auto pilot

Bad Obsession · Jul 19, 2011

Spend as much money as you can afford on an autopilot. Get the nicest unit you can afford. You won't regret it as it is an invaluable crew member. I have a Raymarine S1 (unit just before the X5) and works great. I have quite a few hours on it and 5 seasons of use.

RAD · Jul 19, 2011

Before Friday think about where your going to mount the computer,control and compass.....my compass is mounted in the bilge forward of my mast just below the the floor and works well there on your boat I think you could do the same and the computer could go under the aft bed and you'll be able to route the wiring to the electric panel....the older units needed a rudder sensor which made the installation a bitch and took a lot of time....probably where to install the control is gonna be the hardest, maybe next to the engine panel? I'd do this last and if it gets to the point where you run out of time you could just let it hang out by its wire on the seat and still use it when done unplug it roll up the wire till you figure out where to put it.
I mounted a piece of hardwood right below the top of my pedestal guard and it looks and works great there also this was the best piece of equipment installed on the boat according to my wife she loves it and I just did a trip and I love it too

stephen Penny · Jul 19, 2011

Recommend Raymarine SmartPilot X5. Very cost effective and great operability. That is what I installed on my Hunter 31.

Manny · Jul 19, 2011

not much to installing the X-5. Like Rad said start planning ahead of time. There's only four pieces to install - the computer, display, the wheel drive, and the compass. The wheel drive is very easy to install but you need to remove your wheel first. Also make sure there is enough clearance for the shift and throttle levers on the pedestal once the drive is in place. I had to cut my levers down since I couldn't reposition them. The compass has to be as far a possible from any iron/magnets as possible. Also down low and close to the centerline... As I posted before running the cable took the longest, especially through the pedestal. Also I didn't have a place to ground the computer so I ran a cable to the battery negative post (per instructions). So far so good, no interference motoring or sailing. The out of the box settings were pretty good for a start. I haven't had to tweak anything yet.

Stu Jackson · Jul 20, 2011

Location of control head: Reply #1 - http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5445.0.html

Also read the link in that post.

You may save yourself a LOT of time and effort if you avoid putting the control head on your binnacle.

Just another one of my heretical ideas. I hate being stuck behind the wheel and with a good autopilot, there's little reason to be there, and if you are, the autopilot should be OFF.

zeehag · Jul 21, 2011

geeez--behind my wheel is a wonderfully comfy sofa so helmsperson has comfort, not discomfort......is a pleasant place.

Bad Obsession · Jul 22, 2011

I posted a topic on the install of a S1 Raymarine Autopilot. The X5 should be easier considering that there is no rudder sensor. The pain of my install was installing the rudder sensor. That took some boat modifications.

My computer sits right by my nav station in my quarter berth. I made a bracket for the display to be put on my pedestal guard.

One other tricky thing is running the wires through the pedestal. There isn't much room in a Catalina 30.