I own 1987 37' Legend. I am looking to purchase a wheel pilot. Can anyone please recommend a brand and advise me if wheel pilots work well on this size boat. thank you!
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Steve Carpman
ST-6000
I have owned a 1991 Hunter 37.5 for two years now. I beleive our boats are very comparable. The previous owner installed a ST-6000 auto pilot. The drive mechanism is installed in the port lazarette with a solid connection onto the sector gear that is attached to the rudder post. Needless to say, the ST-6000 works like a champ. We have been out in high winds with large imbalances on the rudder,and the ST-6000 has never failed us. If I ever had to replace the auto pilot, I would buy a unit comparable to the ST-6000, even though they cost substantially more than the pedestal mounted units.
I have owned a 1991 Hunter 37.5 for two years now. I beleive our boats are very comparable. The previous owner installed a ST-6000 auto pilot. The drive mechanism is installed in the port lazarette with a solid connection onto the sector gear that is attached to the rudder post. Needless to say, the ST-6000 works like a champ. We have been out in high winds with large imbalances on the rudder,and the ST-6000 has never failed us. If I ever had to replace the auto pilot, I would buy a unit comparable to the ST-6000, even though they cost substantially more than the pedestal mounted units.
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scott wilson
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chris
SIMRAD
I had a st 4000 on my 27. I just put a simrad wp 30 on my H 34 and I love it. It ws easy to install myself, cheap, reliable so far, and the remote control is great ( reaches to the anchor) I would get another one. I only do local coastal cruising though. Chris
I had a st 4000 on my 27. I just put a simrad wp 30 on my H 34 and I love it. It ws easy to install myself, cheap, reliable so far, and the remote control is great ( reaches to the anchor) I would get another one. I only do local coastal cruising though. Chris
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Steve Zito
1994 37.5
Steve, I have a 1994 37.5 and have an Autohelm ST4000 (I think). It's the one rated for up to 16,000 lbs. Our boats weigh just a tad over that. Mine works well when motoring, of course. When sailing, it works well in wind vane mode, but is very sensitive to sail trim, and I'm not. It will dance around a bit, and in heavy air, just about forget it. Don't know if one rated for larger boat would have done better. Steve
Steve, I have a 1994 37.5 and have an Autohelm ST4000 (I think). It's the one rated for up to 16,000 lbs. Our boats weigh just a tad over that. Mine works well when motoring, of course. When sailing, it works well in wind vane mode, but is very sensitive to sail trim, and I'm not. It will dance around a bit, and in heavy air, just about forget it. Don't know if one rated for larger boat would have done better. Steve
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R. Young
1987 Hunter 37 Autopilot
I have a 1987 H37 and installed the Simrad (formerly Navico) WP30 autopilot. Installation is simple, no problems installing with the standard pedestal and it works fine. It is at the upper limit of its capacity so it may cycle off if under a strain, but for most cruising it does the job Roger Hunter 37 "Destiny"
I have a 1987 H37 and installed the Simrad (formerly Navico) WP30 autopilot. Installation is simple, no problems installing with the standard pedestal and it works fine. It is at the upper limit of its capacity so it may cycle off if under a strain, but for most cruising it does the job Roger Hunter 37 "Destiny"
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Augie Byllott
Which autopilot?
The conditions you find most uncomfortable for hand steering are the same conditions that tax the autopilot. You don't want it to crap out when you need it most. That said, one would be well advised to avoid the most common mistake made by those who purchase autopilots. That is installing one with an advertised maximum limit that is close to the displacement of the boat. Advertising claims being what they are, and reading comments on various boards, it's a fair guess that the ratings are based on optimum sailing conditions -- the kind one is unlikely to be experiencing when the help of the autopilot is needed most. When you've decided on the size of the unit you think will do the job, move up to the next size. It's much better, and safer, too, to be relying on a unit that is loafing rather than one that is consistently operating at, or beyond, its designed limit. Mechanical breakdowns are directly related to the amount and duration of strain involved. There may come a time when you wish you had gone for the bigger one.
The conditions you find most uncomfortable for hand steering are the same conditions that tax the autopilot. You don't want it to crap out when you need it most. That said, one would be well advised to avoid the most common mistake made by those who purchase autopilots. That is installing one with an advertised maximum limit that is close to the displacement of the boat. Advertising claims being what they are, and reading comments on various boards, it's a fair guess that the ratings are based on optimum sailing conditions -- the kind one is unlikely to be experiencing when the help of the autopilot is needed most. When you've decided on the size of the unit you think will do the job, move up to the next size. It's much better, and safer, too, to be relying on a unit that is loafing rather than one that is consistently operating at, or beyond, its designed limit. Mechanical breakdowns are directly related to the amount and duration of strain involved. There may come a time when you wish you had gone for the bigger one.
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