How to Install a Marine Pilot on an Aluminum Boat

Marine pilots, often referred to as autopilots, are popular with boaters who like to fish or cruise long distances, as they assist with the steering chores for the person at the helm. Marine pilots allow the helmsman to monitor the sea, his gauges and do other chores such as setting fishing lines without constantly monitoring the compass or GPS to stay on course. Installing a marine pilot in an aluminum boat is a project you can do yourself since most units have only four basic components – a fluxgate compass, a steering control module, a computer module and a control head.

Things You'll Need

  • Drill
  • Sabre saw
  • Wire ties
  • Solderless connector crimpers
  • 1/4-inch stainless steel bolts and nuts
  • Stainless steel metal screws
  • Screwdriver
  • Marker
  • Socket wrench
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Instructions

  1. Fluxgate Compass Installation

    • 1

      Choose a location for the compass based on the following criteria: it should be as close to the waterline of the boat as possible; it must be mounted facing the bow of the boat; it must be located as far as possible from large steel or iron objects such as an inboard engine and it must be located at least 4 feet from radio or stereo speakers.

    • 2

      Hold the compass in place and poke a marker into each mounting hole to make a mark where the pilot holes for the mounting screws should be.

    • 3

      Drill the pilot holes for the mounting screws and install the compass.

    • 4

      Route the wire from the compass to the location you choose for the pilot’s computer.

    Computer Installation

    • 5

      Choose a location for the pilot’s computer based on the following criteria: it must be in an accessible location; it should be an area not subjected to rain or spray and it must be located 3 feet away from any radio transmission antennas or radio or stereo speakers.

    • 6

      Hold the computer in position and mark the places to drill the holes to fasten it securely.

    • 7

      Drill the holes, secure it in place using 1/4-inch stainless steel nuts and bolts.

    Control Head Installation

    • 8

      Choose a location to install the marine pilot control head based on these criteria: it should be easily viewable from the helm and it should be easily reachable by the helmsman.

    • 9

      Draw with a marker the area on the boat’s dashboard you plan to cut out to install the control head.

    • 10

      Check the area behind the location to ensure there are no hidden wires or brackets on the backside that may be damaged.

    • 11

      Cut out the hole in the dashboard using a sabre saw.

    • 12

      Fasten the control head to the dashboard as directed by the installation instructions that come with the unit.

    • 13

      Route the wires from the control head to the pilot’s computer.

    Steering Control Installation

    • 14

      Remove the boat’s steering wheel from its splined steering wheel shaft by removing the wheel’s retaining nut with a socket wrench and pulling the wheel free.

    • 15

      Install the steering control module onto the steering wheel shaft and connect the bracket on the control module to the steering wheel support bulkhead using 1/4-inch stainless steel nuts and bolts.

    • 16

      Install the steering wheel on the splined shaft protruding from the control module and secure it in place by with the retaining nut.

    • 17

      Route the wires from the steering control module to the pilot’s computer.

    Final Connections

    • 18

      Run a 12-gauge positive ground wire from the boat’s battery or electrical panel to the pilot’s computer.

    • 19

      Follow the instruction manual’s procedure for connecting the wires from the compass, electrical system, control and steering modules to the computer. Cut the wires to length and use solderless connectors to attach each to its designated location on the computer.

    • 20

      Use wire ties to bundle the wires and support them in locations where they are unlikely to be damaged.

    • 21

      Follow the instructions in the owner’s manual regarding calibrating the pilot before putting it to use.