AutoPilot anyone?

SkunkBoat · #1 02-04-2019, 06:56 PM

So I'm thinking of adding autopilot to my 265 Express. It has manual Seastar 1.7cu in Tilt helm.
I would need to add power assist pump which I'm seeing as $1800...can that be right?

For autopilot I see I would also need an autopilot pump at $400.

And I would still need an autopilot from garmin or sitex or raymarine. They all seem to come with an autopilot pump and total $2400 but that does not include a power assist pump....

I'm guessing I could get the electronics without the pump but it would probably cost me more!

so I'm looking at $4000 to upgrade? Holy ship!

I need a beer. I need to sell this beast and dust off the canoe.

phatdaddy · #2 02-04-2019, 07:46 PM

I think i d rather put that toward a new set of merc 250 s

SkunkBoat · #3 02-20-2019, 11:16 AM

So I guess asking about an autopilot for an express on the V20 site was't going to get a lot of responses.;p

So, in case anyone is interested.... it turns out that you don't NEED power assist to add autopilot.
The autopilot pump works with manual steering also. So I only need an autopilot kit for about $2k+. (the cheaper ones won't work well at trolling speed, which is the main purpose of getting it)

Pipe_Dream · #4 02-22-2019, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkunkBoat

So I guess asking about an autopilot for an express on the V20 site was't going to get a lot of responses.;p

So, in case anyone is interested.... it turns out that you don't NEED power assist to add autopilot.
The autopilot pump works with manual steering also. So I only need an autopilot kit for about $2k+. (the cheaper ones won't work well at trolling speed, which is the main purpose of getting it)

Yeah, I've never felt the need for auto pilot on the old PD!

SkunkBoat · #5 02-22-2019, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pipe_Dream

Yeah, I've never felt the need for auto pilot on the old PD!

ha! actually the SkunkBoat could have used it. I was always by myself and it absolutely would not go straight by itself...trolling was a thrill...

inaforty · #6 02-22-2019, 03:56 PM

Skunk, Do you know if Garmin would also need a flux compass along with the auto pilot?
Just installed 2 Garmin 1040xs.

SkunkBoat · #7 02-22-2019, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inaforty

Skunk, Do you know if Garmin would also need a flux compass along with the auto pilot?
Just installed 2 Garmin 1040xs.

Nice layout!

The Garmin kits come with a 9 axis heading detector.

The Reactor 40 is what Im considering. There are variations.
The "Compact" Reactor is about $1500 but the consensus is that the pump is not adequate for very slow speeds (trolling).

There are kits with a better pump and a new kit with a "Smart Pump" which increases the reaction and control at trolling speeds.
This bumps it up to $2400 or more...

I believe there is a possibility of saving money by using "a compatible Garmin display" and not buying a GSD20 display/control as part of a kit.

They are very vague on details....

I actually started considering getting Joystick control as part of a repower because that gets you autopilot, auto-hold over a spot, and joystick and drive by wire steering... that would be throwing $2400+ toward that instead...

That'll add $10k-$15k to a $36-$40K repower

I don't know if I can afford this beast....V20 is looking better all the time

inaforty · #8 03-02-2019, 05:02 AM

Thanks for the info Skunk.

I hear about the cost of running twins and fuel burn.

We just did the exhaust kits on our motors.
Just a click over 5k.
Exhaust kits,water pumps,thermostats,zincs,VST filters.

Looking at possibly semi retiring in 8 years (fingers crossed).
The V 20 is looking better when all the numbers are put on paper.

We would love to keep the big boat but they eat up a ton
of $$$.

Destroyer · #9 03-02-2019, 07:41 PM

I downgraded from my larger boat as retirement kept getting nearer. Never looked back. Love the V's. I save $$$ on slip fees and etc. I do miss the larger boat on occasion, but the V suits me better overall.

SkunkBoat · #10 03-03-2019, 05:53 PM

Just pulled the trigger! Went with top o' the line...

Its the Garmin Reactor 40 with Smart Pump and Shadow drive 010-00705-69 pn has the Smart Pump(not v2), GHC-20, CCU, Shadow drive, and a shipload of cables.

found it for $3011.50 on HodgesMarine.com. Then I went to West marine and got price match. (WM wanted $4099!!!) So I get WM points and I bought their protection plan for $200 which lets me deal with WM instead of Garmin if there is a problem. Normally I don't like protection plans but their plans extend the "just bring it back and get another one" time. I won't even be in the water within the normal 30 days.