Need help choosing autopilot

[buyeno32]

Hi everyone,

I want to add an autopilot to my 30' boat. I have the TZ Touch 3 and have a single inboard diesel engine. I have kobelt helm pump and kobelt steering ram (7.5" stroke). This would be my first experience with autopilot so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[buyeno32]

Specifically, I have 2 kobelt helm pumps. Kobelt 7031 2 cubic in per turn. The kobelt ram is 7040 with 7.5" stroke. If any other info is need please let me know.

 

[buyeno32]

The ram is 11 cubic inch displacement.

 

[Johnny Electron]

What type of boat is it? On the surface it appears you could use either the 300 or the 711C pilot with the PUMPOCT10-12. Do you have an existing pump?

 

[buyeno32]

Its a 30' deep vee flybridge boat similar to a Bertram but not as wide (beam). I do not have an existing pump as this would be my first ever experience with autopilot. Here's a list that I put together:

Furuno NavPilot 300 Autopilot with PG700
Furuno PUMPOCT10-12 Autopilot Pump
Furuno SafeHelm 2 Sensor and Adaptor Kit

Thanks

 

[Quitsa]

Its a 30' deep vee flybridge boat similar to a Bertram but not as wide (beam). I do not have an existing pump as this would be my first ever experience with autopilot. Here's a list that I put together:

Furuno NavPilot 300 Autopilot with PG700
Furuno PUMPOCT10-12 Autopilot Pump
Furuno SafeHelm 2 Sensor and Adaptor Kit

Thanks

Spend a little extra and get an SCX-20 satellite compass instead of the PG700. It is more accurate and not subject to deviation errors or magnetic interference. It will also give you better speed, course, and position data on your TZT 3. As a added benefit, you can use heaving control with the TZT 3 internal sounder. I have a NavPilot 711C, which works well but I don’t have experience with the 300.

An autopilot will change your life. You will wonder how you lived without it.

 

[buyeno32]

Its a 30' deep vee flybridge boat similar to a Bertram but not as wide (beam). I do not have an existing pump as this would be my first ever experience with autopilot. Here's a list that I put together:

Furuno NavPilot 300 Autopilot with PG700
Furuno PUMPOCT10-12 Autopilot Pump
Furuno SafeHelm 2 Sensor and Adaptor Kit

Thanks

Spend a little extra and get an SCX-20 satellite compass instead of the PG700. It is more accurate and not subject to deviation errors or magnetic interference. It will also give you better speed, course, and position data on your TZT 3. As a added benefit, you can use heaving control with the TZT 3 internal sounder. I have a NavPilot 711C, which works well but I don’t have experience with the 300.

An autopilot will change your life. You will wonder how you lived without it.

When installing the SCX-20, does it have to be clear to open skies? I would like to mount it under the flybridge dash (fiberglass) to keep it protected from the elements. My other option would be to mount on pole on side of cabin but aesthetics is my main issue.

 

[Johnny Electron]

It needs to be open to the sky and also beware it is out of the radar beam or very near other strong RF sources. Here is a direct link to the manual which discusses the installation. https://www.furunousa.com/-/media/sites ... manual.pdf

 

[TailWhip4Guy]

Following this thread for information, I have a similar config request.

I have 2002 2320 Parker with a Volvo Penta AD41P inboard diesel. This motor also has a power steering pump making sterring from the helm VERY light to the touch and very easy to control. My boat is about 8500 lbs fully loaded on the water and has a 8.5 beam with a 21 degree dead rise. Its not in any way has big or as heavy as Buyeno32's above. I have a TZT3 12" with a Furuno NXT radome linked to AIS through NMEA2000 network.

I was initially instructed by a tech to go with the NavPilot 711C-S (not sure what the "S" is for?) but I don't think I need the ruder reference unit and I dont think I need all of the wind control features of the 711 (sounds like a better unit for a sail boat)?? Would I be correct in assuming the 300 with the PG700 and the PumpOCT10-12 would be sufficient and allow me to use the NMEA2000 backbone for the network and add the remote navigation? Does the 300 come with SafeHelm2 and how would that work with a motor driven power steering pump?

Is there any reason to go with the more expensive 711 over the 300?

PS - I used to run Simrad and made the mistake of purchasing the NAC 1 which offered very limited ability to tune compared to the NAC3. I dont want to make the same mistake here.

Looking forward to your reply.

 

[gtstang462002]

On your boat, I would probably opt for the 300. Currently, the safehelm sensor is unavailable with no known return date to stock as far as I know. Really the biggest advantage of the 711 is the AP computer can drive a high amperage pump that is generally needed for larger vessels. The 300 has a Bluetooth remote for point-and-go functionality. I believe that the rudder sensor is required for low-speed navigation <5-6 knots. check the documentation on that to confirm.