Autopilot on new 21

[Tugether]

Just took delivery of new 21 and absolutely love it. My son, a seasoned boater with a huge boat, has insisted I get an autopilot. We need some advice and what/how to interface with the new Volvo 30 hp. Any suggestions on what will work? We have the new 741 Garmin from you. also looking for inexpensive night vision. We are 75 and night camera will help. any thoughts you can share?

 

[SGIDAVE]

Just took delivery of new 21 and absolutely love it. My son, a seasoned boater with a huge boat, has insisted I get an autopilot. We need some advice and what/how to interface with the new Volvo 30 hp. Any suggestions on what will work? We have the new 741 Garmin from you. also looking for inexpensive night vision. We are 75 and night camera will help. any thoughts you can share?

Hello Tugether,

I have installed the Raymarine EV-200 with the sportpilot wheel drive on my 2013 21EC tug. That words very well and interfaces with my GArmin 740 without difficulty.

I have since installed the Simrad 3G broadband radar with a simrad display. It appears that simrad offers an AP for cable steered boats with a unit that mounts BEHIND the helm. That might work but you'd have to take some measurements.

dave

 

[Tugether]

Thanks, Dave. Raymarine discontinued the sportdrive. Octopus won't fit. I'm waiting for install info from Simrad but it doesn't look too hopeful to fit. Thanks so much for your helpful leads. It looks like it is a dead-end for now.
Herb

 

[SGIDAVE]

Thanks, Dave. Raymarine discontinued the sportdrive. Octopus won't fit. I'm waiting for install info from Simrad but it doesn't look too hopeful to fit. Thanks so much for your helpful leads. It looks like it is a dead-end for now.
Herb

Hello Herb,

DISCONTINUED!! Yikes that sounds CRAZY! There is another guy on the board with the same ap in his 21EC. Its a very good solution.

I think Simrad's cable steer version and the octopus are basically the same drive unit. I would buy one from a place that allows returns and actually see if it could be fitted to the 21EC. I measured the other day and the 10" front/rear dimension requirement is very close. On the Octopus website it shows how you can extend the steering aft an inch or two to get more "room" behind the dash. Anyhow, I think there are ways to MAYBE make it work. If it turns out to be a 'no go' then send it back at no loss.

Would YOU be installing the AP?

You will LOVE an AP so we gotta find you a solution. The 21EC is a narrow boat with a large rudder...it turns if you rock the boat, so it's either hands on the wheel CONSTANTLY or use the AP. I use mine CONSTANTLY - with the Raymarine p70r head unit, you can basically steer with the knob. VERY HANDY

Fair Winds and Autopilots,

david

 

[Gregg]

Hello TUgether,
We replaced the mechanical steering with hydraulic lines to accommodate what was then, a Raymarine sts6000 smart pilot system. A bit of extra cost of course, but the setup is virtually silent and has worked flawlessly ever since. We considered the sport pilot for mechanic steering, but found the unit would punch out the steering column farther than we would have liked. The unit is interfaced with our Garmin 550 plotter.
Hope that helps.

Gregg

 

[Andrew Custis]

We still install the Raymarine Smart Pilot. The old version was discontinued but here is the new version. Pretty simple to install but moves the wheel back about 2 inches. When the R21EC is ordered with an autopilot, we install a slding helm seat to make for more room at the wheel. So far, all of our customers that had it installed love it!

http://www.raymarine.com/view/?id=733

 

[jzois]

Andrew- Are the two components shown in the Raymaine link in you post all you need for the 21. Online packages comes with 3 components, third being a control head. Secondly where do you suggest we order from (not sure Ranger stocks)?

 

[Andrew Custis]

You will definitely need the entire package. The control head that mounts behind the wheel, the display and then the computer which is remote mounted that everything talks with. I am not sure if we have any in stock but we could definitely order a package for you. Richard Becker (parts manager) could get you a package price if you would like.

Take care,

Andrew Custis

Richard Becker
parts@rangertugs.com
(253)839-5213