Autohelm fitting on Oceanis 331

[garygee]

Hi folks

Im fitting a autohelm onto a Oceanis 331.
Its a linear drive direct onto the quadrant but I cant work out the best place to mount the linear.
The boat layout is the 3 cabin version.

Does anyone have one fitted, if so where is the linear drive fitted.
All the places i look at dont look any where near strong enough and would be very hard to reinforce.

The drive being fitted is a Lecomble & Schmitt 40ST16 drive, but I guess the mounting point would be no different for a electric linear drive.

Any help would be very much appreciated.

Thanks Gary

 

[Lee Hadjiosif]

Hi folks

Im fitting a autohelm onto a Oceanis 331.
Its a linear drive direct onto the quadrant but I cant work out the best place to mount the linear.
The boat layout is the 3 cabin version.

Does anyone have one fitted, if so where is the linear drive fitted.
All the places i look at dont look any where near strong enough and would be very hard to reinforce.

The drive being fitted is a Lecomble & Schmitt 40ST16 drive, but I guess the mounting point would be no different for a electric linear drive.

Any help would be very much appreciated.

Thanks Gary

Gary, If you contact the Beneteau factory they will send you an installation drawing. Good luck.

 

[Philip_Oceanis 361]

I have a linear drive unit in my B361. If the B331 is similar, then you can reinforce the wood above the opening in the rear port side cabin so the unit is attached over there and pushes the back side of the quadrant. You need some sort of plate on the quadrant. I will try tomorrow post some photos.

Edit: Photos attached

 

[garygee]

Thank you

Thanks for the pics, does help a lot.

The quadrant I have has what looks like a linear drive mounting point (M14, I think) on the front (bow side) of the quarrant. I was going to use this. Didnt consider adding a frame to the back and the rudder shaft doesnt have space to add another arm.

Very interesting that you mounted to the rear bulkhead, I sort of discounted this and was going to glass in a piece of 18mm ply across the rear of the cabin.
See yo have spread the load across the bulkhead, have you had any issues with this bulkhead moving, or has the mounting of the bulk head been reinforced where is mounts to the hull ??

Any other into you can provide would be very helpful, and many thanks for you help.

Regards Gary

 

[Philip_Oceanis 361]

Thanks for the pics, does help a lot.

The quadrant I have has what looks like a linear drive mounting point (M14, I think) on the front (bow side) of the quarrant. I was going to use this. Didnt consider adding a frame to the back and the rudder shaft doesnt have space to add another arm.

Very interesting that you mounted to the rear bulkhead, I sort of discounted this and was going to glass in a piece of 18mm ply across the rear of the cabin.
See yo have spread the load across the bulkhead, have you had any issues with this bulkhead moving, or has the mounting of the bulk head been reinforced where is mounts to the hull ??

Any other into you can provide would be very helpful, and many thanks for you help.

Regards Gary

Gary,
I haven't reinforced the bulkhead. I believe it's strong enough.
Yes the quadrant does have a mounting point at the front but there's no space to place the drive unit.
I contaced Beneteau in France in the past asking for any drawings of a factory fitted below deck autopilot. Unfortunately they don't have any but mentioned that they were adding a plate on the quadrant.
I believe there are more B361 owners in this forum having a below deck autopilot so they may come with some more ideas.

 

[Benjamin Disralei]

Will check out my set up this weekend and send photo's, if this may help.

 

[garygee]

Thanks, more info i can get before i start the better