grey ghost

how does the autopilot interface with and communicate with the GPS. do you have to have certain brand or model of GPS?

The GPS unit communicates to the autopilot and other units like radar plotter by a NMEA standard which controls the electrical interface and syntax constructs over a 2 wire connections.

The GPS unit specification should delineate that it conforms to NMEA standard and will interface to autopilots

WOW, you lost me allready Gus.

John S.

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Replying to:

The GPS unit communicates to the autopilot and other units like radar plotter by a NMEA standard which controls the electrical interface and syntax constructs over a 2 wire connections.

The GPS unit specification should delineate that it conforms to NMEA standard and will interface to autopilots

thanks gus. i'd love to get a setup like that someday. it's tough fishin' solo, especially with the riggers down , while trying to keep the boat under control and on course.

one more thing on the wish list. till then i've got the bungie cord hooked on the steering wheel. and the buckets off the sides to slow me down.



now, if they could only make a windshifter!


P.S. John, let's just get the one that plugs into the cigarette lighter. LOL

Gus,

We need to talk more about this, maybe I'll go that route, I'd love to see it work. If I wait until Spring I'll have to get out with you sometime. Is it simple to use once set up ???

But maybe I'll do it over the winter unless it's somethig I shouldn't do until the boats in the water ?????

I'll be giving you a call soon.

Fishing alone, especially with an wind is sometimes impossible.

John S.

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Replying to:

Erbyjoe,
I presently have a Raymarine Sports Pilot, been on the boat since 2000 and has been giving me trouble ever since, time for a divorce. In the first year, had it in for repair 4 times. Fortunately, they were only 7 miles away and could run it over to them and wait for it to be repaired. They have discontinued this model, good move.

Looking at the AP12R from Simrad very seriously. There are very few autopilots that will support a cable steering system, there are mostly for hydraulic systems. There are a lot of guys on the Great Lakes using them and have not heard any complaint about the AP12 on forums.

John S,
You sure could use one, especially when you are fishing alone fighting a fish, helping buddy land a fish “that is with a net”, playing with tackle, setting lines and just plain relaxing.

I’ve had one for the last 25 years and would not be with out one; my first one was only a steer to heading type, because Al Gore had not invented GPS then. Today’s AP units with GPS inputs will steer to a heading, steer to a waypoints or use a route. The steer to heading is when you point the boat (barge in your case) to a direction and then activate the AP it will keep the boat on that course. The steer to waypoint or route is when you pick a waypoint to navigate to, the AP will steer to that waypoint. You could assign waypoints at critical points from the river to Church and let the AP take you there in the fog.

Thanks Gray Ghost It sounds like all you have to do is replace the main steering box under the console and hook it up to the gps and your ready to go.Thanks for all the info I fogot about the steering stuff (cable vs hydraulic)There is a place that sales this stuff with free shipping.They will match or beat any ones price it's where I bought my Furuno last year I will look up this unit and let you know the price.Thanks again for all the help.

Erin

Gray Ghost Here is the web site I told you about they are on sale right now.If you call ask for Jim he will take care of you I don't think you will find it cheaper if you do he will match it there is also no taxes and shipping charges.Its the cheapest I have seen yet this morning.Good luck.

Erin

http://byownerelectronics.com/store/product.php?productid=16644&cat=367&page=1

Thanks.... that is the lowest price that I've seen. Now I need to get off the stick and place an order, maybe today.

Wow, thats about 200 cheaper than I was finding it elsewhere in my searches. Thanks for sharing the info. Been eyeing those units myself... maybe? maybe not? we'll see.

I'm glad I could help Jim is a real nice guy they are out of I belive maryland or New Jersey he ships them out as soon as you order them.I have a bunch of other sites if you don't see what you want from Jim I have done alot of reserch on my Furuno finder so that's how I found them.Good luck let me know if you end up getting one I don't know if I can squeeze that kind of $$ out of my pocket this year.But you never know.

Erin

I have 2 of the electric planer board reels and I love them. They do have a manual release knob on the side if there's a problem but as long as it's tight there's no free wheeling. They are Big John's and they are a bit pricey but what the hey, we go this way only once.

Big "P"

eric,

you can get all the big jon stuff in factory 2nds and save a few bucks. just call the factory and talk to John Williams. you can also check out ebay there most always is something there. i realy like all the big jon gear, have had good luck with all of it(planer reels, electric down riggers, otter boats, multi set rod holders)

ilucas

Thanks guys. I wondering about mixing and matching, so thanks for the feedback slip. The Big Jon otter boats looked pretty cool, but I wondered if the Fishlander mast might be a little better than the Big Jon. Sounds like I can't go wrong either way.

Eric

I have Big Jon mast/otter boards,, totally satisfied