AutoPilot anyone?

Destroyer · #1 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 · #2 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.

Phoenix_MD · #3 08-13-2019, 03:27 PM

I installed a reactor kit in this twin 150 catamaran. It was very nice.

No, a power assist pump is not needed - autopilot pump connects to the hydraulic system after the helm pump. CCU axis rate sensor is included as part of the kit.

The reactor does not need the dedicated control display - any compatible NMEA 2000 plotter / MFD will work. This cat had a Garmin 740s plotter prior to all the upgrades and both that, the 8612, and the autopilot control display could command the system equally.

Dschaffer · #4 01-13-2021, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkunkBoat

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.

Would this system work with an I/O with manual cable steering? I have a kicker motor I troll with and have thought about putting the Garmin reactor 40 on that but I like the idea of having it on the main motor instead.

spareparts · #5 01-13-2021, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dschaffer

Would this system work with an I/O with manual cable steering? I have a kicker motor I troll with and have thought about putting the Garmin reactor 40 on that but I like the idea of having it on the main motor instead.

you'll have to go with an auto helm type setup for cable steering

Dschaffer · #6 01-14-2021, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spareparts

you'll have to go with an auto helm type setup for cable steering

Thanks for the info. The more I think about it, I don’t believe that type of set up would work too well for slow trolling.
The best options would probably be the Reactor 40 on my kicker or putting a minkota with ipilot on the bow. Not sure which would be the better way to go.

pjbrownva · #7 07-01-2021, 05:26 PM

I'm getting the raymarine EV-150 Autopilot.

It's a package that includes the pump, a 9-axis sensor, a hydraulic pump and a main control unit. List price is $2K.
ev150-1.jpg

It also includes a control that has some buttons and rotary knob.
ev-150-2.jpg

It sounds sweet. The smaller EV-100 is spec'd to handle up to 150 HP, but I think that the system could be a bit stressed with my 140 HP or in situations with strong currents, etc.

The EV-150 moves more fluid, and can turn the motor at twice the speed of the 100, so I figured that was a better choice.

Of course, I'll have to get hydraulic steering too... so it might be about 2 months before I'm up and running with it.

Anyone familiar with the "Norel" brand? Is it cheap stuff, or just not common in the US. It says it's made in the netherlands.

Not sure if I should get that... or a baystar.... or a full seastar system.

SkunkBoat · #8 03-03-2019, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Destroyer

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.

I'm going bigger as retirement gets closer because I don't want to be sitting in front of the TV in 10 years, watching Jeopardy, seeing my name as an answer and responding "Who is the loser who never stepped up and lived the dream?