21ec Anyone have a Ray Marine Auto Pilot?

[lproulx]

My Ray Marine autopilot works great. The small beef I have is with manual steering. There is about an inch of play in the rim of the wheel before the rudder moves. The play is in the auto pilot drive unit - the wheel moves that amount before the shaft coming out of the auto pilot drive unit starts to move the boat's former wheel mounting shaft. Do yours work that way? Also, the friction you have to overcome with manual steering is very stiff. Can this be adjusted? I bought my boat used, and have not paperwork for the auto pilot. It seems to have many bits and pieces and I can't get anywhere trying to identify it and get manuals on the Ray Marine web site.

Larry

 

[Fisho]

Hi Larry, I don’t have the Raymarine unit but the Lowrance/Simrad unit that works just great for cable steering. But due to cable steering there is a small amount of slack. Not a big deal even though in auto it can move the boat from from side to side a little due but it always gets me where I want to go. Some 21EC owners have fitted hydraulic steering that may improve things but for me the original cable steering fits with the retro concept of the 21EC. On the other hand there is almost no friction in the steering once I cancel autopilot. It is smooth and reasonably direct except for a little slack due to cables. Overall the autopilot on my 21EC is arguable the best “extra” on the boat. The best part of the autopilot is that I can program 50-100+ way points and press go. It can take me down rivers and estuaries etc. Sharp turns can be a problem but over all superb. Best feature is that I can be many miles from home and just set autopilot and it will take me home. You do have to obviously keep a lookout but it takes all the stress out of negotiating channels, navigation markers etc. Superb. Enjoy.

 

[ClearwaterMike]

What model Lowrance/Simrad do you have, where did you purchase from?

 

[Fisho]

From USA Lowrance website

Outboard Pilot Cable-Steer PackSKU: 000-11749-001 Outboard Pilot Cablesteer Pack.
$1,299

You also need to buy a standard plastic bezel that tilts the wheel so the autopilot clears the windscreen wipers.

You also need a Lowrance chartplotter that it is integrated with. My setup is as follows:

Lowrance cable steer autopilot with 20 degree bezel
Instal auto standby button
Instal Point-1 GPS and heading sensor on funnel
Instal NAC-1 computer module
Instal WR10 Wireless Autopilot Controller
Instal BT-1 Bluetooth Base Station

Instal Lowrance HDS-7 Carbon with Navionics GOLD Chart
Instal Lowrance TotalScan transducer

My system can operate via Bluetooth while walking around the boat or sitting at the back. Also the Lowrance has a great sounder/fish finder including Sidescan Sonar. Easy to update software if required.

In the USA you can get more functionality from system than I can get in Australia since it is designed for the US market.

All works a treat. Key is to calibrate and set it up properly. Just follow Manual.

I am in Australia but it is all USA technology and gear. Relatively easy to fit. No modifications required.

Enjoy.