I need an autopilot for my Hunter 280. Has anyone with a similar boat installed one? Did you do it yourself? What brand/model do you recommend?
Thanks,
MaryC
Thanks,
MaryC
Autopilot for Hunter 280?
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Tiller or Wheel? (Edited)
We are very happy with the tiller pilot on our '77 Hunter 27. It was easy to mount and install, has never failed once, and easily clears away when we want to go "hands on."
It's a Raymarine ST 1000 Tiller Pilot.
We are very happy with the tiller pilot on our '77 Hunter 27. It was easy to mount and install, has never failed once, and easily clears away when we want to go "hands on."
It's a Raymarine ST 1000 Tiller Pilot.
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Too few choices, like one.
If you look at the available autohelms on PYacht( http://www.pyacht.com/electronics.html ) only one, Raymarine, makes a wheel pilot. That is unfortunate I think, the lack of competition means there is little incentive to improve. My Navico(Simrad) WP30 has piloted my 18000# H37C in the worst of Lake Erie sailing conditions. It is eight years old and I have never had a problem. Unfortunately they are no longer produced.
So I think the Raymarine S1 series is about your only option. Or for $2000. or more you can try to install a below decks unit. In that case I think B&G makes a good unit.
If you look at the available autohelms on PYacht( http://www.pyacht.com/electronics.html ) only one, Raymarine, makes a wheel pilot. That is unfortunate I think, the lack of competition means there is little incentive to improve. My Navico(Simrad) WP30 has piloted my 18000# H37C in the worst of Lake Erie sailing conditions. It is eight years old and I have never had a problem. Unfortunately they are no longer produced.
So I think the Raymarine S1 series is about your only option. Or for $2000. or more you can try to install a below decks unit. In that case I think B&G makes a good unit.
The Raymarine S1 Wheelpilot with Rudder Ref Unit should be a good bet. Simple and easy to use. Rarely a problem. If you're brave, then go for the Raymarine X5 without Rudder Ref but supposed to have gyro built in.
My friend installed the S1 himself on his Hanse 315 and he's not much of a DIY person.
My friend installed the S1 himself on his Hanse 315 and he's not much of a DIY person.
DIY Autopilot Install
Mary, I installed the Raymarine wheel pilot on my '99 H310. The install was very simple for the most part. My boat has the direct drive wheel steering mounted on the box/table. The rudder position sensor was easy to install under the removable floor aft of the wheel. Because of clearance issues between the "box" and the wheel I had to space the wheel back 1/4" using two 1" galvanized washers. After sea trials and fine tuning it has worked flawlessly for 4 years.
Mary, I installed the Raymarine wheel pilot on my '99 H310. The install was very simple for the most part. My boat has the direct drive wheel steering mounted on the box/table. The rudder position sensor was easy to install under the removable floor aft of the wheel. Because of clearance issues between the "box" and the wheel I had to space the wheel back 1/4" using two 1" galvanized washers. After sea trials and fine tuning it has worked flawlessly for 4 years.
Mary, think carefully through the installation and study the heck out of the online manuals before you take the plunge. Our boats pedestal is of molded fiberglass and problematic in size. The drive motor for the S1 protrudes forward from the rear of the unit that attaches to the wheel and a cutout must be made (as best as I can tell) into the pedestal for clearance. A complicating factor is that the gear shift/throttle is on the starboard side and the pedestal itself doesn't have a flat spot on it. You might want to get a pro to take a look at what all would be required and advise.
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