researching a B361 Oceanic 2001

[luken7]

Having owned a 2002 361 for 10 years and putting 7,000 miles under the hull, I can say the boat performed very well under all conditions. Just as a suggestion: upgrade the wheel autopilot from the raymarine st4000 to an inboard autopilot

We also have a 361, year 2000 with the ST4000 autopilot. It's a challenge, what do you recommend for the below deck autopilot?

 

[Philip_Oceanis 361]

We also have a 361, year 2000 with the ST4000 autopilot. It's a challenge, what do you recommend for the below deck autopilot?

I have replaced my st4000 with type ray marine 1 linear drive (sx10). Very powerful unit.

 

[luken7]

I have replaced my st4000 with type ray marine 1 linear drive (sx10). Very powerful unit.

Thanks, I'll look into that one

 

[MuddyPaws]

Thanks, I'll look into that one

I owned an ex-charter boat B361 (yr2000) for three winters in the Caribbean.
Sailed her up and down the island chain (often solo) from Tortola to Trinidad twice and she was one very well behaved girl !!! She had a lot of prior use and showed almost 5000 hrs on the Yanmar 27hp.
I sailed several 20+hr crossing, one with white water rolling across the decks all night and she never let me down. Definitely get the linear drive below deck auto helm. Forget the wheel pilot if you plan on sailing with big seas and wave action. The Raymarine AP was able to steer in all but the biggest seas (12-14' with 30kts). Some of the standing rig did need replacing when I bought her, due to the salt environment its whole life and you don't want a rig failure - EVER. I had a mast come down on me 20 yrs ago and I remember it like it was yesterday.
You will fail before the deck to hull joint fails. IMO.