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Posts: 1462
Location: Davenport, IA | I'm going to be getting a new 70# PD V2 for my new boat. Autopilot looks cool, but for those of you that have it or have had it it...is it worth it? Do you find yourself using it a lot? |
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Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I don't, but I'm a boat control freak and running any direction for more than a few seconds usually takes me off course. Contour lines are rarely straight, and I worry alot about keeping everyone in the boat on the best approach. That said, it's nice for playing a fish on a windward shore (will hold you out there without the boat going in circles) or doing a controlled drift on a big flat. |
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Location: Athens, Ohio | It has it's limitations. I rode slut in a boat owned by an M1st member, his auto did well hugging breaklines but when confronted with a flat area it tended to spin the boat in circles looking for it's depth. Hated it. I'd not own one but I can see situations where it can be very handy. m |
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Location: Contrarian Island | imo auto pilot is the best feature for easier boat control ever designed...in big wind it doesn't work the best but in winds less than say 15mph it cuts down on the amount you have to step on the foot pedal by at least 50%....i would never own a boat without it and most of the top guides i know use it religously as well...
also, the ONLY time i ever run mine on constant is with a fish in the net or taking photo's to run the boat off structure or to run it into the sun to get good pics...the auto pilot feature is not just for running it on constant (which i never do anyway)
Edited by MSKY HNR 9/3/2007 9:24 PM
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Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I don't remember saying anything about running it on 'constant on'. My experience is it didn't cut my time on the foot pedal that much at all, but as I said, I'm a boat control freak. Guess I'm not in the same league as a 'top guide'. Oh well, something to work toward, I guess.
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Location: Contrarian Island | i wasn't saying you did say that Steve....some think that is what it is meant for....in the experiences i have ...i have watched guys run boats without autopilot and i run it with....anyone who fishes with me knows i'm a boat control freak like you are...and I feel I have to change the direction of the motor app 50% less than guys that don't have the feature...
especially in any kind of wind....just my opinion...
Edited by MSKY HNR 9/3/2007 9:37 PM
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Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | 
I was being a smart#$^#, I know what you meant....feeling my oats tonight. Agreed, many think that is what the auto pilot feature is for, and for some it is, which is a bad thing for precise boat control. |
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Posts: 1270
| One of the best things on my boat! For cast and blast it really doesn't do much but for slow trolling it can't be beat! |
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Posts: 1185
Location: Wishin I Was Fishin' | I wouldn't buy one without it....make sure you get the universal sonar too, straping a transducer on after doesn't work very good because the wire can't be attached to the shaft, and you will sooner than later break it off when you hit a rock with it. |
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Posts: 5874
| You got an AP now Jo? I thought you were into the handheld models!
I won't be without the AP ever again. I use it mostly for trolling harnesses for eyes, but I do use it when casting for muskies. Comes in very handy when working flats, and even structure. When you get used to it, and really figure out how to best use it, it is awesome for boat control. Worth every penny I pay for it.
Mikie, I think you must be thinking of the PinPoint unit with the depth track, creek trac, and shore trac features. Capt Extreme had one, and it worked OK. The MK AP's are compass based units. |
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Posts: 129
| My old trolling motor had it. I got a smoking deal on a much bigger trolling motor without it. I love the xtra thrust but I really wish I still had the ap feature. Its really nice when releasing fish and taking pics when its windy. |
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Posts: 507
| My 2005 boat had an autopilot (the type that operates via compass heading, not via sonar tracking) and I used the featureALOT in certain situations, both walleye and musky fishing. The foot pedal style on the old ones and the way the motor deployed were the main drawbacks for me. The Terrova style is much improved from everything I have heard.
Zach |
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Is autopillot worth it?