I am looking into an autopilot for my 30. Primary use is local coastal, with weekends to catalina. price is important, but reliability is too. any suggestions as to model, pricing or best place to purchase?
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Ronk
Ronk, I have found that most of the time people are happy and proud with what they have purchased. This was not the case with autopilots and the feedback that I received from this site helped me decide. Keep in mind that I am no expert on autopilots. From my research on autopilots last year a huge number of people slammed Raymmarine on service. It doesn't mean their stuff is bad but I believe in "where's there's smoke, there's fire" and stayed away from their product. As far as I know, there is one other inexpensive wheelpilot, Simrad. Their lastest model being the Simrad WP 32. I have been happy and had no problems to date with their product. As far as buying, I would look on-line, print the ad and take it to a local marine dealer and ask them to price match. Keeping money local is important. good luck, Jack
Ronk, I have found that most of the time people are happy and proud with what they have purchased. This was not the case with autopilots and the feedback that I received from this site helped me decide. Keep in mind that I am no expert on autopilots. From my research on autopilots last year a huge number of people slammed Raymmarine on service. It doesn't mean their stuff is bad but I believe in "where's there's smoke, there's fire" and stayed away from their product. As far as I know, there is one other inexpensive wheelpilot, Simrad. Their lastest model being the Simrad WP 32. I have been happy and had no problems to date with their product. As far as buying, I would look on-line, print the ad and take it to a local marine dealer and ask them to price match. Keeping money local is important. good luck, Jack
Simrad
I have a Navico tiller pilot for my Cat27. I needed some help, as the remote wasn't working consistently. Called Simrad (who had bought out Navico) at their repair center in Washington, and talked directly to two techs that offered suggestions and helped diagnose the problem over the phone. It wasn't something I could repair, so I sent it to them. They repaired it and returned it quickly, for what I thought was a very reasonable price. But about a year later, the remote quit permanently for a reason unrelated to the original repair. I called Simrad again and talked to another tech to see about what remote currently available would replace it. The tech was very helpful, but informed me that none of the plug/socket combinations for the new Simrad remotes were compatible with my 15 year old Navico tillerpilot. At my request, they provided me the cable wiring diagrams, and I plan to cut the cable on a new Simrad remote and replace the factory plug with the plug from my old one. Very helpful people, and my 15-year old autopilot is still going fine, just without the remote until I get around to doing surgery on the plug.
I have a Navico tiller pilot for my Cat27. I needed some help, as the remote wasn't working consistently. Called Simrad (who had bought out Navico) at their repair center in Washington, and talked directly to two techs that offered suggestions and helped diagnose the problem over the phone. It wasn't something I could repair, so I sent it to them. They repaired it and returned it quickly, for what I thought was a very reasonable price. But about a year later, the remote quit permanently for a reason unrelated to the original repair. I called Simrad again and talked to another tech to see about what remote currently available would replace it. The tech was very helpful, but informed me that none of the plug/socket combinations for the new Simrad remotes were compatible with my 15 year old Navico tillerpilot. At my request, they provided me the cable wiring diagrams, and I plan to cut the cable on a new Simrad remote and replace the factory plug with the plug from my old one. Very helpful people, and my 15-year old autopilot is still going fine, just without the remote until I get around to doing surgery on the plug.
Do a Foryum Archive search on ST4000
and another one on Simrad and read what others have already said. Stu
and another one on Simrad and read what others have already said. Stu
Simrad TP 10
I bought an Simrad tp 10 on the internet for $279.00. I got it at onlinemarine.com. Good upto 8,000 pound boat. They have TP 22 for $440.00 if you need larger. Check them out.
I bought an Simrad tp 10 on the internet for $279.00. I got it at onlinemarine.com. Good upto 8,000 pound boat. They have TP 22 for $440.00 if you need larger. Check them out.
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