Autopilot for an Oday 37

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Mike Cinkewicz

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Mar 26, 2011
2
Oday 37 Jersey City
I am looking to install an autopilot system in my Oday 37. I am not looking for anything over the top. Can anyone recommend a unit/type of installation that is budget friendly and simple to install in an Oday 37?
Thanks
 
Jackdaw

Jackdaw

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Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
who makes your wind and speed instruments? You will want to interface your AP to them so it can steer and hold to an apparent wind angle; in my option if you can't do that its not worth having an AP.
 
M

Mike Cinkewicz

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Mar 26, 2011
2
Oday 37 Jersey City
I do not have any built in wind instruments.
As of now I'm looking at the Raymarine SmartPilot X-5, which has wind add on unit.
 
Jackdaw

Jackdaw

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Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
what does the wind add-on cost? I've guessing rather spendy.... You might want to just buy an ST60+ wind system and interface to that.. that way you get to use it as well.
 
Richard19068

Richard19068

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Jun 11, 2004
1,772
Oday 31 Redondo Beach
Jackdaw said:
who makes your wind and speed instruments? You will want to interface your AP to them so it can steer and hold to an apparent wind angle; in my option if you can't do that its not worth having an AP.
Click to expand
I respectfully disagree. My auto pilot has no wind instrument interface and I find it extremely helpful.

It all depends on how you use your boat and what you want out of the AP.
 
Jackdaw

Jackdaw

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Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
Richard19068 said:
I respectfully disagree. My auto pilot has no wind instrument interface and I find it extremely helpful.

It all depends on how you use your boat and what you want out of the AP.
Click to expand
I get that for sure. All situations different. My thinking is based on the fact that I can tighten the wheel lock and the 36.7 will hold a course for a long time. But you still have to watch for wind shifts. Sailboats typically don't sail to a course, they sail to a wind angle. With the AP set on following an AWA, we can sail for HOURS without touching the wheel or trimming.

If you motor a lot, then the AWA steering becomes les important as well.
 
RAD

RAD

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Jun 3, 2004
2,330
Catalina 30 Bay Shore, N.Y.
I have the little sister 32 center cockpit to your 37 and I have a Raymarine wheel pilot and love it......great price,easy to install and the X5 models don't have a rudder sensor so installation is real easy
BTW do you know about our local Northeast Oday rendezvous we have every July, we have a flotilla heading to Clinton CT. from Newport Marina in Jersey City
 
Peter Brennan

Peter Brennan

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Jun 10, 2004
94
Oday 37 World's Fair Marina, Flushing, Queens, NYC
We have the Raymarine wheel pilot and love it too. It was interfaced to the Loran but we no longer have Loran and never added a built-in GPS. Use a hand-held. It is not connected to the wind instruments, which is a good thing because they don't work. But it sure makes life a lot easier so long as you watch where you are going. But bear in mind you are going to spend more than a few pennies.
 
heritage

heritage

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Apr 22, 2011
943
Hunter 27 Pecan Grove, Oriental, NC
I have an older Navico wheel pilot that works very well on our 37' Oday. Raymarine bought out Navico and totaly redesigned the system and eliminated the drive belt. Either unit should work well on your 37. If you can find a Navico on ebay or craigslist, you can save some bucks.
 
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