auto pilot for 27 ft I/O boat

[TurboTim]

I have 1991 27ft Larson with twin 4.3's and I am looking for an auto pilot setup for my boat. I went to a local west marine and they didn't know anything about the systems, probably because no one around here would use them on the local lakes. I go up to Superior and Apostle Islands for most my boating so one would be nice. My boat has power steering though I have belt disconnected because it leaks and it's cables to the helm. I can't figure out what system I need to buy and if I need to have my power steering fixed and working or not. I do my own work and will be installing this myself.

 

[achris]

I've also been looking at Auto-pilot for my boat, also with a 4.3MPI... The main problem with putting auto-pilot on Mercruiser engines with power steering it that the steering actuator is a 'non-feedback' type. Most auto-pilots need to move the steering arm directly, and the way the actuator works is that it resists any movement of the steering arm directly, so it will work against the auto-pilot. There are a few 'work-arounds' for the problem, but most will leave you without power steering when you want to drive the boat manually.

If you would be happy without the power steering, and given that you say you have belt off because of a leak I'll assume that's the case, then I would remove the actuator and put a standard (Mercruiser 3.0L engine style) steering cable tube in and hook a standard auto-pilot straight up to that....

Which brands have you looked at?

 

[Georgesalmon]

Raymarime sport pilot. Has worked very well on three boats now for me. Two outboards and one I/O. Just hooks up to the helm and you need power, and a feed from your GPS, though it still works without that. Also have to mount an electronic compass center of the boat and low.

 

[alldodge]

I have 1991 27ft Larson with twin 4.3's and I am looking for an auto pilot setup for my boat. I went to a local west marine and they didn't know anything about the systems, probably because no one around here would use them on the local lakes. I go up to Superior and Apostle Islands for most my boating so one would be nice. My boat has power steering though I have belt disconnected because it leaks and it's cables to the helm. I can't figure out what system I need to buy and if I need to have my power steering fixed and working or not. I do my own work and will be installing this myself.

Go to Octopus and look at their MDR drive
http://octopusdrives.com/content/4-...ering-engine-i-want-add-autopilot-system-what

 

[achris]

Raymarime sport pilot. Has worked very well on three boats now for me. Two outboards and one I/O. Just hooks up to the helm and you need power, and a feed from your GPS, though it still works without that. Also have to mount an electronic compass center of the boat and low.

I've seen a few boats with this system. Works well IF your steering wheel is on a 3/4" tapered shaft, most earlier Mercury systems (Mercruiser and Merc O/B) use a square shaft, so this system doesn't work. You also need space behind the wheel, and leg clearance (the ones bolted you ).

Go to Octopus and look at their MDR drive
http://octopusdrives.com/content/4-...ering-engine-i-want-add-autopilot-system-what

Thanks AD, that's exactly what I've been looking for for years. I knew I would need something that works the steering cable at the engine end, and had come up with a few designs of my own, but this looks better than any of mine...

All I have to do now is either build the system (control for that drive^) as I designed it years ago, or find a commercial unit I consider a reasonable price... (more than $2K is NOT reasonable!)