This past week I did a little mini cruise on my 1999 340 from Matagorda Bay up to Galveston Bay and back. The cruise was great. However, on the return trip which took about 24 hours off shore, my Autohelm autopilot shredded the belt. Wind was blowing about 15 to 18 knots and we were on a close reach. Sea conditions were 3 to 4 feet with an occasional 6 footer. We were making about 7 knots over the water against a 2 knot current. My boat has about 650 nm on it--most of those miles have involved use of the auto pilot. Upon reaching Matagorda Bay, I took the autopilot apart and examined the belt. The belt has steel bands imbedded in the rubber material. In several places the rubber material had been completely peeled off and all that was holding the belt together were the steel bands. My question is whether this belt should have shredded given the conditions we were in, and does it sound like weather helm caused the problem or is it possible the unit has a defect? By the way, I had the luckiest fishing ever on an offshore trip. With a single lure offshore between Galveston and Freeport, I caught 3 kingfish, 1 blackfin tuna, 1 dorado(very delicious) and 1 baby blue marlin.
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What Model # on Autopilot
I've got a 4000 Autohelm on my 340 and I'm under the impression that is a gear drive. Therefore, I'm curious what you have. It may help others provide you help, too.
I've got a 4000 Autohelm on my 340 and I'm under the impression that is a gear drive. Therefore, I'm curious what you have. It may help others provide you help, too.
clarification: belt drive
There is a metal gear that is turned by the motor which is contained in the cylindrical tube on the backside of the auto pilot. The metal gear turns a belt that then turns the wheel.
There is a metal gear that is turned by the motor which is contained in the cylindrical tube on the backside of the auto pilot. The metal gear turns a belt that then turns the wheel.
Rough Conditions, But..
..not something that should shred the belt. I have been in similar many hours with my 4000 on a V32 which I think has a similar displacement and can develop a challenging helm when reaching in a blow and steep seas. Autohelm has top sevice in my opinion and I would certainly have them look it over at the factory. I have about 400 hours on my drive unit and have serviced it twice and had it repaired once for an out of adjustment drive. RD
..not something that should shred the belt. I have been in similar many hours with my 4000 on a V32 which I think has a similar displacement and can develop a challenging helm when reaching in a blow and steep seas. Autohelm has top sevice in my opinion and I would certainly have them look it over at the factory. I have about 400 hours on my drive unit and have serviced it twice and had it repaired once for an out of adjustment drive. RD
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