Navpilot 300 for small boat trolling?

[coldmark]

I talked to Furuno today and 2 area Furuno dealers. None of them were able to say definitively whether this AP would work on my boat to be used primarily for Great Lakes trolling at 2.5-3.0 mph. Does anyone have experience with the Navpilot 300 on a similar sized rig for trolling?

21 ft. Hewescraft Searunner
Honda 135hp
Baystar single cylinder steering 7.3 cu. in.
Honda 20hp kicker with optional tie rod

Also, any recommendations for small boat trolling for salmon in case this doesn't work? Thanks!

 

[Johnny Electron]

Because you are trolling lower than the required establishment of SOG (3knots) you would want to add a rudder reference unit to the boat to ensure that the pilot knows where your rudder/engines are pointed at all times. The pilot would work but you would need to fit a RRU for your fishing needs.

 

[coldmark]

Thanks, Johnny! I decided to go in a different direction. I hate to go with something that the Furuno engineer can't decide will work. I'm leaning either Raymarine EV-150 or one of the Garmin Reactor 40 offerings. I'll go with the same brand for chartplotter/fishfinder as my Lowrance is ready to be retired or gifted to someone who csan use it.