Auto pilot for Merry Fisher 805

[chamac]

Hi Folks
I want to fit an autopilot to my Merry Fisher 805.
Looks like my only option is the Lowrance cable steering version,
Outboard Pilot Cable-Steer Pack | Marine Autopilot | Lowrance USA
Has anyone fitted one of these or is there another option for a MF805?
Charlie

 

[Travelling Westerly]

Sure is,
I fitted a Raymarine linear ram, direct to the steering quadrant. Was easy as long as you are happy to fabricate a bracket.

 

[chamac]

Thanks for the reply.
I was going with Lowrance because I have a HDS touch that would control the Lowrance unit.

 

[tomaz_slo]

@chamac, did you finish your project with an autopilot?

 

[chamac]

Not yet.
I'm still researching the best option.
Charlie

 

[PaulRainbow]

Not yet.
I'm still researching the best option.
Charlie

I would fit a linear drive. My choice would be Garmin. I wouldn't want to be messing around at the helm of the 805 changing the original steering drive. A linear drive will be independent of the cable steering, which gives some redundancy if the factory system fails in any way. You get a nice, dedicated controller that does not rely on the plotter being on and operational, but it should still be possible for the AP to steer to a waypoint or route on the plotter, although i've not interfaced one with a Lowrance plotter (has worked with lots of combinations of Garmin, Raymarine, Simrad etc).

 

[tomaz_slo]

I would fit a linear drive. My choice would be Garmin. I wouldn't want to be messing around at the helm of the 805 changing the original steering drive. A linear drive will be independent of the cable steering, which gives some redundancy if the factory system fails in any way. You get a nice, dedicated controller that does not rely on the plotter being on and operational, but it should still be possible for the AP to steer to a waypoint or route on the plotter, although i've not interfaced one with a Lowrance plotter (has worked with lots of combinations of Garmin, Raymarine, Simrad etc).

It's a big problem to fit linear drive on the rudder shaft. as I supose it's similar as on Antares 760....