Autopilot Installed

[kmoose]

One of the disadvantages of owning a Tsunami is how far forward you are when your driving. Not that I don't enjoy driving my boat but my offshore runs average 35-50 nautical and in any kind of head sea or fowl weather you can really take an extended flogging so far forward.

On a recent trip a friend was at the helm on the way in and I was enjoying the ride midship hanging on the back of the tower. I thought about how great the ride was back where you CC guys stand and thought...... What a great place to hang out on a long ride! I had been kicking around the idea on adding an autopilot as there is a lot the new units can do and just not having to hold course for a couple hours sounding quite worth the price. After doing some online shopping I got a quote for a complete Garmin GHP 10 system (pump included) for right at $2345 shipped to my door. Because I have been good all year, Santa made and early delivery last friday and I installed it this weekend. Lots of work and limited space made it a full 10 hour ordeal but it's in and I can't wait to not have to drive......

Below is a pic with the head installed into my super high tech dash panel.

[Miles Offshore]

Pretty work on the ap! Love to have one myself. Our offshore runs uphere are very long as well, 65nm+ to the canyon and billfish grounds.

[DonV]

"Because I have been good all year, Santa made and early delivery last friday"

Hummmm.....Ken are you sure you have been all that good? That seems like an awful lot of good to me!! Don't forget, even on auto pilot you have to keep an eye forward, auto pilots can be a nightmare for those not paying attention! Great job!!

[fdheld34]

Hey Ken
My autopilot....I just feed him chips and chocolate milk and he keeps it on a pretty straight course
oh wait I think I am going to be out of pocket more than $3000 in the long run
-Fred

[castalot]

Originally Posted by fdheld34

oh wait I think I am going to be out of pocket more than $3000 in the long run

Yes but worth it

[kmoose]

Agreed Don, an autopilot cannot be used for "No Pilot" functions. Having them on other boats has taught me that they are just a tool to reduce fatigue on long runs leaving you better focus on things that matter ahead of you rather than just holding a compass or plotter heading. Melissa will be real happy as she won't have to get out of the bean bag to hand me a chicken wing and a diet coke while on the way in.....

[kmoose]

Originally Posted by fdheld34

Hey Ken
My autopilot....I just feed him chips and chocolate milk and he keeps it on a pretty straight course
oh wait I think I am going to be out of pocket more than $3000 in the long run
-Fred

I have gone through two of those units. Once they get around 16 years old they become hard to get engaged.....

[DonV]

"Melissa will be real happy as she won't have to get out of the bean bag to hand me a chicken wing and a diet coke while on the way in....."

Good try on the diet coke thing, I'll fall for the chicken wing, however I'm not that gullible on the diet coke. You may fool some of the people that Melissa's only bringing you a diet coke..........it ain't gonna work on this site.

[NoBones]

If you really want the full advantage of the auto pilot combine it with a
good radar !!! That way you can sleep until the radar picks something up
a mile away and shuts it down!! Only way to safely sleep while
the machines do their job...

No diet anything for me!! High test all the way!!

[Terry England]

I like your Furuno GP-31 Differential D-GPS bracket. Has yours developed lines across the face yet? Mine is still going strong but I have to change the Pages to take in all the data like TTG.