RONRUCAS
Newbie
I am new here, and I just acquired a 35 CHB. Would anyone have an opinion on what type of autopilot to buy and a new Chartplotter to control it.
Which Autopilot
- Thread starter RONRUCAS
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Welcome to the forum, friendly albeit slightly opinionated group. Just ask about anchors…
Most modern autopilots are good. You need to pick something that plays well with what you have.
I have a comnav and love it. (Canadian company to boot)
What sort of steering do you have now?
Most modern autopilots are good. You need to pick something that plays well with what you have.
I have a comnav and love it. (Canadian company to boot)
What sort of steering do you have now?
RONRUCAS
Newbie
There is an old existing platform that is not working. I want to have a remote system. Thanks, I will look at ComNav.
RONRUCAS
Newbie
yes it is a hydraulic system
Ok, maybe look at garmin as well.
If you use their pilot and chartplotter there's an interesting auto routing feature you might want to try.
I have a garmin plotter with my comnav, and while it works OK, if I had a garmin autopilot as well, I could take advantage of some extra features.
There will always be someone who had issues with almost every brand, but if you stay with the same family of electronics it will integrate much easier.
If you use their pilot and chartplotter there's an interesting auto routing feature you might want to try.
I have a garmin plotter with my comnav, and while it works OK, if I had a garmin autopilot as well, I could take advantage of some extra features.
There will always be someone who had issues with almost every brand, but if you stay with the same family of electronics it will integrate much easier.
Comodave
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Welcome aboard.
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I have a Garmin on my 24 ft center console and 13 ft Boston Whaler. I have Raymarine on my trawler. I've had Raymarine on my cruising boats for the last 18 yrs and what I am more familiar with. Note that I only have experience with Raymarine radar.
As a chartplotter/GPS they're both about equal in features and function. I'd say the Garmin is a bit more intuitive. Just my .02.....Whatever I get, I get it all the same brand. So I have Raymarine Autopilot, Radar, GPS, Chartplotter. You can mix and match, but staying in the same brand makes it much more plug-and-play.
As a chartplotter/GPS they're both about equal in features and function. I'd say the Garmin is a bit more intuitive. Just my .02.....Whatever I get, I get it all the same brand. So I have Raymarine Autopilot, Radar, GPS, Chartplotter. You can mix and match, but staying in the same brand makes it much more plug-and-play.
Barking Sands
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I may have a Garmin retrofit CCU that is one of the main components of a Garmin retrofit system to use an existing hydraulic pump. I think its about $700 new. Id sell it for $100 because it needs a home. But ill need to find it first and confirm P/Ns etc.
mvweebles
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Weebles had a Comnav 1001 on her when I purchased in 1998. Great pilot and I'm more than a bit nostalgic for it's simplicity and straight tracking (I replaced with full Simrad system a couple years ago - good system but the AP isn't as solid as the Comnav).
I liked the Comnav so much that when I happened to see one come up for sale on a WhatsApp group at the Chiapas Marina, I bought it - it's sitting on Weebles in Chiapas. I'm headed down next week and will bring it home. I don't have a near-term use for it so I'd consider selling. Looks like it's missing the rudder sensor (and doesn't have a remote). I'll keep one of the pumps. Not sure what it's worth but happy to discuss if @RONRUCAS is interested. I'll likely post in the Classifieds when I return.
Peter
I liked the Comnav so much that when I happened to see one come up for sale on a WhatsApp group at the Chiapas Marina, I bought it - it's sitting on Weebles in Chiapas. I'm headed down next week and will bring it home. I don't have a near-term use for it so I'd consider selling. Looks like it's missing the rudder sensor (and doesn't have a remote). I'll keep one of the pumps. Not sure what it's worth but happy to discuss if @RONRUCAS is interested. I'll likely post in the Classifieds when I return.
Peter
Ken E.
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Another Comnav vote. Rock solid on my boat for 20 years. Comnav has a big presence in commercial and fish boats. Plays nice with Furuno.
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Do you have radar now? Do you plan to replace the radar as well? If so, that may figure into your decision. I went with Simrad to replace the old non working unit and have had awesome experience with the new autopilot, chartplotter and radar unit. About $5K all in. The install was easy.
