Auto pilot install - Beneteau Oceanis 350

[Grazie102]

GreetingsI'm currently installing a Raymarine below-decks auto pilot in my Oceanis 350...quite the challenge in a few fronts, namely: tiller arm and space.Tiller arm location: several limitations,- the 10" radius required - the proximity of the scoop stern and cockpit access/storage tot eh rudder stock- proximity of the cokcpit sole and to the quadrantmake the only viable location (that I've found so far) for the tiller arm to be below the quadrant extend aft. Any other suggestions? Tiller arm: for the location mentioned above, the maximuim thickness of the arm is ~1.25" The Edsion and other arms I've seen (that can be machine to a 3.25" required diameter for the rudder stock) are thicker. Any ideas on off-the-shelf or nearly so options here? Other options?Linear Drive location/mounting: despite several attempts at other locations, thus far mounting nearly laterally (somewhat diagonal to athwartships)and going throug the fore/aft bulkhead/sipport seems to be my only option. The only other one that seems viable woulf be along the centerline and extending into the aft stateroom...not really ideal. Any suggestions?An insights from otehr Oceanis 350 owners (or anyone that has faced similar challenges) would be much appreciated. I've seen these boats listed with below-deck piltos so I'm sure it's possible!Thanks in advance.

 

[agaliha]

rudder angle sensor forward

My B361 has a below decks autopilot installed by the factory. The rudder angle sensor is mounted ahead of, not behind the rudder post. This was done because there is not adequate room aft of the rudder post. Then, the red and green wires to the autopilot computer are crossed to put everything back in sync.Good luck with your installation. It's a great improvement to the boat.Agaliha

 

[Grazie102]

thanks

Thanks for the info. Yes, looking like I will also install the sensor in front forward of the rudder stock. DO you know how your linear drive is attached to to rudder stock/quadrant? Independent tiller arm> Directly to quadrant? Cheers,Aidan

 

[agaliha]

direct, I think

I'm pretty sure it is attached directly to the quadrant (on the starboard side of the hull) with the connection aft of the rudder post. Hope that helps. Mine REALLY works well. I use it everytime I take the boat out...sometimes just for a few seconds to go forward and attach the main halyard to the sail, etc. I also bought the handheld remote so that I can steer the boat from the companion way during a storm. It also has a LCD readout for all the other instruments so I use it to look at the windspeed, etc. when I'm down below (away from the instruments).Agaliha

 

[Doug_Meyer]

Upside down I think

It seems to me that when the Raymarine autopilot was installed in my 323 that some of the components are intentionally installed upside down! The hydraulic cylinder is mounted to the transom on the starboard side of the rudder post and acts directly on the quadrant. To compensate for the upside down aspect the wiring to the control box has two leads reversed otherwise, a signal to steer to starboard would result in a turn to port, etc. I have the original instructions for the installation from Beneteau, and thats what they show.