Todd in NY

I've been looking at solar panels too, but none of them have a high enough charge rate, at least none that I recall. I'm always looking at other options, so I might find something sooner or later that will work.

The Lowrance Outboard Pilot has a continuous draw of 8 amps and a max draw of 16 amps, so an autopilot is out of the picture for me until I can afford to upgrade to a newer kicker motor with a good charging system. It seems like that's the least amount of draw from other autopilots as well. Thanks for all the feedback, information, and ideas! At least I learned something through all this discussion.

Thanks for the link. Those are the specs I was looking for.

I can't find any specs for the Lowrance Outboard Pilot for cable steer boats. Their web site lists the continuous current draw at 8 amps and peak draw at 16 amps for the NAC-2 AP computer. But, the Outboard Pilot uses the NAC-1, and there doesn't appear to be any specs on that one.

It's amazing how much heavier those 4 stroke motors are.

Lol, you'll have to hook me up with your POC

Thanks for the info CK. A newer kicker motor might have to wait another 3 years, after my son finishes college. AP units are constantly working to stay on course. Maybe the AP idea will have to wait too.

Pap, I'm glad you got a great deal on that kicker motor. That was well worth the drive.

The draw rate was another concern with any AP on the market.

Does the Lowrance outboard pilot work if the main motor is off? I would be running all electronics on my #2 dual purpose battery, with an older 2 stroke kicker that has no charging system. If an autopilot system needs the main motor on in order to work, it won't work for my setup.

That makes more sense because your power assist isn't working with the main motor not running. The NFB steering system is not recommended for autopilot, so it has to one or the other. I think the NFB steering system for my boat is less than $175, which includes the new helm, steering cable and all parts. It's nowhere near as good as an autopilot, but for 1/3 or 1/4 the cost it sure is tempting to scrap the whole AP idea.

That's good to know, Pap. I wouldn't be using my main with the AP. Maybe I'll just settle for a new NFB helm and steering cable and forget the AP. Then I can get a NIB Gen 1 Helix 10 with GPS, SI and DI for $850. I'm glad I have a few months to think about my options. I never fish by myself anyway.

I have a cable steer outboard, rotary helm, Evinrude 150. Does the Octopus AP unit you are talking about have it's own drive unit? I'm not impressed with the ridiculous high cost of the Lowrance HDS units. Give me a list of parts I would need to set up my boat with a Raymarine EV200, the Octopus Type S and the rudder reference. What else is there? Thanks!

Ttt

Those NFB helms are awesome. But I didn't have AP on the boat that had the NFB helm. Matt, what AP system does your Chris Craft have?

I was wondering if your Proline had hydraulic steering or not, and what kind of AP you put in the boat.

I was wondering about needing a drive unit. I'm planning to call Garmin and Raymarine to get their recommendations. I'm not against getting the Lowrance pilot, but I'd have to find a good deal on an HDS, and I'm already looking at them online.

Thanks guys! Not sure if I'll make it down there this year or not. Carthage is supposed to be 15 degrees Thursday night and 13 degrees Friday night. I'm still cutting down dead trees for firewood. I still haven't had a chance to set up my new boat yet, and it has no fishing equipment in it yet.

I'm looking for an AP that I can link to my Humminbird 959 NMEA 2000 port. I'm emailing a friend of mine today to get his recommendation. I'm trying to avoid installing a hydraulic steering pump if possible.

Must be for newer boats. After looking at a bunch of the autopilots on the market, it looks like many of them come with a hydraulic pump that my boat doesn't have, so I'm not sure where that pump gets installed in the system. I found a Raymarine EV-200 unit that doesn't have that pump, so it might work on my boat. I like the Lowrance AP unit but I'm not a fan of Lowrance fish finders. The HDS units are considerably more expensive than Humminbirds with similar features.