Thinking about installing one. Principal use would be for keeping the boat into the wind while raising and lowering sails. Need recommendations. Hopefully it would be easy to install also. Thanks, Joan
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Alan Claunch
Autohelm 4000 ST
I installed an Autohelm 4000 ST 2 1/2 years ago. It works well and I have had no problems with it (I have a 28.5). Installation was straight forward. I would certainly recommend it as a very worthwhile upgrade. Alan
I installed an Autohelm 4000 ST 2 1/2 years ago. It works well and I have had no problems with it (I have a 28.5). Installation was straight forward. I would certainly recommend it as a very worthwhile upgrade. Alan
There is really only one!
Joan: There is really only one that is easy to install and that is the Simrad/Navico units. They are also less expensive than the Autohelm units. Mount the unit on the wheel/pedestal and run the cable down the pedestal. Hook up 2-6 wires and you are done. This is probably a 2-4 hour installation depending on your electrical skills.
Joan: There is really only one that is easy to install and that is the Simrad/Navico units. They are also less expensive than the Autohelm units. Mount the unit on the wheel/pedestal and run the cable down the pedestal. Hook up 2-6 wires and you are done. This is probably a 2-4 hour installation depending on your electrical skills.
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Mickey Goodman
Autopilots
Hi Joan: I just installed a Simrad wheelpilot in my boat. It was a WP30SX (I think). I also installed previously an Autohelm 3000 in the same boat. Both installations were "easy" for me since I have a little bit of mechanical aptitude. Of the two autopilots, which either would work on your boat, I like the Simrad pilot the best. It is not hard to install and it is a stronger autopilot than either the Autohelm 3000 or the Autohelm 4000 . I did a lot of research on the autopilots before I settled on the Simrad. Speaking to the Ray Marine people (they make the Autohelm series) they told me that there is not much difference is the size boats the 3000 or 4000 units will work on. My boat is a 37'. The 3000 was to small for my boat. When i was on a close reach doing anywhere over 6 knots the belt on the 3000 would slip and not hold its' course. Buts thats on my boat which weights much more than your boat. By the way the Autohelm 3000 and 4000 are wheel pilots as is the Simrad unit. All three units require running wires to the control panel and will also interface with other NEMA instruments. The Simrad WP30CX unit has been advertised by Defender for $700.00 which would include a "free" remote directly from Simrad. Thats a great price! Sorry I didn't get in on it when I spent $700.00 for a new unit through Ebay. Call Defender and see is that special is still available. One of the keys you should use is to get an autopilot is is rated for a boat at is at least 25% heavier than your boat. You want a strong unit for extreme situations. I know the Simrad is rated for a boat around 40' long. Good Luck, Mickey
Hi Joan: I just installed a Simrad wheelpilot in my boat. It was a WP30SX (I think). I also installed previously an Autohelm 3000 in the same boat. Both installations were "easy" for me since I have a little bit of mechanical aptitude. Of the two autopilots, which either would work on your boat, I like the Simrad pilot the best. It is not hard to install and it is a stronger autopilot than either the Autohelm 3000 or the Autohelm 4000 . I did a lot of research on the autopilots before I settled on the Simrad. Speaking to the Ray Marine people (they make the Autohelm series) they told me that there is not much difference is the size boats the 3000 or 4000 units will work on. My boat is a 37'. The 3000 was to small for my boat. When i was on a close reach doing anywhere over 6 knots the belt on the 3000 would slip and not hold its' course. Buts thats on my boat which weights much more than your boat. By the way the Autohelm 3000 and 4000 are wheel pilots as is the Simrad unit. All three units require running wires to the control panel and will also interface with other NEMA instruments. The Simrad WP30CX unit has been advertised by Defender for $700.00 which would include a "free" remote directly from Simrad. Thats a great price! Sorry I didn't get in on it when I spent $700.00 for a new unit through Ebay. Call Defender and see is that special is still available. One of the keys you should use is to get an autopilot is is rated for a boat at is at least 25% heavier than your boat. You want a strong unit for extreme situations. I know the Simrad is rated for a boat around 40' long. Good Luck, Mickey
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Tim Schaaf
Thoughts on the 3000
An advantage of the 3000 is that it is easier to repair or to swap out parts.I carry two identical units, so I am backed up if any part fails. As Mickey said, it would be strong enough for your boat. Mine has handled an H33 in the booming Pacific, for years. Belts are easy to replace (I have broken one in fifteen years), and you can even get the little motor and replace that. By the way, the motors in all of these wheel mounted pilots is REALLY small! The real key is to get everything aligned exactly right, and this may not be easy. It will probably take as long as the entire rest of the installation to do it RIGHT. The belts can slip, although if the tension is set correctly, it is unlikely to happen. A friend of mine did an interesting thing...he took one belt, and glued it to the rim that you fit to the steering wheel. He did it so that the teeth faced outward. That way, they meshed with the teeth on the belt, and presto, no more slipping. I do agree that the Simrad is a much easier install, however,is well priced and is a newer design. Forgive me for putting in a plug for an old reliable friend! If you should run into one at a good price, it will do much more for you than hold the bow into the wind.
