SmartPilot S1000

[Electronics Guru]

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Raymarine has released an autopilot that’s both affordable and well-suited to trailer boats because it has no wires, or plugs.

Years ago it was difficult matching autopilots to trailer boats because they were basically designed for bigger, slower boats.
Raymarine certainly changed the situation with the introduction of the Sport Pilot, which was designed for fast trailer boats. However, now this innovative marine electrics company has come out with an even better unit for trailer boats and small, fast cruisers up to eight metres length.
The SmartPilot S1000 is a compact, clever autopilot system that requires no wires and no plugs. In fact, the S1000 is perfectly suited to small boats because just about any owner with basic handyman skills can fit the unit themselves.
Affordably pitched at the market for a RRP of $1,829 the SmartPilot is specifically designed to provide reliable and convenient autopilot control for small boats.
Outfitting a boat with the SmartPilot is dead easy; simply install the S1000 course computer and hydraulic pump.
Just about everything you need to install is included in the SmartPilot S1000 box, including fittings, hoses and tools. And best of all, it comes with an excellent how-to video that really gives you a step-by-step guide to fitting it yourself.
A key feature of the S1000 Autopilot system is the wireless control. This enables you to work the autopilot from a handheld cordless unit that you can hook onto your belt.
You get wireless control up to 9.7m (32ft) from the base station. It also gives you smooth course changes regardless of boat speed. Other benefits include automatic steering of fishing patterns and intuitive, menu driven interface.
One of the big drawbacks is that the system is geared only to hydraulic steering systems. However, given most medium-to-larger trailer boats now come fitted with hydraulic systems as standard, it’s not such a problem.
Certainly the SmartPilot S1000 is a valuable weapon in the hunt for fish. It allows you to set the trolling speed control, and automatically steer in a figure-eight, cloverleaf or zigzag pattern. This way you get maximum coverage of your favourite fishing grounds.

NAVIGATION

Select a waypoint destination on your chartplotter and let the S1000 navigate your course. Since it works off both NMEA 0183 and SeaTalk systems the S1000 can easily interface to a long list of fixed mount and handheld GPS devices.
Meanwhile, the easy-to-read digital display provides autopilot status and wireless signal strength. An intuitive menu structure makes operation and calibration easy.
Raymarine SmartSteer technology eliminates the need for remotely mounted rudder feedback and compass sensors assemblies.
Thanks to SmartSteer technology the S1000 controls the proportional rate of turn relative to vessel speed, ensuring smooth and accurate helm control at both trolling and cruising speeds.
Other benefits include being able to use the output of your SeaTalk or NMEA 0183 GPS, the S100 will steer to a single waypoint, or follow an entire route point-to-point.
Using a centre point from your GPS, you can command the S1000 to maintain an orbit around your favourite fishing hotspot. You can also make repeated passes over a central point. The S1000 will keep you on station while you hunt for the big ones.
And finally you can fish down a line of bearing with the S1000’s zigzag pattern. The random course changes make your bait look more realistic and tempting.
With all these benefits one can expect a lot more trailer boaters to take the smart pilot approach this summer.