On Sun, 26 Sep 2004 10:17:15 GMT, "Clams Canino"
wrote:

Is there such a thing that ties a GPS into a Teleflx sterring system? When
we're out exploring the lake (at 1200 rpm) I find myself getting quite
annoyed having to sit behind the wheel 24/7 to do silly little course
corrections.

I'd much rather program in a route and only manipulate the wheel to avoid
traffic.

-W


I use a Cetrek autopilot:

http://www.cetrek.co.uk/USA/leisure_pilots.htm

I have a permanently installed 730 controller on at the upper helm and use a
handheld 715 controller that I can plug into jacks at the cabin helm, a jack
at the stern, and another on the command bridge.

The autopilot system is connected to an older garmin 76 via a simple NMEA
serial interface. The garmin is a blessing when I get out 20 or more miles
from home port and want to get back in a hurry. It puts me on a perfect
straight line back home. I simply route the autopilot back to home, set the
autopilot to follow the GPS instead of compass, put the boat in a slow
forward speed until it gets on course and then open her up. Of course I have
also pre-programmed several routes into the garmin that I use when trolling
for walleye. All I have to do then is keep an eye out for other boats and
reel in the fish. In Lake Erie, we use side planers a lot. The autopilot
sure helps prevent getting a tangled mess when the wind and waves are up.

Quite frankly, I probably am on autopilot 90% of the time, just steering by
the electronic compass and using the rotating course knob to fine tune
direction every once in a while.

You didn't mention if your Teleflex steering system was mechanical or
hydraulic. Because of my dual helm, I opted to convert the steering system
to hydraulic which I did on my own. BTW, Cetrek is owned by Teleflex so the
conversion is easy for boats already equipped with either hydraulic or
mechanical steering.

Once you have a boat with an autopilot that is easy to use, you won't ever
want to go back. to steering the boat yourself..