Auto Pilot for 43 legend?

[Henry]

Is there anybody out there who could share,How to install below deck auto pilot for 43 Legend '91 model?my email hendrex01@aol.com I appreciate your assistance and thank you,Henry

 

[Paul Cossman]

Hunter 43 autopilot

I have a 1991 Hunter P42, which I believe is the same hull as your boat. I have an Autohelm 7000 autopilot which I believe could be installed on your quadrant steering system. I have never installed such a system from scratch, and couldn't tell you whether or not to hire a professional to do so. BUT let me suggest to you that you should make sure the final system installation ensures that your autopilot motor is protected from salt water. The simplest installation of the Autohelm ST7000 would have the motor driver located in the very bottom of the lazarette, after cutting out a small access hole from under the aft part of the bunk. As with the P42, you may have some salt water finding its way into your lazarettes. If so, you will want to cover the autopilot motor and protect it from this seawater. I built a little teak housing around my autopilot motor (after it seized up after 25,000 miles of cruising, and had to be replaced).I really like the Autohelm ST7000, and recommend it for cruising. There was another boat I cruised with that was a 1991 Legend 43 named "Windigo," and she also had the same autopilot, and also liked it. She cruised from North America to New Zealand with unit, before we lost touch. Good luck with your unit.

 

[Rex Noel]

How did they do the 43

Paul,Do you know how they did the 43 you cruised with? Your 42 Passage is the same hull, but has a completely different cabin and locker layout. The issue on the 43 is where to locate the unit and how to connect to the steering gear. My dealer suspects major fiberglass work is required. It won't go like your 42. If you could remember the installation on the 43, we would be very interested. Thanks.

 

[Paul Cossman]

Sorry, Rex

I never did examine the installation of the autopilot motor on the Legend 43. Sorry about that. I just figured that since the hulls were identical, the quadrant area was similar. The Autohelm motor is a straight arm, and bolts right into the quadrant itself. My motor is then mounted directly lateral to the attachment. My lazarette just has a cutout where the motor is mounted to one of the struts in the hull there.Sorry I don't have any more info.

 

[Mickey McHugh]

Rotary vs Linear Drive

Check if your steering column in the console allows for installing a rotary drive motor. I installed a type 2 long linear drive in my port cockpit locker connected to the after part of the quadrant via a bracket I had made. Then, I found out I could have easily installed a rotary drive since the steering column already had the bracket AND bolts, so all I would have had to do was bolt it on and install a spocket for the chain on the forward end of the steering shaft.BTW, save $300 on the control head and use the ST6000+ instead of the 7000. It only has an extra button and larger display, but it cost more and takes up more room. Be sure to get the Type 2 drive and not a type 1.I did all the install myself and I added the Gyro Plus Yaw rate transducer which really helped control Yaga during a Gulf of Mexico crossing last week when we had 15' following seas. The Autohelm performed flawlessly over 4 straight days of very heavy weather.