Autopilot Advice

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John Mavrovich

I'm in the market to purchase an autopilot (wheel - not tiller) for my Catalina 30 for coastal cruising and inshore sailing. I'm looking for as much input as I can get on which models have performed well for other sailors. Which functions are useful or not. Does anyone have experience with the Navico Wheelpilots 100 or 300CX? These totally self-contained units look attractive. Thanks in advance. John S/V Malida
 
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Mike

Autohelm

I've had all autohelm stuff 3000(on a 38,4000(on a 28) and a new 4000+ on my C-38 and it works great.. I sail solo most of the time and use it(sam) a lot. Auto tack is very useful. I have it interfaced to the wind inst and Garmin 230..you sail off the wind or to a waypoint. Also it acts as a repeater for the info from the GPS you set the menu up how ever you like it. Before buying this 4000+ in June I looked at the Navico and they just were not as compact and nice looking to me, the only neg thing about them from people that have them was that they are loud?? So I just think it's a chevy vs. ford kinda thing.. Mike
 
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Craig Cody

Autohelm

I had an Autohelm 3000 on my C30, and my present C36 came with a 4000. I have been very happy with the performance of both, and am in the process of interfacing the 4000 with my Garmin GPS, Radar and CO nav program. I find the Autohelm compactness a real plus, and the quality seems very good.
 
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Bob Robeson

Autopilot

The more I sail the more I find out how much the electronics can help you enjoy a cruise, single handed sailing, racing etc the more important my electronics. Because of the way the Raytheon Autohelm interfaces with CPS, and wind and speed insturments, it seems to be the best way to go, plus there compact size reliability and serviceability. Good luck. Bob
 
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Ernie A

So far, Autohelm 5-Others 0

Hi, John-- Bob R. gives the best reason for Autohelm instruments -- simple interconectivity. I would only suggest you stay with whatever you already have installed - unless you are upgrading to all new then think Autohelm. Like systems like eachother. Autohelm/Raytheon offers a terrific proprietary "plug-'n-Play" system (SeaTalk) that anyone can install themselves. The best is that all the instruments talk to each other when pluged into the daisy-chain. For example, the autopilot can keep the heading at 35 deg to the changing wind. Adding an Autohelm GPS to the Autohelm autopilot not only takes you to the waypoint while self-correcting for cross-track error, but when the waypoint is reached it beeps to ask you if it can change course to the next waypoint! I installed an Autohelm ST4000 myself on a previous boat. Easy to install. Easy to hook up. Great to use. Added the Autohelm GPS. As it comes together, the system is truely greater than the sum of the parts. Enjoy. Ernie April WindCatcher
 
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