Considering adding an auto pilot to my Catalina 310 and wanted to know if this was a good unit. Sure seems easy to install. Thanks and Fairwinds! Skipper Ken S/V "Juliet
Anyone use a SIMRAD WP-32 Wheel Pilot?
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Have one on my...
Lancer 27. I had some problems with the installation but they were resolved by Simrad. Seems to work fine but I could not get the fluxgate compass to calibrate. I haven't noticed any issues with the autopilot due to the uncalibrated compass. I have my Garmin 12XL handheld connected to the WP32. Other than what I've stated, it was easy to install, wire-up, and is easy to operate. Keeps the boat on a good track. If I get another boat that does not have autopilot, I'd purchase another WP32.
Lancer 27. I had some problems with the installation but they were resolved by Simrad. Seems to work fine but I could not get the fluxgate compass to calibrate. I haven't noticed any issues with the autopilot due to the uncalibrated compass. I have my Garmin 12XL handheld connected to the WP32. Other than what I've stated, it was easy to install, wire-up, and is easy to operate. Keeps the boat on a good track. If I get another boat that does not have autopilot, I'd purchase another WP32.
wp30
I have probably one of the last wp30's sold and it works great on my Newport30. I was amased last spring when we launched the boat and I was sailing back to my marina, just pointed it in the direction and set it and that was that. Yes I'd get the wp32 if I got another boat.
I have probably one of the last wp30's sold and it works great on my Newport30. I was amased last spring when we launched the boat and I was sailing back to my marina, just pointed it in the direction and set it and that was that. Yes I'd get the wp32 if I got another boat.
Won't fit a 310...
Ken, I tried to go that route but the instrument cluster does not allow the WP30/32 to fit a 310 pedestal. I must say having the display with the Raymarine is a HUGE benefit over the WP30 I had on my last boat. Also Simrad tech support advised against lowering my instrument cluster to make room for the WP32. They said I had a very high chance of the built in compass not working correctly due to all the ferrous metal and electrical wire in the engine instrument cluster. I've been happy with my Raymarine unit so far..
Ken, I tried to go that route but the instrument cluster does not allow the WP30/32 to fit a 310 pedestal. I must say having the display with the Raymarine is a HUGE benefit over the WP30 I had on my last boat. Also Simrad tech support advised against lowering my instrument cluster to make room for the WP32. They said I had a very high chance of the built in compass not working correctly due to all the ferrous metal and electrical wire in the engine instrument cluster. I've been happy with my Raymarine unit so far..
Just installed one.
Posted the same question on this forum a couple of months ago. Response was positive so I ordered one (Defender), carried it down here and installed it. It fits our 1983 Catalina 30 perfectly as someone indicated. We leave the boat in the water and wanted to be able to remove the unit for storage. It slips right off for that purpose after loosening a couple of screws. Took boat out, performed flawlessly first time. Easy installation. We paid heed to sailors on different forums on customer service between Simrad and Raymarine. Seems to be a great difference. Contact Simrad as to your particular situation/boat.
Posted the same question on this forum a couple of months ago. Response was positive so I ordered one (Defender), carried it down here and installed it. It fits our 1983 Catalina 30 perfectly as someone indicated. We leave the boat in the water and wanted to be able to remove the unit for storage. It slips right off for that purpose after loosening a couple of screws. Took boat out, performed flawlessly first time. Easy installation. We paid heed to sailors on different forums on customer service between Simrad and Raymarine. Seems to be a great difference. Contact Simrad as to your particular situation/boat.
Works good
Installed on a hunter 31 8 mo ago and seams to work fine. We have the wired remote and has been a help when single handed sailing. The movements seam to be just a little jerky over the Ray we had long ago. Easy and connects to my Garmin 187 I like it and no need for tech support yet. LJK
Installed on a hunter 31 8 mo ago and seams to work fine. We have the wired remote and has been a help when single handed sailing. The movements seam to be just a little jerky over the Ray we had long ago. Easy and connects to my Garmin 187 I like it and no need for tech support yet. LJK
I could have moved mine..
