What does a marine autopilot system do?

A marine autopilot automatically maintains your boat’s heading or course, reducing steering fatigue and improving navigation accuracy. It’s especially useful for long trips, offshore runs, and precise course holding.

Can an autopilot be installed on any type of boat?

Yes, autopilot systems can be installed on most powerboats and sailboats. We select the correct system based on steering type, displacement, engine configuration, and intended use.

Why is proper autopilot calibration so important?

Calibration ensures the autopilot responds accurately to sea conditions, speed changes, and steering input. Proper setup prevents course wandering, overcorrection, and unnecessary strain on steering components.

What is included in autopilot installation service?

Installation includes mounting the control unit, heading sensor, drive unit, and display, integrating with GPS or chartplotter, and testing all connections to ensure safe and reliable operation.

Can the autopilot integrate with my existing navigation electronics?

Usually. Most current autopilots connect over NMEA 2000 or NMEA 0183 and use heading, GPS and wind data from other instruments. Mixing brands can limit features, such as controlling the autopilot from another brand's chartplotter, so we check compatibility with your equipment before you buy.

Do you test the autopilot on the water after installation?

Absolutely. Sea trials are a critical part of calibration. We fine-tune the system under real operating conditions to ensure accurate steering response and smooth course tracking.

Can installing an autopilot improve fuel efficiency?

It can help a little. A properly calibrated autopilot holds a steady course with fewer steering corrections, which can save some fuel on long runs and gives a smoother ride.

Breeze Marine technician interacting with a touchscreen autopilot control head at the helm

Breeze Marine technician interacting with a touchscreen autopilot control head at the helm (2)

Marine Autopilot Installation & Calibration

Steering for hours is exhausting. We install advanced autopilot systems that act as an "extra crew member." From hydraulic autopilot pump installation to the final sea trial calibration, we set the autopilot up so your boat holds a steady course in normal conditions.

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$150 /hr

Labor estimate Usually 4–8 hours

Book sends us a ticket; nothing is charged online. Before any work you get a written estimate for labor, parts and the trip fee, and nothing is done without your OK.

Trip fee By distance, one way: $30 in San Pedro, $50 in Long Beach

San Pedro$30
Wilmington, Terminal Island$40
Long Beach: Shoreline, Rainbow Harbor$50
Long Beach Marina, Alamitos Bay$60
Redondo Beach$60
Seal Beach, Huntington Harbour$75
Marina del Rey$85
Newport Beach$110

Farther away: $25 plus $2.50 a mile, one way from our San Pedro shop. No trip fee when the boat comes to our shop, or for plan members. The work of a visit is at least $150; the trip fee is on top.

Registered in California: Breeze Marine Boat Service LLC, San Pedro
Where we work: At your slip from Marina del Rey to Newport Beach, or in our San Pedro shop
Questions first: (213) 693-0224 or submit a ticket

About this service

Course Control

The Virtual
Crew Member.

Hand-steering for hours across the channel is exhausting. Our marine autopilot installation covers advanced systems that hold a steady heading, so you can focus on navigation, fishing and keeping a good lookout.

Solid-State Sensing

Modern autopilots use 9-axis solid-state sensors (like the Garmin Reactor or Raymarine EV-1) to detect boat movement in 3D. They react to waves quickly and correct the rudder as the bow starts to swing off course.

Hydraulic Integration

For a hydraulic steering autopilot, we plumb the autopilot pump directly into your existing SeaStar or U-Flex hydraulic lines. The pump sits out of sight below decks and moves the steering when the autopilot is engaged.

Route Following

Once connected to your chartplotter via NMEA 2000, the autopilot can follow complex routes, zig-zag patterns for fishing, or simply steer to a waypoint at the touch of a button.

Installation Protocol.

Precise plumbing and magnetic isolation.

Pump Splicing

We cut into the hydraulic steering lines, install T-fittings, and mount the electric autopilot pump securely to avoid vibration noise.

Sensor Placement

The Heading Sensor (Compass) is critical. We check your boat to mount the heading sensor low and center, far away from speakers, magnets, or high-current wires.

Bleed & Purge

We bleed the hydraulic lines until no air is left. Air bubbles cause "spongy" steering and autopilot wandering.

Sea Trial

We take the boat out to perform the "Auto-Learn" procedure. The computer learns the boat's turning radius and reaction time for smooth steering.

Hands-Free Control.

Steady steering on long runs.

Autopilot control head installed at the boat helm

Autopilot hydraulic pump installed under the helm

Mounting the autopilot heading sensor level in the console

Supported Platforms.

Autopilots we install.

Garmin Reactor 40 Series

Raymarine EV-100 / EV-150 / EV-200

Simrad NAC-2 / NAC-3 Computers

Common Questions

Will it weave back and forth?

Usually only when it is not calibrated well. The "snake" pattern happens when the pilot over-steers. Our autopilot calibration during the sea trial tunes the "Gain" and "Counter-Rudder" settings to stop this behavior in normal conditions.

I have cable steering. Can I get one?

Yes, but a cable steering autopilot requires a different drive unit (Linear Drive or Rotary Drive) rather than a hydraulic pump. We check your helm and steering and quote the right drive.

Take a Break from the Wheel.

Get a quote for an autopilot.

Quote Autopilot Install

Matching the Autopilot Drive Unit to Your Steering

The autopilot drive unit is the part that physically moves the steering, so it is chosen to suit the helm, the steering cylinder and the size of the boat. Hydraulic systems take a pump teed into the steering lines, while mechanical cable steering needs a linear or mechanical drive.

We plan the drive, course computer and heading sensor together as one marine electronics installation, so power cables, NMEA 2000 connections and the chartplotter work as a single system.