Top boat autopilot systems will assist skippers and captains in operating a vessel on the water.
There are a number of top small boat autopilot systems to choose from with each designed with its own unique strengths.
The best autopilots for small boats are:
- Best For Small Motorboats: Garmin Compact Reactor40 Autopilot
- Best For Small Sailboats: Raymarine EV-100 Wheel Pilot Pack
- Best For Both Inboard & Outboard Boats: Furuno Navpilot 711C
- Best For Tiller Steered Boats: Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot
Great marine autopilot systems are capable of adapting to changing marine conditions and responding appropriately to maintain a steady course.
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1. Garmin Compact Reactor40 Autopilot
The first best marine autopilot is the Garmin Compact Reactor40 Autopilot. The Garmin Compact Reactor40 Autopilot is manufactured by the brand Garmin in Taiwan and sold worldwide. We rate this autopilot system 9.9/10. This is the best autopilot for small motorboats.
The Garmin Compact Reactor40 Autopilot is designed for motorboats less than 30ft. with a single-engine outboard motor of 20 horsepower or less.
Most retailers price the Garmin Compact Reactor40 Autopilot between $2,000 to $2,400. The Garmin Compact Reactor40 Autopilot comes with a limited 1-year warranty which ensures the autopilot will be free from defects in materials or workmanship.
To use the Garmin Compact Reactor40 Autopilot, a minimum 10v power supply is required.
The installation time of the Garmin Compact Reactor40 Autopilot System is between 15 and 25 minutes from start to finish.
The Garmin Compact Reactor40 Autopilot System can be used in winds up to 20 knots.
With winds over 10 knots, using the remote control to adjust the autopilot throttle settings helps maintain the heading, minimize heading error and keep the boat on course.
The Garmin Compact Reactor40 Autopilot System can operate in temperatures from 5°F to 158°F.
The Garmin Compact Reactor40 Autopilot System package includes a 9-axis attitude and heading reference system, 1 GHC 20 helm control with 4.3" display, 1 NMEA 2000 2 meter drop cable, 1 NMEA 2000 power cable, NMEA 2000 T-connectors, male and female terminators, buzzer, interconnect cable, electronic control unit, ECU power cable, 1.0 L pump, reactor 40 CCU, wall mounts, installation and owner operations manuals and 1 warranty registration booklet.
The Garmin Compact Reactor40 Autopilot System weighs 14.4 pounds. It has a waterproof rating of IPX6. It is black in color.
The benefits of the Garmin Compact Reactor40 Autopilot System are:
- Easily operated remotely: The Garmin Compact Reactor40 Autopilot System can easily be operated by using a remote control to adjust heading and throttle settings without the need to be at the helm
- ISO 9001 certified: The Garmin Compact Reactor40 Autopilot System is ISO 9001 certified which means it meets North American manufacturing and design quality standards
- Fast Installation: This autopilot system can be installed quickly in under 25 minutes
Two disadvantages of the Garmin Compact Reactor40 Autopilot are it is not compatible with motorboats over 30 feet and it will only function on outboard engine motorboats only.
2. Raymarine EV-100 Wheel Pilot Pack
The second best marine autopilot is the Raymarine EV-100 Wheel Pilot Pack. The Raymarine EV-100 Wheel Pilot Pack is manufactured by the brand Raymarine and sold worldwide. We rate this autopilot system 9.8/10. This is the best autopilot for small sailboats.
This Raymarine autopilot system is designed for small sailboats where the sailboat has a maximum displacement of 16,500 pounds and is under 40ft.
Most retailers price the Raymarine Wheel Pilot Pack between $1,750 to $2,000. The Raymarine EV-100 Wheel Pilot Pack autopilot system comes with a limited 2-year warranty with the option of upgrading the warranty period to 3 years free of charge.
To upgrade the warranty to 3 years free of charge, Raymarine EV-100 Wheel Pilot Pack Autopilot System buyers will need to register their product on the Raymarine website.
To use the Raymarine EV-100 Wheel Pilot Pack Autopilot System, a minimum 12v power supply is required.
The installation time of the Raymarine EV-100 Wheel Pilot Pack Autopilot System is between 23 and 33 minutes from start to finish.