An advantage of the 3000 is that it is easier to repair or to swap out parts.I carry two identical units, so I am backed up if any part fails. As Mickey said, it would be strong enough for your boat. Mine has handled an H33 in the booming Pacific, for years. Belts are easy to replace (I have broken one in fifteen years), and you can even get the little motor and replace that. By the way, the motors in all of these wheel mounted pilots is REALLY small! The real key is to get everything aligned exactly right, and this may not be easy. It will probably take as long as the entire rest of the installation to do it RIGHT. The belts can slip, although if the tension is set correctly, it is unlikely to happen. A friend of mine did an interesting thing...he took one belt, and glued it to the rim that you fit to the steering wheel. He did it so that the teeth faced outward. That way, they meshed with the teeth on the belt, and presto, no more slipping. I do agree that the Simrad is a much easier install, however,is well priced and is a newer design. Forgive me for putting in a plug for an old reliable friend! If you should run into one at a good price, it will do much more for you than hold the bow into the wind.
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Dakota Jim Russell
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Scott
Simrad WP30
Installed the WP30 unit just before our trip to the Bahamas. It worked fantastic. Really saved wear and tear on the crew. Wired in a connection to our hand held GPS (as well as gps-dsc vhf) at the same time. Worked well in most all situations, tracking to compass (inbuilt) or to GPS. Only thing I did not like was the surface rust showing up on the rods used to mount the unit. I would also like to find a 8 pin sealable plug/socket so I could remove the unit when away from the boat. Scott 83-H34-188 Island Hops
Installed the WP30 unit just before our trip to the Bahamas. It worked fantastic. Really saved wear and tear on the crew. Wired in a connection to our hand held GPS (as well as gps-dsc vhf) at the same time. Worked well in most all situations, tracking to compass (inbuilt) or to GPS. Only thing I did not like was the surface rust showing up on the rods used to mount the unit. I would also like to find a 8 pin sealable plug/socket so I could remove the unit when away from the boat. Scott 83-H34-188 Island Hops
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Perry
Simrad WP30
I just installed a Simrad WP30 connected it to my Garmin 162. A better marriage is not available! Besides from www.defenderonline.com the Simrad is less expensive than that other brand. BTW the WP30 will steer to wind with the relative wind unit connected. Sold separately.
I just installed a Simrad WP30 connected it to my Garmin 162. A better marriage is not available! Besides from www.defenderonline.com the Simrad is less expensive than that other brand. BTW the WP30 will steer to wind with the relative wind unit connected. Sold separately.
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Phillip Coker
Autohelm SP 5000
Just finished installation of the SailPilot 5000 in my 29.5 under the deck just behind the wheel. Chose the remote drive unit because I remove the wheel for more cockpit space when at anchor and did not want to risk damage to the wheel-mounted drive. Hope to take it out for initial calibration tomorrow or Sunday but it all looked good on initial start-up last weekend. It was not a quick and easy installation but also not beyond the average weekend mechanic's ability. It is a tight fit. At $2200 base price plus another $400 for the tiller arm and rudder post insert, it wasn't exactly cheap. But it is independent of the wheel and the emergency tiller steering, is compatable with seatalk and nmea, and can move the rudder faster than I can with the wheel. I think that I will be happy with it.
Just finished installation of the SailPilot 5000 in my 29.5 under the deck just behind the wheel. Chose the remote drive unit because I remove the wheel for more cockpit space when at anchor and did not want to risk damage to the wheel-mounted drive. Hope to take it out for initial calibration tomorrow or Sunday but it all looked good on initial start-up last weekend. It was not a quick and easy installation but also not beyond the average weekend mechanic's ability. It is a tight fit. At $2200 base price plus another $400 for the tiller arm and rudder post insert, it wasn't exactly cheap. But it is independent of the wheel and the emergency tiller steering, is compatable with seatalk and nmea, and can move the rudder faster than I can with the wheel. I think that I will be happy with it.
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