Minn Kota auto pilot?

[Dano2]

Hopefully NEXT summer I will be getting the boat I've always needed (or is that wanted, heh!)

anyway, I've been wondering about the minn kota auto pilot with sonar.
are they all they are cracked up to be?

can you tell me a little about them.

I understand it will hold course which ever direction you point it in,is this what they mean by automatic tracking? but this thing wont actually hold at the same depth too will it?
I suppose thats a stupid question, but that would sure be nice , eh?
But then again I suppose if you told it to hold at something like 18' and you hit a steep drop off the thing would go hay wire and swing you around and throw you out of the boat, heh , heh!

thanks

[This message has been edited by Dano2 (edited 07-20-2004).]

[MuleSkinner]

I have had my same bow-mountd autopilot for over 7 years. I use it at least 30 times per year. Never a serious problem with it. I love it.

It works simply like you think. You turn whichever way you want to go. Now imagine a point a thousand miles away. The unit keeps turning if, and as, needed to head to that point. If you use the controller to make a turn, imagine a new point a thousand miles away. The unit now keeps heading to that point.

Do not think of it as just a compass direction. In other words, if you make a turn to the north, and the wind or current is pushing you crossways, the unit is going to turn, NW, SW, or what ever direction is needed to take you to that far away point.

Now, heavy winds, gusty winds, swirling winds, boat wakes, currents, can wreak havoc. My unit sometimes will go haywire when a big wake or wave hits. I suggest buy the biggest thrust unit you can. Also, I suggest 24 volt if possible. Mine is only 12. My brother took my advice and bought 24 volt. His autopilot does a better job in heavier wind than mine.

Don't know if they have any steady-depth units. Also, don't know about stern mounted units.

Hope this helps.

[trollingforeyes]

I am on my second Auto Pilot since 92. The reason, I bought a new boat and specified that I wanted another Auto Pilot. Both of mine were 24V 48# bow units. No problems so far. They will hold the same compass direction as long as they have enough power applied to overcome boat wakes,crosswinds and other water current. THe only unit that I am aware of that will follow a certain depth or couse is Pin Point. This is some serious equipment and as you may guess a serious price. Look at Cabelsa and Bass Pro Shops for ideas for prices. The Auto Pilot is a good unit for the money.

[hitthebricks]

I've had two Autopilots and liked them both. I rarely use mine in manuel mode because it takes to much work to keep on track. 24 volts is the way to go for heavy wind days or when it will be used a couple days in a row and can't be recharged because it runs more efficiently than a 12 volt system with two batterys. Also heard the 74 lb minnkota has had a few problems so maybe stay with the 65lb. or less. It would be nice to get rid of the wire running to the transducer with a builtin. HTB

[Shorelunch]

I would go with the Autopilot and absolutely the universal sonar if you plan to have a fish locator on the bow. I didn't have the universal sonar before and got tired of dealing with the transducer cable. Autopilot is a nice feature when trolling bays, weedlines, etc. Make sure to get a Ram mount so the motor's head does knock around while trailering or going through some waves. Co-pilot would be OK to have too. Go with the 24 volt and the on-board charger.

[dfv87]

I just got my first Autopilot trolling motor this year, never thought it was worth it until I tried it! Never again will I not get it. Anything that allows you more time to fish, GET IT! It is so nice, enough said.