Si-Tex SP-80L Linear Drive AutoPilot

jcrootbeer · Post by **jcrootbeer** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 6:34 am

The 33 I boat a few months back came with a Si-Tex SP-80 Auto Pilot. At first, I noticed the heading it was displaying was not the same as my actual heading. But it did hold the course it was on. After settling in and it's new home, I took it out and reset the compass on the unit. I followed the instructions to a T and I got a perfect reading, matching the true heading on my compass and GPS. I then set the pilot to a course for the shark tourny last weekend. Started off great. Read correctly, steered correctly for about 30 minutes....then everything went wacky. Reading no longer matched the GPS and compass, etc. Now, I can't even get it to hold the course...the difference in degrees varies by the second. Anyone operate this unit, or have heard of similar stories?

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 8:14 am

I find on my Simrad that the autopilot compensates for wind and current so to get the course over ground to match the actual heding does not usually happen but the end result is a direct path to my destination.

Capt. Ed · Post by **Capt. Ed** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 7:36 am

Tim, Does your A/P kickout or lose signal at all? Mine does every now and then.