Raymarine S1000 autopilot

I've used the S1000 for trolling for a couple of months now and really like it. The standard settings from the initial setup did not work well at trolling speeds on Lake Superior (2 mph). I had to manually mess with the settings so it did not overwork at slow speeds. If I want to use it at cruising speeds, I change the "response" settings. The unit will maintain a heading at 2 mph and less, but if you slow down too much and pull the throttle back to the positive stop just before neutral, the unit will lose its fix and shut down.

Steering from the cockpit at trolling speed with the remote is really nice--allows me to spend more time with the co-pilot while she's watching the rods.

I wrapped insulating foam around the pump to cut down on the noise.

There is a learning curve and some adjustments to be made depending on your needs, but it has worked out well for me.

Gary on "Winyah"
 
Great to hear Gary! So...help me with once you have it figured out how to change response for the differance in cruising speed and trolling speed, what is the button pushing sequence? Two or three pushes?? I guess it is no problem after you find the exact buttons and flow... I know I had a few of these on my Raymarine system... and had to keep a couple of 3x5 cards handy with "HOW I DID IT."

Great to hear this system works well. Good fix to help reduce the noise too.
 
Took the boat out and trialed the new S1000.
It works great! The trolling patterns all worked as designed. Set the waypoint and let'r go.
I went up to Santa Barbara and topped off the tanks, then set the waypoint for Beechers Bay on Santa Rosa- maybe 10 mph winds with some quartering wind waves on the starboard bow- it followed the track straight on.
Spent the night in Beechers and made a complete circum-navigation of Santa Rosa Island.
Found Talcott Shoals off the NW end of Santa Rosa, close to San Miguel. I want to go back and dive it- depths of 15' to 60'+- looks like good bug country.
Lost several lures to the sharks- all 3.5' to 4'. Brought home a couple of good sand bass, filleted and ready for the barbi.
Set the waypoint for Santa Barbara (35 miles away) and made 18 knots all the way in. Oh--- I was washing dishes and cleaning while Auto did the driving, course I was checking on him.
Left the boat in a slip in Santa Barbara for the week.
 
I read it is possible to use the S1000 with a handheld GPS. What model GPS unit do you folks use? Anyone using it with a handheld?

Al
 
As long as the hand held GPS has standard NMEA 0183 output, it will work. Many hand helds have a bracket which gives 12 volt power supply, and allows NMEA output.
 
West Marine and Boaters world have the S1000 listed for $999 and there is an $100 after purchase rebate offerred too. After watching the installation video on the Raymarine web site I think I'm ready to take the plunge. Has anyone installed this unit in a 25' Cruiser ? Any new positive or negative comments ?
 
Russ, While I am a bit of a beginner on all this, I have read several articles which advise using an autopilot that is designed for a larger craft than the one you in which you are installing it. It seems autopilots have to work harder for larger craft, and, if you are installing it on the largest craft for which it is rated, you're more likely to have problems.

Due to advice from others, I went with the Raymarine 6002 unit. Even these units are rated according to the hydraulic flow/pressure ratings of each craft.

While the 1000 unit could possibly work on the CD 25, I think you ought to ask some of the online pros what they think about it. I guess if Les says it's OK, then it is, though.

John
 
There are several limits on the units like the 1000. The pump set is designed for smaller rams and engines--I have heard of folks who had 175 hp and the 1000 did not control the boat well at higher speeds.

There is not a rate gyro compass. Most folks feel that you will get much more accurate steering, especially with heavy beam and down seas,where the boat tends to broach with a rate gryo compass.

There is no rudder feed back--this is easier to install. The wireless units are certainly very handy to use when fishing. Early reports were that the 1000 didn't do well at really slow speeds, but with a software upgrade the reports are much better. There are a lot of reports on The Hull Truth--and probably 70% positive, and 30% negative. Generally a 25 foot boat with a single enging and the teleflex steering should be OK. Most of the happy people have 25 foot or less boat.

If it works well for you, it is a good buy. Read up on the various interphasing with GPS problems--especially Garmin.

Bob Austin
 
Our S1000 auto pilot control is back home today. Sent it off Feb 7 regular shipping from here in Wyoming to Raymarine in New Hampshire for low speed control software upgrade. They sent letter saying they changed software from V1.12 to V1.31 and stated unit passed functional and bench test. Am very pleased with there quick response time and no charges for work performed. Have had unit for approximately a year and a half so didn't expect Raymarine to do it free. In fact would gladly have paid for update. When I first heard this could be done I was thinking of purchasing a new control unit.

Was already very pleased with the S1000 auto pilot's performance and now it should be even better with the ability to fish at a low speed troll when desired.

Raymarine's Handling of this has been 1st class and I thought it appropriate to let the c-brats know.

Jay
 
Chromer

I couldn't. Only knew, due to letter sent by Raymarine with returned unit following update of unit. You could most likely call Raymarine and with serial number information have them determine what software you have, so you know whether you need to have it updated or not.

Jay
 
Chromer Ask:
How could you tell what s/w version was on your S10000 to begin with?
Click to expand...

Accessing the dealer calibration area.
From STANDBY mode, press and hold STANDBY for 2 seconds to enter
PILOT SETUP. Then press and hold mode for 5 seconds until the dealer
calibration screen is displayed.
Subsequent presses of mode will cycle through the calibration options.
Hardware and Software version numbers
Use this screen to display the version and serial numbers for the unit.
 
Well, after researching and talking to Les I purchased the S1000 last month and with my limited mechanical abilities did the installation myself.
This last weekend we had the chance to spend our first overnight outing on the boat and the auto pilot performed as advertised. I didn't put it through all the trolling maneuvers (circle, cloverleaf, etc.) but it took me to a series of waypoints on a planned route and kept me on a straight line, that will be my main uses. We had a great weekend on the Columbia River and I must admit I was a little giddy with my successful installation.

Now where's that Navman fuel computer....?
 
Sportner
Where did you get the S1000? I ordered from West Marine 2/12/07. Have had 3 different dates for delivery with the latest at the end of April. I checked with Raymarine and they say that they are having problems in production.

Dave
 
I ordered mine through Boaters World, I think the the first week in February and received it a few weeks later. There was a $100 rebate if postmarked by 3/31/2007, you better ask for an extension....
 
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