Octopus S/T drive install 208 FYI

[TeK]

I had a raymarine sport pilot that finally gave up. Anyone that’s had one knows the issue with the plastic drive gear. Not looking to go to hydraulic steering so my only option was the octopus drive. The drive itself is longer as the clutch and drive motor sit behind the helm and the 208 really doesn’t have the room, but it can work. I had to do some cutting and fabrication. It connected with the raymarine course computer with no issues. Sorry no pics of the install. I just wanted to put this out as I did not find anything on the web. I fish on Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Tom

 

[seasick]

What motor do you have on that hull?

To be honest, I never seen one of these mechanical steering auto pilots

 

[TeK]

200 Yamaha 2 stroke and 9.9 kicker

link. https://octopusdrives.com/products/type-s-t-dashboard-drives/

 

[seasick]

hmmmm. The reason I asked is that Grady states that 208s with 175 or higher hp motos should have hydraulic steering That was the case for my 2002 208 model.

Is your motor a bit hard to turn?

 

[TeK]

It is a 95 and hydraulic steering was an option then. Works fine with cable steering though.

 

[seasick]

Well, I learned something today..
Safe boating!