I have a 2001 340. The auto pilot is a bit long in the tooth. It functions well in very minor wind conditions however it Does not function as well and in open ocean or Heavier wind conditions. I’ve made adjustments and replaced the belt. I would like to replace it. Preferably, I would like to replace it with one that is not on the wheel. Is there an another option.? I’ve seen varied answers in the forums.
Auto Pilot 2001 340
- Thread starter Sand-Ra-Jean
- Start date
I changed from a wheel pilot to a below deck type 1 linear drive - no regrets. Linear drive gets connected to a tiller attached to the rudder post. Whether it can be done on your boat depends on how much room you have in the lazarette.
Sand,
I looked into this fairly extensively in the past. I have a 2000 Hunter 340 and have had the same problem you note, namely that the wheelpilot works only in mild wind conditions and then can't turn the wheel over in anything much above 12-15kts. I've also had the wheelpilot shred its gears a few times trying to fight confused seas, but that doesn't seem to be a big problem for most others.
Anyway I've looked into how to install a below decks pilot on a 340 and I believe the only thing that would work is a Raymarine linear pilot, but not without serious surgery to the floor of my cockpit where the steering quadrant is located. Basically it would require cutting into the floor, installing a watertight "boot" (like what is around a manual stick shift in a car) and allowing the part of the linear drive to stick into the aft stateroom. Long story short, I haven't done this simply because it seems like way too much work and way too much modification for an improvement on the wheelpilot. The 340 unfortunately is too big to effectively use a wheelpilot but not large enough to allow a below decks unit to added effectively.
Boats are all about compromises right?
Take care,
-Levin
I looked into this fairly extensively in the past. I have a 2000 Hunter 340 and have had the same problem you note, namely that the wheelpilot works only in mild wind conditions and then can't turn the wheel over in anything much above 12-15kts. I've also had the wheelpilot shred its gears a few times trying to fight confused seas, but that doesn't seem to be a big problem for most others.
Anyway I've looked into how to install a below decks pilot on a 340 and I believe the only thing that would work is a Raymarine linear pilot, but not without serious surgery to the floor of my cockpit where the steering quadrant is located. Basically it would require cutting into the floor, installing a watertight "boot" (like what is around a manual stick shift in a car) and allowing the part of the linear drive to stick into the aft stateroom. Long story short, I haven't done this simply because it seems like way too much work and way too much modification for an improvement on the wheelpilot. The 340 unfortunately is too big to effectively use a wheelpilot but not large enough to allow a below decks unit to added effectively.
Boats are all about compromises right?
Take care,
-Levin
