AutoPilot Options

[Saga26]

Hello all,

I currently have a hard top cruiser with a Raytheon Sport Pilot Plus AutoPilot that I am struggling with and looking for options or solutions. I am at my wits end trying to get this system to hold a course and it totally refuses. I read somewhere of a surveyor that called this system "Crazy Ivan" and I am beginning to see why. I have replaced the fluxgate compass, tried a few different compass mounting locations, added some ferrites and it still has a mind of its own. I would love to get this system to function as it should but at this point I am considering throwing in the towel.

I have upgraded Garmin electronics on the boat with radar and sonar if that would make an integration and easier. The boat has a Volvo Penta AD31 diesel engine with a cable controlled DuoProp outdrive.

 

[alldodge]

Welcome
Moved you to see if it can get more inputs

 

[dingbat]

Hello all,

I currently have a hard top cruiser with a Raytheon Sport Pilot Plus AutoPilot that I am struggling with and looking for options or solutions. I am at my wits end trying to get this system to hold a course and it totally refuses. I read somewhere of a surveyor that called this system "Crazy Ivan" and I am beginning to see why. I have replaced the fluxgate compass, tried a few different compass mounting locations, added some ferrites and it still has a mind of its own. I would love to get this system to function as it should but at this point I am considering throwing in the towel.

Problems at speed for trolling?
Assuming you have position feedback sensor?
If not, it's never going to work worth a darn

I have upgraded Garmin electronics on the boat with radar and sonar if that would make an integration and easier. The boat has a Volvo Penta AD31 diesel engine with a cable controlled DuoProp outdrive.

Cable steer is not the best for slow speed operation.

Much different interface today than used 20 years ago.
You would be better off a start over with modern equipment

Marine AutoPilots | Boat Autopilots | Garmin

With Garmin boat and marine autopilots, you can hold your course — even when your boat is pitching and rolling in rough water.

www.garmin.com

 

[Saga26]

Problems at speed for trolling?
Assuming you have position feedback sensor?
If not, it's never going to work worth a darn

Cable steer is not the best for slow speed operation.

Much different interface today than used 20 years ago.
You would be better off a start over with modern equipment

Marine AutoPilots | Boat Autopilots | Garmin

With Garmin boat and marine autopilots, you can hold your course — even when your boat is pitching and rolling in rough water.

www.garmin.com

I assume the fluxgate compass is the feedback sensor?

 

[Bondo]

I assume the fluxgate compass is the feedback sensor?

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,...... No, the compass is a compass,.....
The feedback sensor attaches to the tiller arm,.....

I have the same unit, with the compass, feedback sensor, 'n tied into Gps,.....
I found it keeps perfect course, at speed,.....
When trolling, it can't keep up against the wind, 'n would go off course quickly,.... downwind, it was Ok,....

 

[Saga26]

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,...... No, the compass is a compass,.....
The feedback sensor attaches to the tiller arm,.....

I have the same unit, with the compass, feedback sensor, 'n tied into Gps,.....
I found it keeps perfect course, at speed,.....
When trolling, it can't keep up against the wind, 'n would go off course quickly,.... downwind, it was Ok,....

Thanks for clarifying, Bondo! Then yes, both the fluxgate compass and the feedback sensor are connected. I pick a landmark, set the Sport Pilot+ and it will steer but veers drastically. I have even given it a chance to correct and easily went off course 45-50 degrees. When I bought the boat, the wire harness coming out of the compass port was cut off and no compass was to be found. I was thinking the previous owner had other plans but could not figure out what, so I ended up finding a compass on Ebay.

 

[Saga26]

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,...... No, the compass is a compass,.....
The feedback sensor attaches to the tiller arm,.....

I have the same unit, with the compass, feedback sensor, 'n tied into Gps,.....
I found it keeps perfect course, at speed,.....
When trolling, it can't keep up against the wind, 'n would go off course quickly,.... downwind, it was Ok,....

You mentioned yours is tied into GPS. Is that my problem? Does it need GPS?

 

[Bondo]

You mentioned yours is tied into GPS. Is that my problem? Does it need GPS?

Ayuh,..... I don't know,...... I had the Gps, before I bought the sport pilot +,...
then I added the compass,...... then finally the tiller indicator,....

As I said, at speeds it works Ok,.....
Trolling, it only worked going downwind,....
Anything else, it couldn't correct fast enough, 'n then it just started beeping, 'n shutdown when it lost it's heading,....