Helm drive autopilot

[jerridsc]

I have an octopus helm drive on my cable steered outboard motor. (I’m all in on my outboard powered Albin25). What would be the simplest, least expensive way to get the octopus motor driven helm to just hold a compass heading? I will be navigating with an iPad pro with external GPS.

[motthediesel]

I don't know how "techie" you are, but you might want to have a look at this open-source auto-pilot control system. https://pypilot.org/

I took a long hard look at it for our A-27, where I was also going to use an Octopus helm. At the end of the day though I chickened-out and just got a Raymarine Evolution wheel pilot. We're happy with our choice, but I'm a little ashamed that I'm not confident enough in my abilities to DIY it.

[tribologist]

You can output nav data from the ipad over wifi and then convert it to wired NMEA 0183 with an interface and from there you can use any old course computer. I did that for a while using iNavX on iPad to an old Sport pilot. I looked at the pypilot…. Thats a lot of work. I have a NAC-1 laying around i would sell you but you need a AP-44 or similar to be able to control it.

[tribologist]

https://www.simrad-yachting.com/b077fa8 ... b5b26a14b0. This show some compatibility charts. A used Simrad go is not to bad. I use the 7 inch ess evo3 that defender had covid sales on before they figured that demand were going up…