The Raymarine EV-100 Wheel Pilot Pack Autopilot System is extremely adaptable. It can be used in winds up to 16 knots with no calibration needed due to the autopilot automatically adapting to the vessel's steering characteristics.
In winds up to 16 knots, the Raymarine EV-100 Wheel Pilot Pack Autopilot System is accurate and able to maintain a precise and accurate course even in harsh marine environments.
The Raymarine EV-100 Wheel Pilot Pack Autopilot System can operate in temperatures from -5°F to 130°F.
The Raymarine EV-100 Wheel Pilot Pack Autopilot System comes in a package that includes 1 EV-100 wheel drive pilot with a clutch engagement mechanism, 1 NMEA2000 marine networks compliant p70s control head device with a 3.5" LED screen, 1 EV1 sensor, 1 ACU-100 drive control unit with 2 screws and a mount, 1 SeaTalk cable kit that includes a 0.4m power cable, 1x 5m SeaTalk backbone cable, 1x 0.4m SeaTalk spur cable, 1x SeaTalk 5-way connector block, 2x SeaTalk t-piece connector and a 2x SeaTalk Terminator. The package also includes installation instruction documentation, warranty registration information, part information and installation tools.
The Raymarine Wheel Pilot Pack Autopilot System weighs 14.5 pounds.
The benefits of the Raymarine EV-100 Wheel Pilot Pack are:
- IPX6 Waterproof: The Raymarine EV-100 Wheel Pilot Pack Autopilot System is rated IPX6 waterproof which means it is waterproof against high-pressure water. This means it can be used both above and below deck
- Fits multiple spoked steering wheels: The Raymarine EV-100 Wheel comes with multiple predrilled holes which allows it to easily be attached to different spoke wheels from 2-spoke to 12-spoke steering wheels
- Easy to use: The Raymarine EV-100 Wheel Pilot Pack autopilot system can be easily installed and the clear instructional booklet makes it simple to use with clear set-up instructions
- Mechanical and hydraulic steering compatible: This autopilot system is compatible with both mechanical and hydraulic steering systems and is not limited to one
One disadvantage of the Raymarine EV-100 Wheel Pilot Pack is it is not compatible with sailboats with a displacement higher than 16,500 pounds.
3. Furuno Navpilot 711C
The third best marine autopilot is the Furuno Navpilot 711C. The Furuno Navpilot 711C is manufactured by the brand Furuno and sold worldwide. We rate this autopilot system 9.7/10.
The Furuno Navpilot 711C is designed for small boats under 35ft.
The Furuno Navpilot 711C works with Yanmar, Yamaha, Seastar and Volvo Penta marine engines.
Most retailers price the Furuno Navpilot 711C between $2,900 to $3,250. The Furuno Navpilot 711C comes with a limited 2-year warranty.
The Furuno Navpilot 711C requires a minimum 12v power supply to operate.
The installation time of the Furuno Navpilot 711C System is between 20 and 30 minutes from start to finish.
The Furuno Navpilot 711C can be used in winds up to 15 knots. The Furuno Navpilot 711C can be adjusted to any sea conditions with 3 sea condition settings available on this autopilot including a calm setting, a moderate setting and a rough setting.
The 3 sea condition settings on the Furuno Navpilot 711C will help the autopilot to operate effectively in various marine weather conditions from calm weather to rougher seas.
These settings help ensure the autopilot can adapt to all marine environments and ensure an accurate course.
The Furuno Navpilot 711C comes with 4 different mode settings which are auto mode, advanced mode, NAV mode and wind mode.
For outboard motors only, there is a Sabiki mode on the Furuno Navpilot 711C that can be toggled on or off which allows the direction to be kept by adjusting the throttle.
The Furuno Navpilot 711C can operate in temperatures from 0°F to 140°F.
The Furuno Navpilot 711C comes in a package that includes a 4.1" LCD display unit, 1 rudder reference unit with 20 meter cable, terminator, 1 processor unit, 15-meter cable between processor unit and controller unit, standard spare parts, installation instructions, 176-page operator's manual and 1 warranty registration booklet.
