I was curious if anyone has installed an autopilot in the 302, and if so, what and where did you install it? I am considering installing one as part of my current refit, but there isn't a lot of room down below.
302 Autopilot
- Thread starter Mackaroni
- Start date
Mack - I've got a wheel pilot installed. Works relatively well. My 302 is a bit tender in the gusts, and that gives the pilot some issues, but I'd usually rather be driving by hand in those conditions anyway. In light-medium air and motoring its great.
I think you could fit a below deck pilot under the aft starboard helm seat section.
I think you could fit a below deck pilot under the aft starboard helm seat section.
Agreed, do the wheel pilot unless you think you'll be in some prolonged serious conditions that you'd need the extra power of the below deck mounted autopilot. We have a wheel pilot on our 35' boat and it works well up to a point. When the waves start building over 3-4' and things start getting sloppy, it begins to struggle but we're probably due for a new belt. In those conditions, I prefer to hand steer anyway unless we're on a passage, then I dream of an undermount AP.
Thanks for the replies. I dream of an undermount too, but I don't know how I would mount it. It's pretty tight under there as you well know.