RayMarine Smart Pilot Feedback

[mtboxess]

Am looking at the Ray Marine Smart Pilot x-5 Sport Pilot for my 1995 23' Penn Yan Avenger. I have literally no experience with auto pilots and am looking for any feedback on this unit or any other unit that would work on a boat like mine. Mostly trolling on the FingrLakes in the spring then up to Lake Ontario in Aug. The boats weight is approx. 4000#. Thanks.

Dion

[holy mackerel]

You may want to look at Simrad AP12 or Ap14. They have been around for years

(formally Navico) They make them for mechanical and hydraulic steering.

Check Consumer marine products.

I have owned Ratheon (sport pilot plus) and Simrad/ Navico. No comparison.

Good luck.

[stinger]

Dion, I just emailed Raymarine on Tuesday (2/3/09) at 10:05AM about this vary unit. Here is my email to them.

"I'm interested in replaceing my autopilot with the SmartPilot X-5 Sport Autopilot (E12206). Since it was introduced last year it hasn't been available through most if not all sources. Also I made a few inquiries on my local fishing forum which covers New York and bording states and no one seems to know anything about them.

Is the unit going to be on the market for this spring? The 2009 boating season has already started for those that want to get new equipment installed. My boat hits the water the last week of March and I sure would like to get this type of work done before that.

Any information about the SmartPilot X-5 Sport Autopilot, good or bad, would be appreciated.

Thanks"

Their response came back at 11:46AM. Not bad, less than 2 hours to hear from them. This is what they said,

"We are looking at March 2009."

Not much of a response if you ask me . Even though the unit looks good on paper I think caution is needed here .

My big question is why are they having such a problem coming to market with this unit?

[L&M]

Look close at Simrad. There a good reliable unit that will do everything you need it to on your boat Dion.

I'm not a dealer nor do I represent there company. Just know what I have seen with the unit's I have installed. Good unit all the way around.

[GAMBLER]

I would recommend the Simrad. I helped Jax install his and it was a piece of cake. The unit has worked flawless. I have a bad taste in my mouth for Raymarine after purchasing a Sport Pilot Plus and having many problems with it. I sent it back 3 times. The first 2, they told me there was nothing wrong with it. The third time, they finally figured out it did not have the proper lubriaction in the unit from the get go.

[Jax]

Definatly love my Simrad AP. If you have any questions drop me a PM, of if you want to see it in action this coming season.

[stinger]

The Simad is made for mechanical(cable) or hydraulic steering. While the unit for the mechanical steering systems seems to be an easy intall from what I read, other posts about the hydraulic unit is something else altogether.

My Bud' installed a hydraulic unit this past season and had a little trouble getting tech support from Simrad when the unit arrived without any hyd. hoses to connect the pump into the system. While frustrating it was also expensive to get the proper hoses and adapters which ended up being custom made at a local shop.

So with that being said do any of you out there have any experience installing the Simrad Hyd. system autopilot? If so, can you pass along some tips and some potential hangups doing the install. I'm sure there are a few of us guys that are in the market for a first time or replacement (like me) autopilot.

My boat is presently equipped with cable steering and a King AP2000 autopilot (18 yrs old, on it's 2nd boat & still running ). I want to change my steering over to hydraulic and replace the autopilot at the same time. Simrad is getting the thumbs up from everyone that has been responding to these autopilot posts so I'm leaning in that direction.

[mtboxess]

Would like to thank everybody for their input. Going to do some more research on the Simrad unit and the RayMarine ST6002. Will give feedback when I make a decision.

[Hookedup]

Like Stinger I am going to be going to a new autopilot, I have hydraulic steering on the boat and am looing at the AP-14 so I can have a handheld remote. I am willing to drive to a good marina for instal but I dont know of any that do this work in my area. I also would not mind doing the work my self if I can get the unit to arrive with all of the parts. What do you guys think?

[FX]

Check out Hank at L&M. Great work and reasonable prices.

Shawn

[Hookedup]

Thank do you have any contact info. Sean

[stinger]

....wow Sean,....now that Parker is my idea of a fishing boat

Did ya pick that up in down around the Chesapeake area?

[Hookedup]

Yup down in CT on the sound from All Season Marine Works great guys to deal with. Now the work starts, let me know what you decide with the autopilot. I was going to go with the TR1 for the kicker but im not to shure about only having autopilot on the kicker. Probably go with the AP-14 I have to get with Hank from above post. Thanks Sean

[stinger]

I saw the Parker's at the Richmond, VA boat show last year . If I was in the market for a boat it would be in the lineup for consideration. Also the MayCraft is another prospect. http://www.maycraftboats.com/model_2300pilot.php

Anyway, I think that a autopilot on your main engine and a connecter to the kicker is the way to go. There will be times when you'll want to use the main for trolling and also it's pretty nice to have if you have any distance to go when up on plane.

It's to bad that the Raymarine Smart Pilot is delayed coming out. There is a definite market for the helm controlled units. Space is a big issue in the 18' to 23' boats and pumps, hoses and the rest of the stuff you have to bury in what little space you have can be an issue. My King AP is 1980's technology and is still working. Not the greatest by todays standards but at least it works. You would think that someone would have been able to take over that part of the market after King went out of business in the early 90's.

[stinger]

Well, the Raymarine Smartpilot X5 is finally in stock. First come, first served.

http://www.hodgesmarine.com/ProductDeta ... =RAYE12206

Who wants to be the guinea pig?

[momay4000]

Stinger,

It is not in stock yet. In fact, I received an automatic email today from Hodges, called them within ten minutes and it was still out of stock. I spoke with someone over there and they said it was an error and they hadn't processed any orders yet. They also apparently have over 200 people nationally on the wait list for one of the units.

I also spoke with Raymarine today and according to them the entire unit has yet to be released. They have released the helm units to some dealers, but they're still waiting to release the control.....nonetheless, the wait continues..........

- Chris

Disclaimer - I have no ties to Raymarine (actually I would be embarrassed if I did at the rate they're going...)

[stinger]

Thanks Chris for the reply. I also got one of those emails saying that they were in stock. I logged on the the site and it was listed as "IN Stock" so I put it in my shopping cart and stopped there. That is when I made the post about the unit being available.

As bad as I would like to have one of those units I wouldn't buy one without it being on the market for awhile.

My back is not against the wall for a autopilot so right now time is on my side,...`till mine breaks