6 Best Sailboat Autopilot Systems

By Matt Claiborne

The purpose of an autopilot is to steer the boat so you don’t have to. Steering a boat is like steering a car–every bend and curve in even a straight road will set the vehicle on a new course.

6 Best Sailboat Autopilot Systems

01.

Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot

02.

Raymarine ST2000 Plus Tiller Pilot

03.

Raymarine Pilot EV-400 Autopilot

6 Best Sailboat Autopilot Systems

04.

Garmin Reactor 40 Corepack

05.

B&G NAC-3 Core Pack and Compass

06.

Furuno NAVPILOT300

Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot

01.

The TP10 is an entry-level, easy-to-use autopilot built for boats with tillers up to 32 feet long. It mounts simply in the cockpit and has easy controls. Best of all, it’s waterproof.

Raymarine ST2000 Plus Tiller Pilot

02.

Raymarine makes a similar line of tiller pilots. This model, A12005, is for vessels weighing up to 10,000 pounds.

Raymarine Pilot EV-400 Autopilot (No Drive Included)

03.

For below-deck mounted systems, Raymarine makes two levels of the computer system–the EV-200 or EV-400. This is the 400, which is big boat approved and will drive their largest Type 3 mechanical or hydraulic drives.

Garmin Reactor 40 Corepack for Mechanical or Retrofit Autopilots

04.

Garmin autopilot systems are based around the Reactor 40 “core pack.” Unfortunately, most of Garmin’s autopilot kits available online are designed for modern boats or those with hydraulic steerings systems.

B&G (Simrad) NAC-3 Core Pack and Compass

05.

You can couple this with any type of drive unit. All controls for the autopilot are accomplished through the B&G Zeus or Vulcan multi-function display. If you want a dedicated control panel, they sell that as well. 

Furuno NAVPILOT300

06.

This is an all-in-one solution that requires fewer parts. You’ll still need a drive unit and a heading sensor to make a complete system.