All I can say is that the Autopilot should have been one of my priorities years ago!
Hook up a fish, lock on heading, go fight the fish without the boat turning and tangling the lines. Just keep an eye out for other boats.
Like others have said, keeps a better course than I can manually, so better fuel and time.
Less wear and tear on me.
When heading in for the day, set heading toward home at a trolling speed, allowing us to clean up and gain some miles before we get on plane. With my typical 50 to 60 mile run home, we gain sometimes 10 miles or so by the time we get all cleaned up and everything tied down for the ride. This is a huge time saver!
For the money, this autopilot option is a good deal and well worth it!
Ah, you have seen the light. I have been saying for years that an A/P should be high on the list of upgrades.
When we purchased our 2002 Islander 270 new in March 2002, we immediately expanded our fishing in the lower Chesapeake Bay. That included trolling for striped bass that first winter season. It was always just Cathy and I, and soon found that when one of four lines hooked up and I went to clear the others while Cathy got the fish, the boat would wander terribly. Installed a Simrad AP-11H and that was the start of it.
Went to an AP-16, then an AP-26 when a nearby lightning strike damaged the 16. Had moved to a Simrad NAC-2 unit before selling the boat.
When we would finish up a day of fishing 75nm out, I would do just as you describe. Pick that arrival waypoint on the Simrad or Lowrance, put the A/P in "Navigate", set the speed for a fast troll, and then get the cockpit all cleared, gear stowed, head calls for all, bean bags set, beer nearby for the crew, and then throttle up for the long cruise home.
Used contour navigation to troll over a 450-ft deep area on the slopes of the Norfolk Canyon.
