Raymarine Sportpilot Plus

gimmeumpqua · 03-18-2003, 01:20 PM

Thought I'd ask the Salty Dogs since few on Ifish's main board had any experience with this product...

Thinking about an autopilot for my up and coming NR 22ft Seahawk which is presently in production....Would like it to run the main engine as well as the kicker....leaves out the TR1 it appears...

Any experience with this unit?

Kurt

Silver One · 03-18-2003, 09:31 PM

Kurt,
I've got the Raytheon Sportpilot. My boat is a Silver Streak Aluminum 20' deep-vee runabout with soft-top. Motors are 115 4 stroke Yamaha connected with E.Z. Steer to 8 hp Yamaha high thrust with indendent controls. I've only had this unit since last May but the Sportpilot is easy to operate and frees you up to tend rods catch fish ect. I would definately order one again. E-mail me if you have any other questions.

Mike

Master Baiter · 03-19-2003, 12:14 PM

Mike,

I am a little confused when you say independent controls, does it steer your main and kicker separately or just the main and the connecting rod translates to the kicker? How do like the connecting rod, been thinking about getting one for my I/O?

Thanks,

Thomas

Dynamite · 03-19-2003, 01:51 PM

Rogers Marine has the sport pilot plus for $979. I have been thinking about putting one on my Striper.

Silver One · 03-19-2003, 03:36 PM

Thomas,
The Pilot steers the main which in turn steers the kicker. I was refering to "independent" throttle, tilt, and ingnition controls. The connecting rod works OK when both motors are in the down position, when either motor is raised all the way up there is a steep angle created putting the rod in a "near bind". I compensate for this by running the kicker with my main in the down position when trolling etc. When running my main I raise the kicker to just clearing the water and the rod is fine......I also got a private query from dave wondering how the "Pilot" performs at trolling speeds on the ocean. The answer is, it depends, depends on ocean conditions and direction of travel. My experience is that quartering into or down a moderate swell causes sudden position changes that confuse the "Pilot" and make it inoperable while trolling. It does fine while underway. If I had to guess I would say it's only operable 60-70% of the time while ocean tolling. Also, strong winds such as afternoons on the lower Columbia create the same situation. Keep in mind my deep-vee is deeper than most Aluminums, 38 degree entry X 16 degree stern but less than most Fiberglass offshores. I think a deeper vee would help.

Mike

Mr. Gum Puckey · 03-19-2003, 05:03 PM

I have one on a 20' fiberglass boat works great for commerical trolling for salmon.Now putting it on a 24' fiberglass for trolling.You should get the sport plus it has a bigger motor.

WP · 03-19-2003, 10:03 PM

Mike,
I have a 35 degree front and 14 degree stern on my Hewescraft. I looked at the Sportpilot Plus and it looks to me like it might do the trick (though I may want the top down more than I do now!) I wonder what other options there are out there for a small boat pilot that will handle sloww troll speeds in the ocean?

Silver One · 03-20-2003, 05:58 AM

Dave,
I Don't know of any, but I bet'Mr. Puckey'would know if there were any better options.
Mike