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Posted

Just sea trialed my new Garmin GHC20 auto pilot with Platinum Marine

 

Very pleased with it today, we are going fishing sunday to give it a proper test.

 

Fitted by myself was not too hard, even if access was a bit tight and matching hydraulics between garmin and volvo was a bit of a pain.

 

Plenty of advice and a good price from Platinum at the London boat show. Together with a good sea trial this afternoon. Ryan just took over driving the boat and did it all.

 

Very pleased

 

Cannot wait for Sunday

Posted

Had that once with a couple of Lowrance units chosen to fit in my last boat

 

Bought these after seeing them at a London show, but had to wait months for the first to arrive in UK.

 

How long will you have to wait Mal. Is there an option to fit a differant size pump?

Posted

I am looking at the Lowrance to match my plotter Chris at Platinum Marine did all my work a few years ago very good I had Raymarine on the last boat so I think he will supply and fit this one

 

graham

Posted

Best present ever Charlie, just think all the long trips will be a joy and give you a chance to push lots of buttons while sitting there.

I'd be lost without mine best present to self ever! ;)

 

Agree 100% with that statement

Posted

Graham just a note, I was doing the same, looking for an autopilot to match my Lowrance kit, till I noticed they all use nmea communications, so they are all compatible.

The lowrance auto pilot without an expensive extra only works through the screen which is not ideal in an emergency. The other kits have a control on the dash. I would make in depth investigations before you by.

Posted

hi Mal

i quite agree my last one was on it's own but with this one you can set up the screen so you have it up the time you are using it so you can have plotter , autopilot , fish finder all on the one screen then change back to what ever you what when you have done with it

 

graham

Posted

Totally agree with Chris auto pilots are great, you arrive feeling more relaxed with more energy to put into other stuff like fishing. I run mine on auto (set fixed direction) or tracking almost all the time. Obviously still need to keep a good lookout.

Posted

Thanks guys

 

Looking forward to more relaxing cruising to and from marks or destinations

 

This Garmin one is very smart, simple to use and came with the compass unit that was simple to set up yesterday

 

All linked by plugs and nmea2000.

 

Only wiring I had to conect was the positive and negative to the circuit breaker and busbar. Plus two wires for the shadow drive and two for the audible buzzer.

 

4 inch screen doesnt take up much room either.

Posted

 simple to set up yesterday

 

All linked by plugs and nmea2000.

 

Only wiring I had to conect was the positive and negative to the circuit breaker and busbar. Plus two wires for the shadow drive and two for the audible buzzer.

 

4 inch screen doesnt take up much room either.

You lost me Charlie......

Posted

Hi

am I right in thinking I would have screen up when using the autopilot with plotter then change to other preset screens when done with ??

so autopilot controls are at hand at all times while being used

graham

Posted

Terrific sea trial today

 

We set off early to head 15 miles offshore

 

As soon as I set the way point into my garmin plotter and pushed engage for the pilot off we went.

 

The unit has a shadowdrive which means all that is neaded to take control is to move the wheel. The hydraulic flow in the system overides the pilot untill movements stops. Made it easy to avoid the pot buoys at Old Harry. Re engage saw us take a direct line to the mark.

 

These units learn as they go so in fairly calm conditions it learned quickly and the track was good. 7nhours later when we set back the sea state had picked up. Initialy the track weaved, but within a couple of miles it was straighter than any of manage to keep the boat in such weather.

 

Think that I am going to enjoy the benifits of fitting this new toy. Although it did seem strange to be sat in the helm seat just keepin a good lookout ahead and chatting to the crew.

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