic lines are short. I believe they are 5-6’.  The last pic is the 9 axis motion sensor. It’s located centered (port/stbd) under aft 2nd berth floor panel.  The sensor needs to be at a distance from any metal like electrical, motors, magnets etc.  

Capt’n Lynn 

[stuwright]

I was originally looking at getting the Raymarine autopilot due to having really good functions but decided not to as it needed the Raymarine Axiom screen if I remember correctly. I have the 12 inch Garmin screen so looked into their system but eventually deciding on Helm Master EX with autopilot.

One thing I have found with boating is it is a mine field with so many different option and reviews, often coming down to what is actually available.

[lynnardm]

Stu

The Helm Master EX with autopilot looks great. I’ve never seen one in a boat. I saw some pricing that was quite high (perhaps incorrect) so glad I’m not in the market :,). Let us know how it goes.

Capt’n Lynn

[westboating]

Capt Lynn,

     How is the Auto Pilot holding up, any quarks?  The installation looks great.

[lynnardm]

West

Yes autopilot working great. I’m hoping for some warm spring weather so we’re motivated to go use it :,)

Capt’n Lynn

[stuwright]

Mar 14, 2023 16:12:32 GMT lynnardm said:

Stu

The Helm Master EX with autopilot looks great. I’ve never seen one in a boat. I saw some pricing that was quite high (perhaps incorrect) so glad I’m not in the market :,). Let us know how it goes.

Capt’n Lynn

Hi Capt Lynn,

It is expensive to have installed. I have the digi throttles, keyless ignition and a CL5 display unit. In order to go lvl 4 I believe I need the joystick, 8 button switch panel and the engine completely converted to DES electric steering. The labour is not cheap for such a big job and potentially it will be about £22k installed and calibrated.

We are waiting for the last 2parts for the install so fingers crossed it won’t be long now.

[ihsan]

                                   Our 795 electronics are all Garmin, chartplotter, ais receiving wireless, radar, transducer, autopilot  (GHP Compact Reactor40 Hyd Autopilot, Start Pack w/GHC20,w/Pump) 

                                    Evinrude engine 200 has electronic DPS control system.

                                    The expert from Garmin who came to install refrained to mount the unit which enables you to disable the system automatically by moving the helm, saying it creates problems. This is their famous shadow drive technology. It is of course a disappointment. 

                                      The pneumatic clamp he used for better looks in pipe connections caused a small leak,  and slowly drained all the steering fluid in the system, leaving us at sea. He changed it with a stainless ordinary clamp which is fine now. 

                                       The system together with Garmin 922 xs with maps loaded is able to navigate automatically, making the turns itself. 
                                        The system with steering fluid full works fine even in rough wheather conditions. For long journeys it helps a lot. 
                                        

                                        

[chris200]

Mar 1, 2023 23:20:43 GMT stuwright said:

Hi Capt'n Lynn,

Thanks for the reply and yes I am looking to get it. Very happy the Sharrow props assist with this.

Check the specs but on a factory install I believe a hard pull on the wheel overcomes the autopilot and disengages it.