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R 21 Auto pilot
- Thread starter RayJulian
- Start date
commander bill
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 4, 2009
- Messages
- 292
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-248 C
- Vessel Name
- Lenabell
I was originally against autopilots. I am too much old school (iron men, wood ships, paper charts). But Rich of RT Tug told me how well the RM S1000 worked so I installed one. Cost less than $900. Now long trips are much less tiring. I can not see how I got by without one before. Also when underway in fog you can actually keep course better and pay mot attention to the view ahead. I am not sure what type steering the R21 has as the S1000 is designed for hydraulic and it is an easy install which easily connects to Garmin or other GPS data outputs.
walldog
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 1,292
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-302 C
- Hull Identification Number
- R3136
- Vessel Name
- Willie's Tug (2014)
- MMSI Number
- 367606080
YesRayJulian":88raehcc said:Is it feasible to install an auto pilot to 2008 R21. It makes sense when short handed.
- Joined
- Nov 21, 2008
- Messages
- 1,389
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-24 C
Hello Ray,
Always good to hear from you. I have installed a comnav autopilot on a customers boat that worked pretty well. I think it is a bit overkill for the R21 but I didn't have any other options because the Raymarine version was not available.
Raymarine has just informed me that they are re-introducing the "Sport Pilot" again. This should be available in March. It is a much easier setup then the comnav as it just bolts to the helm. The only disadvantage is the steering wheel will be moved towards the helm seat by 2". This unit does not use a fluxgate compass as it only uses the onboard GPS to steer when following a track that is made on your plotter.
The Comnav unit is a bit higher end and requires modification to your existing helm. You have to replace the helm with a motor driven helm and it uses a "fluxgate" compass which the larger boats use.
As I mentioned, the Raymarine unit in my opinion will work just fine with the Ranger R21.
Always good to hear from you. I have installed a comnav autopilot on a customers boat that worked pretty well. I think it is a bit overkill for the R21 but I didn't have any other options because the Raymarine version was not available.
Raymarine has just informed me that they are re-introducing the "Sport Pilot" again. This should be available in March. It is a much easier setup then the comnav as it just bolts to the helm. The only disadvantage is the steering wheel will be moved towards the helm seat by 2". This unit does not use a fluxgate compass as it only uses the onboard GPS to steer when following a track that is made on your plotter.
The Comnav unit is a bit higher end and requires modification to your existing helm. You have to replace the helm with a motor driven helm and it uses a "fluxgate" compass which the larger boats use.
As I mentioned, the Raymarine unit in my opinion will work just fine with the Ranger R21.
RProffer
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2010
- Messages
- 734
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-24 C SE
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- (2010) Therapist II
I don't see a "SportPilot" at the Raymarine website. But they do have a SmartPilot SPX-5R that looks like it will work with the R21 cable steering system. I don't know how well it will interface with the Garmin Chartplotter/GPS. The installation manual says the included fluxgate compass is not required if you intend to use a separate NMEA compass. Here is a link to it. http://www.raymarine.com/default.aspx?site=1§ion=2&page=1839
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