Intellisteer opinion

[Fontanacdory]

I want to buy an intellisteer for my 22 with cable steering. I can steer with hand held remote, cost is 739.00 . Just can’t afford an autopilot. Opinions please . Thanks mike. Msjill

 

[thataway]

It should work fine. But is not a substitute for an auto pilot....In other words it is just a way of turning the wheel remotely--you can be in the cockpit and trolling with the main motor and steer with the remote. You still have the issue of keeping a proper look out.

Auto pilot steers to a course, or to a waypoint. This does not. It just moves the wheel, which then push pull on the cable and moves the motor.

I would also get a remote engine stop if you fail overboard. FELL Marine Mob+ Wireless Man-Overboard Cutoff Switch. It is $200. Could save your life. Actually it is a good idea for any one who solo boats...!

Trolling motor auto pilot start at about $1300 if you have a kicker you use for trolling--and this is a real auto pilot which steers to a heading.

 

[ssobol]

... You still have the issue of keeping a proper look out. ...

You still have to keep a look out even with an autopilot. Personally, I don't see much utility in an autopilot in a small boat like a C-Dory. You still have to sit up front and keep watch, On a C-Dory that means you are within arms reach of the wheel anyway, so you might as well steer.

When things get rough, I'm not sure that an autopilot will alleviate the operator workload much if any. Finally, when conditions allow and I can cruise at speed, my boat tracks pretty well and only requires intermittent steering adjustments anyway. But I still have to be near the helm keeping a look out for obstacles and other boats.

 

[jkidd]

Best thing I ever put on my boat buy a good one. Allows me relax and keep watch. I can be at the helm all day and not get tired. I have courses plotted all over yellowstone and Lake Powell hardly have to take the wheel. No crazy Ivans when I reel in a fish.

 

[Hunkydory]

My Raymarine S1000 auto pilot installed in 2005 is no where near as nice or capable as Jody’s, but still I, like him, think it the best item I’ve installed on the boat. We made two extended cruises without an pilot before getting one, so I well know the difference. When mine finally gives up, I’ll be replacing with the same or similar to Jody’s.

Jay

 

[hardee]

... You still have the issue of keeping a proper look out. ...

You still have to keep a look out even with an autopilot. Personally, I don't see much utility in an autopilot in a small boat like a C-Dory. You still have to sit up front and keep watch, On a C-Dory that means you are within arms reach of the wheel anyway, so you might as well steer.

When things get rough, I'm not sure that an autopilot will alleviate the operator workload much if any. Finally, when conditions allow and I can cruise at speed, my boat tracks pretty well and only requires intermittent steering adjustments anyway. But I still have to be near the helm keeping a look out for obstacles and other boats.

OK, I third that vote for the AP. It is very near the best thing on my boat. I single hand so/and I use my Auto pilot A LOT. Best use, in the fog. Just playing once, with the GPS track on as I crossed Juan de Fuca - 25 miles shore to shore where I cross -- Hand steering, watching the compass, the radar and plotter the compass, the and every scan goes across the window's side to side running about 4.5 knots. My GPS track looked like a drunken sailor following a snake trail. I added about 3-4 miles onto my crossing, loops, jags, and more. on AP, it is a straight line. AND, more time to pay attention to radar, plotter and outside.

I actually enjoy moving in the fog, but I use radar, tuned in, AIS, fog horn and can stand or sit as is comfortable, not glued to the wheel.

My thoughts on the Intelisteer, not worth the $$$, but that's me.

And I want to add a +++ to the heads up about the MOB+ from Fell Marine. Should be an absolute on for anyone who single hands anytime.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

 

[garyf]

OK... nice thread on autopilot-ish stuff... I'm still catching up on my first round of new gadgets, but I have already wondered about an autopilot and I like the arguments "for" them... so it might be in my future at some point.

When I bought my MFD, I checked to make sure that is was compatible with autopilots and so on - but what else might I need to address along the way? I currently have cable steering... would switching to hydraulic be required, or recommended?

 

[Foggy]

I like an autopilot on a boat.

Like having an extra hand onboard to take the helm, when you are shorthanded,
it frees you up to do something else briefly and still maintain watch.

Many don't realize a well adjusted well functioning autopilot saves fuel ( fuel
economy - a major topic of concern on this website). On a longer voyage, it keeps
the desired course better than most can steer by hand eventually paying for itself.
An autopilot does need periodic adjustments for cross track error from wind
and/or current, but that's really a non-issue. Most importantly, an autopilot never
complains, never tells bad jokes, gets sea sick or drinks beer.

It is doubtful one can do the same with a hand held remote which acts the same
as steering by hand.

Aye.
Grandpa used to say, "If you have to get a gadget, get a good one."

 

[DayBreak]

I don't have an autopilot system on my boat but I know I need one. Can anyone recommend a quality unit that may not have all the options but can keep a straight course and last for years? I have a Raymarine Axiom chartplotter and SeaStar hydraulic steering.

I once followed a boat 15 miles offshore who must have had an autopilot because the course he took was a perfect straight line on my chartplotter. I find it difficult to keep a straight course of travel by having to focus on so many other factors while at the helm.

Thank you for recommendations.

 

[thataway]

Of the in-expensive auto pilots the RayMarine is probably the Best Buy. I have an older model, and the EVO 150 is a step up.

The EVO 100 in Wheel pilot can be found for about $1400--maybe a few $ less. on special sale. The EVO 150 is the best for our C Dory with hydraulic steering, and is a couple o f hundred more than the Wheel pilot.

