Auot-helm

[B. Black]

I need a little help . I’d like to put an auto-pilot on my Hunter 240 (with tiller) and wonder if someone out there has some experience/advice. I’m thinking of using the “Autohelm series ST 1000plus/ 2000 plus as I have some experience with it but am not set on that idea. My concerns are mounting to the tiller (drilling a hole in the tiller) and the distance of the “reach” for that device, assuring that it can fully push the helm over. Thought I’d anchor the unit to the deck back by the “mooring cleat” going through the deck into a block of wood affixed to the underside in the aft area near the exit hose for the bilge pump. There is a level spot across the cock pit from the goose neck of the tiller handle to the deck (starboard side) and that’s where I’d like to go with this idea. Also putting in instrumentation MD 100 (knot / depth) unless there is something in the price range that’s better.

 

[Sean Coerse]

autopilot

I'm looking at the same unit. I was told that the location of the outboard could be a factor in where to mount the unit as it needs to be a certain distance so as not to be effected by the electric current generated from it and the alternator. I'm not sure which side of the boat other 240 owners are mounting them. If someone has photo's of this installation it would be nice to see on the photo forum.

 

[Ron Fraboni]

Autopilot Mounting

Last year I mounted a Navico autopilot on my H26 and followed the advice of another Hunter 26 owner in England. We mounted the "pin" which holds the back of the unit on the floor or sole of the cockpit - just in front of the step/ladder area which is above the battery area on a 26. There is a reinforced area there that worked perfectly and the electrical connection is on the side of the cockpit near the back. The rod gets connected to the tiller just as it starts to bend upward. This may sound a bit weird, but it worked beautifully for the 26. Contact me if you need more info since it took me a while to understand when I first heard it. Phone 612-925-9327 or e-mail at Frabonimn@aol.comBy the way, I got good price on the Navico unit from Defender Industries - they have a web site. Good luck.

 

[Joe R]

Navaco

I had the dealer mount the navco to my 240. It works great and has been the best addition to the boat that I have been lucky enough to get.I can sail solo, or with in-experienced crew and really enjoy the boat.the auto helm is anchored into a brass plate embeded into the seat. The arm connects to a nipple on an arm attached below the tiller arm at the suggested distance from the axis of the rudder.It works great, but does not quite have full throw. In extreme situations it's easy to temporarily, but quickly release from the "nipple" for full throw.

 

[Ken Shubert]

Can Do!

The first thing that I did was to have the post and cup threaded so I could use 'real' nuts and bolts. Mounting things with glue seems a little risky to me. A couple of SS hose-clamps and a standard Stanley corner brace will mount the post to the tiller with no drilling and allows for lots of adjustment. It works well but I'll probably drill and tap the tiller now. If you don't use the swim ladder, that would be the ideal side to mount it because it's a little crowded even with my 5hp Tohatsu on the motor side. IT's not too likely that you'll use the autopilot and swim ladder at the same time. Just keep the thing as level and as perpendicular to center line as possible. The OBM is very close and doesn't cause any compass problems when running and coupling to the Garmin GPS works great too.KenS/V Wouff Hong