*THE HULL TRUTH is the world's largest FREE network for the discussion of Boating & Fishing. Whether you're researching a new boat, or are a seasoned Captain, you'll find The Hull Truth Boating & Fishing Message Forum contains a wealth of information from Boaters and Sportfishermen around the world.
Welcome to the updated THT!
If you are having trouble signing in, please email feedback@thehulltruth.com with your username and we will help you. We thank you for your patience as we help you access the new site!
Random Quote: What's wrong with this dang blasted machine?
Just finished the installation of an AP-12H.
Haven't actually trolled with it yet, but did a shakedown cruise on Sunday. Ran boat at minimum idle speed and slightly above on autopilot, and did 10-degree course changes to see how it did in the 2-foot chop. Never more than 5-degrees off the base course, and I did not increase the gain to compensate for the slow speed.
I doubt very seriously if the AP-12 will hold a course while trolling at that low a speed (I don't know because my boat will not go that slow if kept in gear). This is particularly true if there is much breeze or any sort of waves (2 feet maybe?) worth mentioning. If you are on a lake that if flat as a pool table it would probably work, but other than that I don't think so. It will hold a course at 6 or 7 knots with a bit of a breeze and some bumpy water though.
Thom
"Yeah, I guess if somebody's supposed to lose then everybody is supposed to let him" Beaver Cleaver
My AP-12 does 4mph no problemo, the pump works a little hard trying to stay close to course. The boat will stay within 15 degrees, but it does a much better job than I do!
Rough water is the problem...3-5 footers and you going to have problems, down wind only if you lucky. Hummm...just when you need it to work. This is the concensus of the Charter boys up on Lake Ontario. I never bought one for this reason. I have however, watched them not work!
"Never enough time to do it right; ALWAYS enough time to do it over." Boston Whaler, "MUMBLER", 24' Outrage (1996), twin 175 HP Evinrude Ocean Pros. Snowball, the cat...
If I forward idle both engines, my AP11 works fine. Speed about 4 knots. If I shut down one engine and forward idle the other, AP11 cannot keep up with the constant turning force to one side and eventually quits (Couple of beeps and the FAIL message).
Location: Quebec, Canada and Pirates Cove, OBX, NC
Posts: 17,813
trolling slow with auto pilot
How well your auto-pilot works is 20% auto-pilot and 80% your expectations.
On a previous 24 footer I installed an auto-pilot. Remembering that the auto-pilot reacts to changes in its position (you and I steer in anticipation of waves and wind etc.) you have to expect that your auto-pilot will not steer an absolutely line. You will zig and zag.
First, find out the auto-pilots limitation, mine was four foot or higher waves at 45 degrees to the bow. Therefore I only used the auto-pilot in less adverse conditions.
Have realistic expectations and you will have lots more fun!
Gil-
If you are single engine trolling with your AP11
be sure that you start in standby, then cut one engine, trim the boat, and then go into to auto.
If your not doing this already it should help.
Works great on my cat at trolling speeds. I haven't tried it with only one engine. It does work harder at slow speeds but the hull desigh helps keep the boat from wandering while trolling.
I can't remember how slow the boat trolls with both engines on though.
Great little unit for the money.
Joe
You are right, cranenMH, that helps a lot. However, if you just cut one engine while in Auto, she tries but can't keep up.
Have you tried trimming the low speed gain to improve the response?? I was going to bump that up a bit to see if it helps.
Gil-
the autotrim that the processor has built up gets thrown out the window when you cut the engine. That is why you want to bring the boat to trim before engaging into auto. The pilot will use the proper trim as reference for the new autotrim.
What I've seen when trolling with our AP-12 is that it will do just fine until one wave hits us just right and turns the boat about 90 degrees, and then its all over but the shouting. In a sense the same thing is true when I first turn it on, I've got to be at least pointing the the right general direction for it to take over. On smooth water its no problem though, and I guess that was my real point.
Its sort of interesting really. The auto pilot is a great device, but in fact it suffers from many of the same limitations that you and I do. That is to say that anytime that it would be hard for a person to hold a course it will be for the auto pilot as well. I tend to sit at the wheel when trolling myself but I hit the red button to let the AP take over when we get bit or I walk back to act like I know what I'm doing, then I return before the truth finds its way out ....
Thom
"The amount S&P 500 corporations owe to their employee's retirement benefits plans for which they have set aside no funds: $458,000,000,000"
I troll for walleyes on lake erie and the top speed for that is 3 mph I just wonder if it will work at all. I use drift socks to slow the boat down. Also I have a single inboard. I know it wonk work in the ruff stuff and if it is like that I will be steering. I just want it for calm days when It gets terribly boaring sitting at the helm. I just want to be able th leave the helm while I troll my depth/fishfinder is at the helm So I will not leave the helm for long periods of time. Thanks Thomas
Thomas,
I don't know first hand about the Simrad unit but I use a Raymarine 5500 series for Erie trolling and it works well. You may get more applicable answers on the Great Lakes Angler message board or on Walleye Central.
Good Luck,
Steve
Works fine when below 3ft seas at 2mph. When it gets over 3ft. the boat gets to far off course to correct. When trolling at higher speeds 5mph and up it works fine in any conditions you want to fish in.
trolling slow with auto pilot 
This is the concensus of the Charter boys up on Lake Ontario. I never bought one for this reason. I have however, watched them not work! 
"Never enough time to do it right; ALWAYS enough time to do it over." Boston Whaler, "MUMBLER", 24' Outrage (1996), twin 175 HP Evinrude Ocean Pros. 
Snowball, the cat... 
Therefore I only used the auto-pilot in less adverse conditions. 
