Autopilots
Marine Autopilots
Marine Autopilots from Shotgun Marine with reliable brands such as Simrad autopilots, Raymarine Smartpilot, Garmin, TMQ and Furuno.
A good marine autopilot is one of the best upgrades you can make to a boat. Whether you’re trolling for hours, doing long offshore runs, or cruising the coast, an autopilot takes the strain off the helm and keeps the boat tracking straight when conditions aren’t perfect.
Modern autopilots do a lot more than just hold a heading. When matched properly, they can follow routes, maintain a steady trolling line, and adapt to swell, wind and current without constantly hunting left and right. That means less fatigue, better fuel efficiency, and more time focused on fishing or enjoying the ride.
We work with a wide range of marine autopilot systems to suit different boat sizes, steering setups and boating styles - from small trailer boats through to offshore cruisers and commercial vessels.
- user-friendly systems with smart plotter integration
- adaptive steering suited to offshore and coastal use
- strong offshore performance and serious boating focus
- commercial-grade reliability and heading accuracy
- sailing and performance-focused autopilot systems
- tough Aussie-built options for local conditions
Have a browse below to compare autopilot options based on your boat, steering type and how you actually use the vessel.
Autopilot Supply & Installation
Marine Autopilot FAQs
Do I really need an autopilot on my boat?
If you do long runs, troll regularly, or spend hours at the helm, an autopilot is a game changer. It reduces fatigue, keeps your course steady and makes boating safer and more comfortable — especially in sloppy conditions.
What size autopilot suits my boat?
Autopilot sizing depends on boat size and weight, steering type (hydraulic or mechanical), and how the boat is used. Bigger, heavier boats need higher-capacity drives and more robust heading control.
Do autopilots work well in rough coastal conditions?
Yes -when they’re matched and set up properly. Modern marine autopilots are designed to adapt to changing sea states, swell and current, and steer smoothly without constantly over-correcting.
Is a heading sensor important?
Absolutely. A good heading source makes a big difference to steering accuracy and response. If a boat wanders or feels twitchy on autopilot, heading input is often the issue.
Can autopilots integrate with modern chartplotters?
Most modern autopilots integrate with compatible chartplotters, allowing features like route following, track steering and shared heading data across your electronics.
How long does an autopilot install usually take?
Install time varies depending on steering type, access behind the dash, wiring condition and system complexity. Simple installs are quicker, while full integrations and tidy rewires take longer - but the result is a system that works properly.
An autopilot is a system made use of to regulate continuous 'hands-on' control by a human driver being called for. Autopilots do not change human operators, however instead they aid them in controlling the aircraft. Marine Autopilots were initially the world of Ships or huge Sailing boats, yet today Autopilots for are integral to any kind of effectively furnished vessel. Boat Autopilots take your team to remote angling openings, an Autopilot can track a preset trolling training course, hold your vessel on a pre-set compass training course, or guide your craft with a multipart track through pre-determined waypoints. Watercraft Autopilots maximize all readily available on-board Navigational Instruments as well as environmental sensors. The Very Best Modern pilots today making use of GPS info, need to keep a continuous program despite wind or present effects.
Most autopilot systems contain a number of aspects:
- Pilot Control Console the controlling element of the pilot
- Heading Sensor for GPS Compass with/and/or Price Gyro
- Central Handling System (or Course Computer system on Raymarine units).
- Drive Device the system that is made use of for steering the vessel.
- Tail Sensing unit s the responses device.
- Masthead Wind Sensor made use of on private yachts wind instruments utilized on yachts.
Controling the steering of the vessel in order to keep the vessel on a picked compass heading or a training course to a waypoint that was produced on a graph plotter. Autopilot control heads enable the control and displays. They are offered in wired and also wireless variations. System Packs incorporate a Development sensing unit core with a control head and specific ACU to collaborate with an existing drive system. An option of system loads that incorporate an Advancement sensor core with a control head, ACU and drive unit for particular vessel kinds. Charter, angling, tug, power boat and cruising yacht captains around the globe recognize the integrity of pilots, whether for recreation or business.