tcram
2009-03-23 15:22:42
- I'm setting up a boat for hand trolling and it came with 2005 Raymarine Radar, Raymarine GPS, and Raymarine Sounder for electronics. Is this a good package to get started with? How important is auto pilot? Should I spend the extra money now to set it up or can a guy live with out it for a while?
Thanks
TC
JYDPDX
2009-03-23 17:03:31
Depends on if you have steering in the pit and are able to man the wheel with your foot - also how easy it is to keep your boat going in a straight line. Mine is a pain in the ass and takes near constant adjustments. Going without auto pilot for even a day or two has been very frustrating. I know guys that have spent half the season without theirs working but they are two man operations and one guy can drive constantly. I fish alone and have had close calls, ie. near collisions with other boats even with a working auto pilot, this because my course changed unbeknownst to me. Not cool at all. It is hard enough to get everything down fishing alone, in your first season. So it is possible but probably not recommendable. That said, it may cost a pretty penny to get set up with one. I'm sure you've looked at the prices. A comnav setup would probably cost well over $3000 depending on what kind of steering system you have. A rather large investment for a HT boat in its' first year, especially considering you probably have a shit ton of other costs to get going. There are probably cheaper alternatives out there. I think Sitka Electronics Lab may have some used, older makes for sale. I dont know much about that though. Maybe someone can chime in on cheaper alternatives for you. Good luck.
f/v henrietta w
2009-03-24 03:12:42
If you're going to fish alone, get the autopilot. It's good to have a second set of hands and eyes aboard if you're getting started anyway, but sometimes it's just not practical. Or find an old, cheap Wood Freeman, which is just about like not having an autopilot, at least when you're running gear. A couple of seasons ago my autopilot "went democratic" (as they say in Montana), and I was too stubborn to replace it. At the end of the season I checked the GP-32 and found I had hand steered over 4700 miles since it had broken down. In a probably completely unrelated coincidence, I also ended up seeing my doctor and getting put on blood pressure medicine after that season.
If it's at all possible financially, get the autopilot - it's a purchase you won't regret, and will be the second hand on the boat. And don't skimp on the safety gear - Good luck.