The Furuno Navpilot 711C is rated IPX5 waterproof which means it is protected from moderate levels of water.
The benefits of the Furuno Navpilot 711C are:
- NMEA2000 certified: The Furuno Navpilot 711C is NMEA2000 certified which means it has been tested to meet specific safety criteria
- Great alarm to keep the captain alerted: The Furuno Navpilot 711C comes with a great alarm that has 8 alerts which are heading deviation alert, cross-track error alert, boat speed alert, depth alert, water temperature alert, wind speed alert, log trip alert and a watch alert
- Works on both inboard and outboard engines: This autopilot system works on both inboard and outboard motors and is not limited to one type of boat motor
- Works both night and day: The colorful and bright 4.1" LED display unit of the Furuno Navpilot 711C allows the autopilot to be operated in both the daytime and nighttime and it is not limited to just daytime boating
- Self-learning algorithm: The Furuno Navpilot 711C comes with a self-learning algorithm that will track & make adjustments to the boat steering characteristics and power application plus it greatly reduces manual helm effort in maneuvering situations
One disadvantage of the Furuno Navpilot 711C is it is expensive with a price tag of between $2,900 to $3,250.
4. Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot
The fourth-best boat autopilot is the Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot. The Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot is manufactured by the brand Simrad and sold worldwide. We rate this autopilot system 9.5/10. This is the best autopilot for small tiller-steered boats.
The Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot is designed for small boats of 32ft or less with a maximum displacement of 8,160 pounds.
Most retailers price the Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot between $600 to $900. The Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot comes with a limited 2-year warranty.
The Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot requires a minimum 12v power supply to operate.
The installation time of the Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot is approximately 15 minutes to complete.
The Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot comes with 5 buttons which are a "left" button, a "right" button, a "tack" button, a "stby auto" button and a "cal" button. It comes with 2 modes which are standard mode and autopilot mode. These modes help the autopilot to adapt to various marine conditions and accurately operate with only minor levels of calibration needed in harsh weather conditions.
The Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot can be used in winds up to 12 knots. It can operate in temperatures from 14°F to 131°F. It operates with a peak thrust of 143 pounds.
The Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot comes in a package that includes the Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot, a 32-page user's manual, a warranty registration booklet and screws.
The Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot is rated IPX5 waterproof which means it is can resist low-pressure seawater spray.
The benefits of the Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot are:
- Fast 15-minute installation time: The installation of this autopilot system takes just 15 minutes to complete
- Built-in auto tack and auto gybe facility: The built-in auto tack and auto gybe facility on the Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot allows for easy tacking and gybing of the vessel when single-handed
- Lightweight: The Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot is a lightweight autopilot weighing just 4.41 pounds
Two disadvantages of the Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot is it will not work on boats over 32ft and the owner's manual is confusing as it includes 3 different Simrad autopilot models in the same manual.
Top Autopilots For Small Boats Comparison Table
What To Consider When Buying A Boat Autopilot
The 5 most important factors to consider when buying a boat autopilot are:
- Ease of use: Ensure the marine autopilot system is easy to use with simple instructions and a clear and simple installation guide to make it as easy as possible
- Price: The price is important when buying a boat autopilot system. A buyer's budget will influence the marine autopilot that will be purchased
- Compatibility: Ensuring the autopilot system can function and operate on your specific boat size and weight is important to ensure the autopilot works correctly
- Reliability: An autopilot system should be reliable and able to operate consistently in a variety of conditions
- Accuracy: The autopilot should be able to maintain a precise and accurate course, even in challenging conditions
Frequently Asked Questions About Top Marine Autopilot Systems
Below are the most commonly asked questions about the top small boat autopilots.
What Are The Best Boat Autopilot Brands?
The best boat autopilot brands are:
- Raymarine
- Garmin
- Furuno
- Simrad
How Much Does The Best Boat Autopilot Cost?
The best boat autopilots costs between $600 and $3,250.
What Is The Cheapest Top Boat Autopilot?
The cheapest top boat autopilot is the Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot which costs between $600 and $900.
What Is The Most Expensive Top Boat Autopilot?
The most expensive top boat autopilot is the Furuno Navpilot 711C which costs between $2,900 and $3,250.