Raytheon ST1000 on H260
Dear Mark, this past winter I installed a Raytheon ST1000 Autohelm ($499, West Marine) on my 2002 H260. To make things even sweeter, I was able to interface the unit with my Garmin 76 GPS ($225, West Marine). The only problem I incurred, with the installation, was that the stock autohelm seems to be designed to be installed with a wooden tiller. As the H260 has a metal tiller, its a little more challenging. I cut my tiller in half (with a pipe cutter) and slipped a wooden block inside the tiller so the tiller pin has better support. I was then able to re-attach the tiller arm so that I can sail the boat with the normal tiller, or remove the extension when the boat is being controlled by the autohelm. The unit itself can be mounted directly to the side of the boat but you need to use a seven (I think) inch extension to the recipricating arm. Both units work wonderful. I have plotted a series on GPS points (called a route) and the GPS streams these points to the autohelm. Up to about 12 knots of wind, my sailing adventures consist of sail trim, entertaining guests and making sure I don't run into anything. Plus my cockpit is empty - no large wheel, no pedistial, no tiller arm swinging in the way, it really works great. I'll be down at the boat this weekend and I'll try to take some pictures and post them. Good luck!