Hello every one, I am thinking about putting a Auto Pilot on my C&C 35 mk III. Does anyone have a preference. On my old C&C 32 I had a older model Raymarine, which worked ok, but every once in a while glitched. I have been looking at a Simrad and was wondering if it was better than the Raymarine? Thanks in advance for any help. Larry Jordan S/V Valor.
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I have a Simrad WP30. It's a good wheel pilot, compatible with my chartplotter but also has a tendency to hickup on occasion (about 2% of the time in use). It does have a hard time holding heading when sailing downwind if you have any sort of sea state. But does well the remainder of the time. I have no experience with the Raymarine so I cannot compare the two.
Archives
Morning Larry: There are 600 some odd items in the archives about auto pilots in the archives. There are pros and cons about Simrad and Raymarine and just about all of them are listed. You might want to check them out before dropping the bucks. Luck with your decision.
Morning Larry: There are 600 some odd items in the archives about auto pilots in the archives. There are pros and cons about Simrad and Raymarine and just about all of them are listed. You might want to check them out before dropping the bucks. Luck with your decision.
Raymarine ST4000
Larry, I have a Catalina 30 with the Raymarine ST4000+ MkII. It's good. It's not great, but it does a pretty good job. I just got a rudder reference transducer that is supposed to dramatically improve the autopilot performance, so I'll hopfully be able to bridge the gap from "good" to "fantastic". Even without the rudder reference I still think I got a great deal. It was around $800, which is about 1/3 the cost of most below-deck systems. Assuming the rudder reference improves performance, it'll be an even better value. Good Luck, Allen Schweitzer s/v Falstaff C-30 Hull #632
Larry, I have a Catalina 30 with the Raymarine ST4000+ MkII. It's good. It's not great, but it does a pretty good job. I just got a rudder reference transducer that is supposed to dramatically improve the autopilot performance, so I'll hopfully be able to bridge the gap from "good" to "fantastic". Even without the rudder reference I still think I got a great deal. It was around $800, which is about 1/3 the cost of most below-deck systems. Assuming the rudder reference improves performance, it'll be an even better value. Good Luck, Allen Schweitzer s/v Falstaff C-30 Hull #632
Simrad WP30
Just to add my .02, I have a Simrad WP30 and I love it. I singlehand a lot so it's like another crewmember for me. As stated before the performance downwind is marginal, but otherwise I wouldn't want to be without it. The new model is a WP32 which is very similar. Look around and some palces are offering the remote free with the purchase. Fair winds to you.
Just to add my .02, I have a Simrad WP30 and I love it. I singlehand a lot so it's like another crewmember for me. As stated before the performance downwind is marginal, but otherwise I wouldn't want to be without it. The new model is a WP32 which is very similar. Look around and some palces are offering the remote free with the purchase. Fair winds to you.
Allen - let us know how the rudder senor works
I have the ST4000+ which is OK once I got the response settings set right for my boat, however it is not great particulary downwind and in complicated wave patterns (waves coming from different directions). It does not know when the rudder is centred and so is just trying to maintain a compass direction which is no doubt swinging all over in these conditions. A rudder position sensor should help. Let us know how it works, difficulty in installing and cost.
I have the ST4000+ which is OK once I got the response settings set right for my boat, however it is not great particulary downwind and in complicated wave patterns (waves coming from different directions). It does not know when the rudder is centred and so is just trying to maintain a compass direction which is no doubt swinging all over in these conditions. A rudder position sensor should help. Let us know how it works, difficulty in installing and cost.
Brains for a Coursesetter 21???
My course setter 21 works sometimes. The drive unit works fine using the remote control. Is there any way to replace the "brains" and not replace the entire system??? I think that the compass needs to be replaced but it is an old unit and I hate to invest in old technology. New brains that use GPS or a fluxgate compass would be better. Tom
My course setter 21 works sometimes. The drive unit works fine using the remote control. Is there any way to replace the "brains" and not replace the entire system??? I think that the compass needs to be replaced but it is an old unit and I hate to invest in old technology. New brains that use GPS or a fluxgate compass would be better. Tom
I went with Simrad
I had to make the same decision about a year ago and I went with the Simrad Wp30. The main reason is that it was a simple bolt on the wheel installation. I am happy with my Simrad BUT I know not to ask too much of this unit. When it gets windy or when I am running down wind it is not much help. It is real nice to have both hands free when I am sailing with a good looking babe. Rodger
I had to make the same decision about a year ago and I went with the Simrad Wp30. The main reason is that it was a simple bolt on the wheel installation. I am happy with my Simrad BUT I know not to ask too much of this unit. When it gets windy or when I am running down wind it is not much help. It is real nice to have both hands free when I am sailing with a good looking babe. Rodger
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