Topic: Auto helm threads ??

[GregE]

I got the  'good idea' response to add one to the SL 22 but can't locate a couple threads with some great info.. 

The Search isn't helping   

[croaker stroker]

Auto steering ? Auto Pilot ?

Google has a better site search...

auto steering site:arimaowners.com

[disposable]

I put AP on mine, lmk if I can help

[GregE]

AP??

Not in my lexicon 

What steering system do you have?

[Doc]

You might have found this one already but in case you did not I will post it.

Advice on autopilots
http://www.arimaowners.com/index.php?topic=2325.0 

[Doc]

Just a few more...

http://www.arimaowners.com/index.php?topic=16402.0

http://www.arimaowners.com/index.php?topic=13038.0

[disposable]

AP??

Not in my lexicon 

sorry greg. i was asking if you wanted information on installing autopilot. i installed lowrance hydraulic autopilot, tied via NMEA2000 to my simrad go7, on my baystar hydraulic steering system.  let me know if i can offer any assistance.

[GregE]

Thanks for the links. Systems have evolved a Lot so will continue to read.

[Kimbrey]

Morning Gregg,
When I had my SL I was able to tie the kicker and the main together with the Seastar Teleflex tie bar.  http://www.seastarsolutions.com/products/hydraulic-new/outboard-new/seastar_kicker/
I don't think there was enough room on the smaller Arima's to use it.
It worked great in conjunction with the autopilot.  When trolling with the kicker you could just leave the main down in the water not running.  It would help the kicker steer as it acted like a rudder.  With this system you had a pilot for the main and kicker both.  Highly recommend it if you install a pilot.

By the way the Furuno Navpilot 300 looks to be a good unit.  One nice thing is it comes with a remote which I'll probably end up using more than the head unit.  The Sabiki mode looks like it'll be good when backing into the sea when fishing for halibut.  The pilot will keep the boat heading correctly with this mode.

[GregE]

Thanks for the link Kim
This boat has a port side helm for the kicker installed by PO

[Kimbrey]

Thanks for the link Kim
This boat has a port side helm for the kicker installed by PO

Ohhh interesting.  So two separate steering systems?  It is nice or easier to troll on a autopilot with the two engines tied together.  The pilot is nice for the tuna runs or any run with some distance.  It gets to the point where you say to yourself, "Self, why did I wait so long.".

[Mooch]

The pilot is nice for the tuna runs or any run with some distance.

Always a good idea to maintain a watch tho.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtZJ__8PVDU

Kim and Greg, if the AP ever goes down, I know a good coxswain that works cheap and sober.   

[Kimbrey]

The pilot is nice for the tuna runs or any run with some distance.

Always a good idea to maintain a watch tho.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtZJ__8PVDU

Kim and Greg, if the AP ever goes down, I know a good coxswain that works cheap and sober.   

Seems like a remember that incident and it wasn't that guys first time either.  I've been using pilots for so long it wasn't even an option when I bought the electronics for my SL several years ago and that pilot didn't work worth a hoot but I still used it.  I think the problem was bad positioning of the heading sensor which was close to the steering pump.  My bad....all on me as I installed it.  The first pilot I ever used was when I first started commercial fishing on the trawlers.  That boat had a Wood Feeman (Iron Mike) which was a chain drive to a sprocket on the ships wheel with a powerful electric motor.  To engage it you had to reach between the spokes of the wheel and pull the clutch.  You had to get your hand out of there quick or you would get your arm broke.  I don't remember how we disengaged, maybe just killed the power.  Man I must be getting old.