The Wheel pilot will bolt to the steering wheel. It has a clutch, so you can hand steer. I have owned a version many years ago, and it did OK for small light boats. I do believe the hydraulic has more features and is better at keeping courses. But the conversion to hydraulic steering is going to be about $700 with BayStar. There are Chinese clones--no idea how well they work for half the price,

I had auto pilots on all of my sailboat boats even as small as 23'. There I was regularly going to Catalina, and a 5 hour trip at times. Just steer a straight line. (When I was a teenager, I was the designated helms person on my dad's boat. My dad made me steer a straight line, using a box lifeboat compass on the floor of the cockpit--while my mother had me cite Latin conjugation of verbs and quizzed on spelling and meaning of Latin or French vocabulary...

The current c Dory came with an auto pilot--This is the only one with a pilot in the 17 years of owning C Dorys. I will have to admit, I use it a lot, even though 95 % of our boating is rivers or ICW/Bays...

 

[smckean (Tosca)]

You still have to sit up front and keep watch; on a C-Dory that means you are within arms reach of the wheel anyway

I'll likely get criticized for this practice , but on nice days, while single-handing, one of the many things I love about having an autopilot is that I don't have to sit up front. I remove all window coverings (especially in the head), then sit in the cockpit on a chair, propped up with a pillow or two. I then use the autopilot remote to steer the boat while sitting in the sunshine (often drinking a beer). I can see quite well (altho it might be possible to miss a barely floating log). Note I only do this at hull speed.

 

[DayBreak]

(When I was a teenager, I was the designated helms person on my dad's boat. My dad made me steer a straight line, using a box lifeboat compass on the floor of the cockpit--while my mother had me cite Latin conjugation of verbs and quizzed on spelling and meaning of Latin or French vocabulary...

Wow. Talk about distractions Bob. Not only did your mom sharpen your mind with educational knowledge but she also sharpened you mentally to stay focused while concentrating on another task. Funny story!

Thanks for sharing on your experience with the difference between a EVO 100 vs. EVO 150. Is the EVO 100 noticeable in making more course adjustments over the EVO 150 and would this be distracting and an annoyance over time?

Thanks Bob.

 

[T.R. Bauer]

I wish I had autopilot.

 

[thataway]

Is the EVO 100 noticeable in making more course adjustments over the EVO 150 and would this be distracting and an annoyance over time?

I had one of the early outboard course pilots, and then an AutoHelm 300 on sailboats. Yes the wheel turning was noticeable, but not a distraction. The auto pilot pumps on these smaller and less expensive units do make some noise and a little vibration. Not a distraction. I suspect that some of the more expensive, like Garmin might be a little quieter. Also where the pump is located may be an issue. In my current boat the pump is right below the wheel / hydraulic pump on the back side of the console bulkhead.

 

[hardee]

I like an autopilot on a boat.

Like having an extra hand onboard to take the helm, when you are shorthanded,
it frees you up to do something else briefly and still maintain watch.

Many don't realize a well adjusted well functioning autopilot saves fuel ( fuel
economy - a major topic of concern on this website). On a longer voyage, it keeps
the desired course better than most can steer by hand eventually paying for itself.
An autopilot does need periodic adjustments for cross track error from wind
and/or current, but that's really a non-issue. Most importantly, an autopilot never
complains, never tells bad jokes, gets sea sick or drinks beer.

It is doubtful one can do the same with a hand held remote which acts the same
as steering by hand.

Aye.
Grandpa used to say, "If you have to get a gadget, get a good one."

I agree with Foggy here.

I have a RayMarine EV150. When they put that in, I decided I like the new 1 inch diameter steering wheel. It is about the size of a spool of thread and I can adjust in any increment of the 180 degrees in front of me. And that is how I steer my baot -- mostly. (Then there is that whole nuther thing about twins in oppositional power steering :smiled

The auto pilot can be used 2 basic ways. (Well actually 3 but I don't set multiple waypoint courses) so I use the other two. 1. Go to this waypoint. In that situation the AP does all the course adjustment for wind and current buffeting. More often than not, I will use the mini wheel and make minimal adjustments in steering, 2-5 degrees. Crossing Juan de Fuca, the "Go to This Waypoint" works well and there is little adjusting by me going on. Up in the islands, I do most with the little wheel

I am well satisfied with the RM EV150. No complaints. If you already have RM gear and hydraulic steering i would recommend that route.

Sandy, I sure hope you are wearing your MOB+ along with that remote AP :wink

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

 

[smckean (Tosca)]

Sandy, I sure hope you are wearing your MOB+ along with that remote AP

Afraid I don't have a MOB unit. Frankly, I don't even wear a life jacket except rarely. Harvey, my guess is that you would be horrified by some of the things I do :wink: :lol: :lol:. I won't justify my behavior....tolerating low odds risk situations has been a major theme in my life.

 

[hardee]

Sandy, I sure hope you are wearing your MOB+ along with that remote AP

Afraid I don't have a MOB unit. Frankly, I don't even wear a life jacket except rarely. Harvey, my guess is that you would be horrified by some of the things I do :wink: :lol: :lol:. I won't justify my behavior....tolerating low odds risk situations has been a major theme in my life.

"...low odds risk situations..." Sounds like the definition of accident, something nobody ever plans.

To each his own Sandy, Merry Christmas.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon