Ranger Tug 21ec autopilot

[Half Pint]

Has anyone installed an autopilot in a Ranger Tug 21ec? If so, what type and comments on performance would be appreciated.
Thank you.

 

[rayzickrick]

I don't own my 2014 21EC anymore but I did install a Simrad auto pilot on that. Worked great for what I needed. It would steer the boat so I could catch more fish. If you go to my photo albums, you should see some photos of the installed product.

 

[Half Pint]

Thanks for this. I am very impressed by your photos, particularly the table mounted on the engine cover. It looks to me that the support slides into a fitting on the back of the engine cover. Is that correct? If not, does the table interfere with opening the engine cover?

 

[camiii]

I installed one this year. I added the Garmin reactor 40 mechanical and an octopus drive behind the wheel https://octopusdrives.com/products/type-s-t-dashboard-drives/. Works great, even with the original Garmin chart plotter from 2013.

 

[Half Pint]

Thank you. That sounds like the system I need to install. Is your chart plotter a Garmin 441s? If so, then I am good to go. My boat is 2011 and I am not sure when Garmin stopped supporting this model of chart plotter.

 

[camiii]

Thank you. That sounds like the system I need to install. Is your chart plotter a Garmin 441s? If so, then I am good to go. My boat is 2011 and I am not sure when Garmin stopped supporting this model of chart plotter.

I have the GPSMAP 700 series, my boat is a 2013. Garmin is pretty good about backward compatibility. But just give them a call, their service is great.

 

[Half Pint]

Thanks for this.

 

[Full_O_Fish]

441s has nmea0183 data output which can be interfaced to the optional accessory cable of the EOL (end of life) GHC20 control head. So if you can find the reactor 40 mechanical/solenoid retrofit kit with the GHC20 then you're in business and just need the octopus drive unit along with the Garmin rudder feedback module.

If you happen to be interested, I have a virtually brand new octopus drive type T (tilt helm) with the Garmin feedback already installed and a U flex tilt helm attached. Had it installed for about a month before deciding to pull everything out and switch over to hydraulic since I didn't like having the clutch and watching the steering wheel spin, plus with the hydraulic pump being able to be located further in the cockpit my second mate could actually sleep while underway with the pilot going.