I am going to install an autopilot and third winch on my Hunter 320. I am going to go with the Raytheon Autohelm 4000 autopilot and the Lewmar-30 two speed winch. Does anybody have a better suggestion in refference to make, and any hints on instalation. Thanks, Dave Bryant
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Bob La Salle
Consider Simrad autopilot
I installed a Simrad WP10 Wheel Pilot on my Hunter 31. Works flawlessly, best improvement I have ever done. Bought it at the AC Boat Show about 2 years ago for around $700. Probably can get it for $600 or less now. Took about 2 hours to install (by my wife and me), including mounting the unit at the wheel, wiring and circuit breaker. They also make a WP30 which is an upgrade from mine because it interfaces with your GPS/NMEA instruments. Remote control also available if desired. Nice clean appearance, waterproof design, easy to use, no maintenance required. No drilling or cutting required.
I installed a Simrad WP10 Wheel Pilot on my Hunter 31. Works flawlessly, best improvement I have ever done. Bought it at the AC Boat Show about 2 years ago for around $700. Probably can get it for $600 or less now. Took about 2 hours to install (by my wife and me), including mounting the unit at the wheel, wiring and circuit breaker. They also make a WP30 which is an upgrade from mine because it interfaces with your GPS/NMEA instruments. Remote control also available if desired. Nice clean appearance, waterproof design, easy to use, no maintenance required. No drilling or cutting required.
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Jay Eaton
Simrad Autopilot & Consoles
The Simrad autopilots were designed for tubular pedestals. They probably will not fit between the wheel and the console without modification to the steerer (longer wheel shaft) and to the autopilot - Simrad has a modification kit. I am looking into such modifications and their cost for my H380. I received this information from Simrad repair station in Seattle.
The Simrad autopilots were designed for tubular pedestals. They probably will not fit between the wheel and the console without modification to the steerer (longer wheel shaft) and to the autopilot - Simrad has a modification kit. I am looking into such modifications and their cost for my H380. I received this information from Simrad repair station in Seattle.
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Carl and Juliana Dupre
Simrad and H340
Hi, David. We spent quite a bit of time at the Newport show looking at autopilots for our H340; Autohelm 4000 and Simrad WP30. We concluded that the Simrad was the more powerful unit; but did a lot of measurements and concluded that it just wouldn't fit with the large steering console on the 340 (also the 320). Installing a longer wheel shaft would do it, but that didn't look all that straightforward to do. Jay: we would like to hear more about Simrad modifications to fit the console. They advertise a "flush mount kit" that replaces the steering column mounting clamp, but that doesn't solve the console interference issues with both the control pad and the drive motor. To mount the Autohelm 4000 you still need to cut a hole in the console for the drive motor, but it looks fairly simple; they even offer a hole pattern and sealing kit. The Simrad interference issues appear a lot worse; you would really have to slice-and-dice the console to get it to fit. If you have information on additional modifications for a Simrad unit to fit the 320/340/380-type console, we would very much like to hear about it. We still feel that the Simrad is the better unit, but how to make it fit!! Thanks. Carl and Jule s/v 'Syzygy'
Hi, David. We spent quite a bit of time at the Newport show looking at autopilots for our H340; Autohelm 4000 and Simrad WP30. We concluded that the Simrad was the more powerful unit; but did a lot of measurements and concluded that it just wouldn't fit with the large steering console on the 340 (also the 320). Installing a longer wheel shaft would do it, but that didn't look all that straightforward to do. Jay: we would like to hear more about Simrad modifications to fit the console. They advertise a "flush mount kit" that replaces the steering column mounting clamp, but that doesn't solve the console interference issues with both the control pad and the drive motor. To mount the Autohelm 4000 you still need to cut a hole in the console for the drive motor, but it looks fairly simple; they even offer a hole pattern and sealing kit. The Simrad interference issues appear a lot worse; you would really have to slice-and-dice the console to get it to fit. If you have information on additional modifications for a Simrad unit to fit the 320/340/380-type console, we would very much like to hear about it. We still feel that the Simrad is the better unit, but how to make it fit!! Thanks. Carl and Jule s/v 'Syzygy'
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Jay Eaton
Checking out Wheel Shaft
This weekend I will check out the wheel shaft on our H380 to determine how difficult it will be to move or replace. I did find out the Simrad mod kit, WPFK1, sells at $150 from Simrad. More on Monday.
This weekend I will check out the wheel shaft on our H380 to determine how difficult it will be to move or replace. I did find out the Simrad mod kit, WPFK1, sells at $150 from Simrad. More on Monday.
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David Bryant
Simrad WP10
The Simrad WP10 sounds like just what I am looking for. Bob or anyone: there seems to be a problem installing the WP30 on Hunter 320s, might need a modification. Did you have ths same problem with the WP10? Also, did the wheel move aft with the instalation, not much room to sit between the wheel and seat. Dave
The Simrad WP10 sounds like just what I am looking for. Bob or anyone: there seems to be a problem installing the WP30 on Hunter 320s, might need a modification. Did you have ths same problem with the WP10? Also, did the wheel move aft with the instalation, not much room to sit between the wheel and seat. Dave
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Bob La Salle
No, Dave, installed without a problem...
...on my 1985 Hunter 31, and no, I didn't have to move the wheel aft or make any other modifications. It just installed between the wheel and the pedestal with plenty of clearance. I can't speak for the 320. What I can do is fax or e-mail my installation instructions to you so you can check clearances and measurements on your boat.
...on my 1985 Hunter 31, and no, I didn't have to move the wheel aft or make any other modifications. It just installed between the wheel and the pedestal with plenty of clearance. I can't speak for the 320. What I can do is fax or e-mail my installation instructions to you so you can check clearances and measurements on your boat.
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David Bryant
Thanks Bob for the offer
Thanks Bob but what I think I will do next is call Simrad and ask them. If they say the WP10 installs directly on my 320 I will go with that Dave
Thanks Bob but what I think I will do next is call Simrad and ask them. If they say the WP10 installs directly on my 320 I will go with that Dave
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