The Lowrance cable steer autopilot is about $1500 and would work with the existing steering but you would need specific Lowrance units such as the HDS gen 2 or greater to operate it.
I have the same boat. I put on a 9.9 Suzuki EFI for added safety and lower fuel consumption. Added a dedicated hydraulic steering system just for the 9.9. I also had a Lowrance hydraulic outboard autopilot system which integrated directly into my HDS12 Lowrance. I am surprised how well it works. The extra helm for the dedicated system is installed next to the cabin door and has a small crank handle to turn the 9.9 when not using the autopilot. This is very useful to me when the water is low in my area as I can trim the I/O up completely and use the 9.9 to get to my dock. Attached is a picture showing the fuel tank on the ladder. I have since attached the fuel line directly to the extra port on the Mercruiser filter on the 4.3 with no adverse effects. Lowrance also has an autopilot that attaches behind the helm and therefore would keep the stoch steering in tact. I can't comment on its effectiveness but I know it exists.
I currently have a 4.3 Mercruiser which has 5 drain plugs. Pull them out one at a time and blow compressed air into the drain plug thread area. A hose with a rubber cone for good sealing against the hole in the block and a valve upstream does the trick. A few blasts in each hole and you will be amazed what comes out. I run in a muddy area on Sandy Pond and it sucks up a lot of mud especially late in the season. Been doing it this way for over 40 years with no problems. Had friends that just pulled the plugs or didn't do the antifreeze properly and had cracked blocks.
Go to WalMart and get 50 lb Shakespeare. It is quite large in dia so the fleas cannot grab it. It is also very inexpensive. Put on about 200 ft, this is enough to cover your vertical member from the down riggers. Put on about 20 ft or so of 25 lb test leader to cover the distance behind the ball. Problem solved. Pay attention to knots so you don't have a problem thru the rod eyes and level wind on the reel. Has been working for me for many years.
Used to fish Park De La Verendrye in Quebec once or twice a year until my father passed away. Had many good trips there. Drivable and loaded with lakes for pike and walleye.
Was planning on a walleye trip to Oneida tomorrow. Once again trailer lights not working. Chewed in inaccessible places. Happens almost every year because trailer is stored outside. Any preventative suggestions when rewiring would be appreciated.
I will be out of town for about two weeks. I will take 6 or so if u have them. Maybe a few in blue also. Please put them on the side until I am available. Thank You.
I would b interested in this one. Black back, orange belly. Live in Wilkes Barre area so I can arrange to meet. I have bought from u before. Met in Moscow area
Another hint is to avoid the wire packing up on the transom side of the spool. I push mine over while retrieving every 20 seconds or so to avoid this. If you don't manually "level wind" a bit the cable will pack up on one side and eventually fall over causing a slack spot in the windings which causes a rough bump when lowering the next time. This can cause a cable breakage especially if not using a snubber with Cannon original cable. Ask me how I know !!!
A bit of a story about fish thief snubbers with Scotty cable on my Cannons. About a month ago I was cleaning my boat and I temporarily put my starboard rigger ball from its normal position to sitting on the transom. Finished cleaning and forgot to put it back. Went fishing the next morning. 1 mile across Sandy Pond and 7 miles out to 150 ft of water at 25 mph. When I went to set the rigger I was shocked that it was out 75 ft but the 16lb torpedo was still attached. Fell off the transom somewhere during the morning run out. The snubber was stretched beyond recognition but did not break. The Scotty Cable also was good. Can't get a better test than that.
Get rid of Cannon cable, put on Scotty cable. Use Fish Thief snubbers at the ball. Loosen the clutch to just before slipping than lower the rigger normally with motor. No more problems!!
Received wrong plugs. Won't fit my 4.3 Merc With Vortec heads but will fit most other Mercruiser., 3.0, 5.0, etc. $10 for the set of 6. Pickup in Pulaski area only. Will fit pre Vortec 4.3.
Simrad and Lowrance are basically the same because Simrad is the parent Co of both. Is the unit cable steering or hydraulic? Sometimes takes a bit of effort to find the right person at the help line but once you do they can b very helpful.