What autopilot??

[Zarco]

Nearing the end of my project. Motor goes in this week. One of the first things I want to replace after getting it in the water is the autopilot. What do you guys recommend to replace the old benmar/centec unit?

[DOGHOUSE26]

Simrad AP11 or 14

[Professor]

Simrad AP11 or 14

What he said.

[Zarco]

Where is the best(cheapest) place to buy it?

[DOGHOUSE26]

Install yourself?

Try Consumer Marine Electronics, they are hard to beat for price.

Phantom Marine here in Pt Loma has then and can install too, but a bit pricey. However, they service what they sell and they can troubleshoot your system if needed.

I try to purchase something from them every other year or so, so my relationship with them stays on the preferred side. I brought my GPS and Furuno Xducer off the net but I bought my 585 Fishfinder from them on sale so I got the unit for the same price but I had to pay tax on it. But when anything goes wrong and I need service/repair by tomorrow, they jump on it and I know if they get a call from a stranger they don't bend over backwards and rush like they do for a preferred customer.

[Knot Now]

Where is the best(cheapest) place to buy it?

I don't think its as nice, but my boat came with a Si-Tex SP-70 Autopilot (http://www.consumersmarine.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?i=250080&pdesc=Si_Tex_SP_70_Autopilot&str=autopilot&merchID=3005&r=view)

They are about 1/2 the price at about $1500 with the pump and has work well for the first 10 years....I had to replace the hand held controller as some of the buttons (switches) quit working.

Phil

[DOGHOUSE26]

I think Russ on the Time Out has a Sitex too and he swears by it. It gives him and Mark more free time to tie up new trolling rigs on the way to the hotspot to replace the many they busted off from the trip before.

[Malu Lani]

I have the sitex too so far so good.Make sure you interface with your gps it makes life alot easier.

[Knot Now]

Yes, Time Out also has the Si-Tex ...I borrowed his hand controller to see if that was my problem. A new controller was only $300 and they were very fast on shipping a replacement.

I was told Blackman used them for years.....

Phil

[Time Out]

Yes I have the Si Tex 70 it was easy to install has worked well for 5 years
It has a problem sometimes the control head will lock up I have heard other people have the same problem you have to turn off the breaker for second and it resets its only happened a few times kind of a pain.
I think at the time I paid 1200 for it I think its 1500 now I never could interface mine with the Lowrance GPS other than that very nice.

It's not as fancy as Jeffs but I don't sleep at the wheel like he does so I don't need all the advanced warning systems he uses.

Russ

[Zarco]

Found a good deal on a raymarine setup it's the st8002s1g about $1500 otd for the whole setup including a new pump. Either this or save for the simrad ap24 system.

[Zarco]

Blackman had an old benmar control laying around. Going to run the benmar for now since it seems to work. Will be looking for a deal on a simrad ap24.

[Zarco]

Benmar didn't work properly. Bought the raymarine system.deal was to good to pass up.:D