New to LOU and need some advice

[patfkeene]

I am recently a new member to this site. Will be fishing from the Bronte Outer Harbour this year. Purchased a 24 Ft Grady White with a 250 Yamaha and 9.9 Yamaha. The kicker can be steered from the helm via a mechanical arm attached to the main engine. I would like to add an autopilot, but am not very familiar. Any thoughts, ideas, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

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Pat

[Ryno23]

I fished the lake for 5 years without an autopilot than got a new boat that had one won't ever look back. Not sure how I survived without one.

One on my boat is a simrod. Works great but only one I've have ever had thu. Forgot the brand on my buddies but his works just as good. I would have a marina install it thu. Unless ur good at that stuff.

Just my two cents.

[patfkeene]

Thanks for the vote of confidence... Is it attached to your main engine or kicker

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Pat

[Ryno23]

Main engine. I know a lot of guys are going wt the remote control types now. Mine is an older style that doesn't have that.

If your getting a new one make sure you go that route. Steer the boat from anywhere...

[Hookedup]

Garmin GHP 10 unit has performed flawlessly and I put it in myself. Sean

[Rich D]

Installing a Simrad AP24 with Bluetooth remote on my boat now. Can't wait to get it done and in use!!! What type of steering do you have??

Capt Rich

[patfkeene]

I have hydraulic steering to my main engine and a bar to the kicker. My mechanic is suggesting autopilot directly to the kicker and has recommended a T4 Panther system. The potential concern is that based on the size and weight of my boat, that system may not react fast enough. I am certainly open to any additional ideas and suggestions, based on my limited knowledge.

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Pat

[mudflat]

If you want to have the auto pilot on just the kicker so you don't need the connector arm then I would go with a Garmin TR-1 Gold. You are correct, with that size boat a T9.9 kicker is going to have to be very active to hold a course in any kind of wind or current. The auto pilot almost needs to anticipate the needed course corrections to keep up and I don't think the T4 will do it. I'm running a TR-1 with a T9.9 kicker on a 25' Penn Yan and feel the TR-1 is what makes it work.

With hydraulic steering you can install an auto pilot on your main for about the same money as what the TR-1 will cost and with the connector arm the auto pilot would work with both motors. This is what I would have done except I have rotary cable steering on my Penn Yan and would have had to convert to hydraulic steering. Garmin, Simrad and Raymarine all make good systems so I would pick one based on what other electronics you have on the boat and what dealers are available in your area.

Either way will cost you a lot more than the T4 system but it would be well worth the expense when you're on the water.

[patfkeene]

Thanks for your help. Very much appreciated

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Pat