But even Simrad would not guarantee the built in compass would work. Sure it was a pain in the ass to install a Raymarine display, compass, rudder sensor & drive unit but it works perfectly and has not given me one iota of a problem in over 4k nm's. Ken if you buy the Raymarine and need to install the rudder sensor see the pics at the link below it should make it quite easy. All that's needed is a short piece of 1 inch stainless tube (a canvas shop should have a scrap piece), two 1 inch 90 degree stainless stanchion fittings (with set screws) and some scraps of Starboard. It's best sometimes to not over think it! They are the first four pictures in that gallery enjoy and good luck with the AP. http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/boat_projects
But even Simrad would not guarantee the built in compass would work. Sure it was a pain in the ass to install a Raymarine display, compass, rudder sensor & drive unit but it works perfectly and has not given me one iota of a problem in over 4k nm's. Ken if you buy the Raymarine and need to install the rudder sensor see the pics at the link below it should make it quite easy. All that's needed is a short piece of 1 inch stainless tube (a canvas shop should have a scrap piece), two 1 inch 90 degree stainless stanchion fittings (with set screws) and some scraps of Starboard. It's best sometimes to not over think it! They are the first four pictures in that gallery enjoy and good luck with the AP. http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/boat_projects
Love my WP-30
Works great and yes, easy to install. Use mine with both chart plotter and wind instrument. Great unit, easy to use out of the box when using the built in compass heading feature, takes a little more to get use to when using with the wind instrument and the chart plotter.
Works great and yes, easy to install. Use mine with both chart plotter and wind instrument. Great unit, easy to use out of the box when using the built in compass heading feature, takes a little more to get use to when using with the wind instrument and the chart plotter.
Simrad autopilot with wind instrument ...
I planned on replacing my broken Kenyon wind instrument with a Simrad wind instrument on our Starwind 27. If I install the Simrad WP-32, will it work off the wind instrument without the Simrad speed instrument? I have perfectly working Datamarine depth and speed instruments that I would prefer not to change out.
I planned on replacing my broken Kenyon wind instrument with a Simrad wind instrument on our Starwind 27. If I install the Simrad WP-32, will it work off the wind instrument without the Simrad speed instrument? I have perfectly working Datamarine depth and speed instruments that I would prefer not to change out.
works with wind.
I have the WP-32 and love it! Easy install!!!! Yes it will work with any windvang but if you have Simrad, you just plug it into the simnet hookup and you are rocking and rolling! You can see mine at http:\hunter_27.home.att.net
I have the WP-32 and love it! Easy install!!!! Yes it will work with any windvang but if you have Simrad, you just plug it into the simnet hookup and you are rocking and rolling! You can see mine at http:\hunter_27.home.att.net
One hitch...
Great unit, love mine even though my 37.5 pushes the limit of it's capability. One hitch: Apparently Simrad is no longer selling replacement belts for these units. And, with use it will wear and need replacement. Search the archvies, as this and other WP-32/Simrad issues have been discussed extensively through the years. There is also a work-around for the belt issue, but before you buy you might question Simrad directly. They should not sell a product where they will not sell replacement parts. I assume you can still send it to them for repair, but that's time consuming, more money and not always an option if you cruising and the problem arises. That's what happened to me, and I fixed it after they overnighted the belt to me. I probably would not go with the Simrad unit again, because of this complication.
Great unit, love mine even though my 37.5 pushes the limit of it's capability. One hitch: Apparently Simrad is no longer selling replacement belts for these units. And, with use it will wear and need replacement. Search the archvies, as this and other WP-32/Simrad issues have been discussed extensively through the years. There is also a work-around for the belt issue, but before you buy you might question Simrad directly. They should not sell a product where they will not sell replacement parts. I assume you can still send it to them for repair, but that's time consuming, more money and not always an option if you cruising and the problem arises. That's what happened to me, and I fixed it after they overnighted the belt to me. I probably would not go with the Simrad unit again, because of this complication.
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