Options for fried sport pilot on cable assist.

[hawkeye625]

So I have a sport pilot system on a power assist mercruiser / kicker motor set up. The autopilot drive is shot and I'm looking for options to replace. A tech mentioned an octopus drive if it would interface with my pilot. I want the pilot for trolling so am thinking of just going to a garmin reactor...but figured someone might have a more economical fix.

 

 

 

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[L&M]

If you have the X5 version Sport Pilot you can utilize the Octopus Type S drive in place of the X5 drive

[hawkeye625]

Yes I have the x5. Would the octopus work better than the x5 unit for steering the kicker when the main motor Isnt running? The x5 always seemed to make the steering really stiff even when the main was running.

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[L&M]

Steering the boat with power assist steering is most always hard on a mechanical drive pilot with the engine not running but the octopus is a more direct and stronger unit than the X5 was & has a full disconnect so you should see no resistance in steering in standby or pilot off mode. 

[jigstick]

With the octopus helm drives you’ll need to change out your steering cable as well. And they require 10-12in of space behind the dash.  

[L&M]

27 minutes ago, jigstick said:

With the octopus helm drives you’ll need to change out your steering cable as well. And they require 10-12in of space behind the dash.  

 

Good point, you need a minimum of 10" behind the dash, but unless it is an older Morris rotary helm/cable or a rack & pinion set up any existing Teleflex rotary cable is compatible with the octopus drive. 

[hawkeye625]

Not sure what I have. 1992 crestliner sabre. Has 2 cables one for main mercruiser and one for kicker motor. I havent uncovered it yet. From memory I'm not sure I have that much clearance ba k there.

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