I am looking for suggestions for an autopilot for my 280. I have looked at both the Raymarine 4000 and the simrad wp30. One of my bigger concerns is the installation. Most pictures I have seen are on a single post type pedestal. My boat has a large pedestal with a storage compartment forward of the wheel and a spot for intruments facing aft just above the wheel. Has anyone installed one of these models on this type of arrangement? I am looking for any suggestions for type of pilot and pictures are welcome if available. Thanks.
Autopilot on 1996 280
- Thread starter Ted11249
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Simrad WP30.
Mine has been bulletproof. Five years now on an 18000# displ. boat in all conditions. But you are correct. The WP30 as received is for a 4" post pedestal mounting. You would have to call Simrad or a dealer to find the part numbers for mounting to a console-type pedestal.
Mine has been bulletproof. Five years now on an 18000# displ. boat in all conditions. But you are correct. The WP30 as received is for a 4" post pedestal mounting. You would have to call Simrad or a dealer to find the part numbers for mounting to a console-type pedestal.
Raymarine 4000
I bought my 280 with the Raymarine 4000 already installed on the same type of pedastal that you have. So I know that it can be done, but I can't tell you if the installation is straight forward or difficult.
I bought my 280 with the Raymarine 4000 already installed on the same type of pedastal that you have. So I know that it can be done, but I can't tell you if the installation is straight forward or difficult.
I did it
I installed the Raymarine 4000 on my 280. I had to use a hole saw to make a hole in the pedistal to recieve the motor that stocks out on the rear of the autopilot. Look carefully at the picture, and you will see that I mounted it upside down. The drive motor is at about the 7 o'clock position. It works just fine. The biggest challenge was running the wires. I used 12 guage for the 12v. supply. I put the compass inside the rounded part of the cabinet under the galley sink. When I first tried to use it, it did a lot of wandering around and overcorrecting. I called Raymarine tech support and got much better setup advice. It now works well and didn't need a rudder position sensor.
I installed the Raymarine 4000 on my 280. I had to use a hole saw to make a hole in the pedistal to recieve the motor that stocks out on the rear of the autopilot. Look carefully at the picture, and you will see that I mounted it upside down. The drive motor is at about the 7 o'clock position. It works just fine. The biggest challenge was running the wires. I used 12 guage for the 12v. supply. I put the compass inside the rounded part of the cabinet under the galley sink. When I first tried to use it, it did a lot of wandering around and overcorrecting. I called Raymarine tech support and got much better setup advice. It now works well and didn't need a rudder position sensor.
Same setup
My 4000 is on my 290 but was installed on the boat already,I did sail a 280 when I took some sailing lesson's in virginia where I purchased my boat and it works fine on both. The captian that sailed it up to new york from virginia all the way in the atlantic was very happy with the way it worked,he said he was inpressed with how well it handled in ruff weather. He did the trip singled handed in four days all out in the atlantic and was very happy to have the ray 4000 and my ray chartplotter gps on board. My 290 looks the same as the 280 so it should be no problem My fulgate is below the cockpit in a compartment under the rear berth bedding.
My 4000 is on my 290 but was installed on the boat already,I did sail a 280 when I took some sailing lesson's in virginia where I purchased my boat and it works fine on both. The captian that sailed it up to new york from virginia all the way in the atlantic was very happy with the way it worked,he said he was inpressed with how well it handled in ruff weather. He did the trip singled handed in four days all out in the atlantic and was very happy to have the ray 4000 and my ray chartplotter gps on board. My 290 looks the same as the 280 so it should be no problem My fulgate is below the cockpit in a compartment under the rear berth bedding.
Response to Tom in Chicago
Thanks for your response. Where do you keep your boat in the winter? If possible, I would like to come see your installation. You can email me at saildad@sbcglobal.net. I am at Crowley's new yard on the far south side.
Thanks for your response. Where do you keep your boat in the winter? If possible, I would like to come see your installation. You can email me at saildad@sbcglobal.net. I am at Crowley's new yard on the far south side.
Response to Larry in Tulsa
Thanks for your response, especially the picture. I noticed you have a traveler on your 280. Did you install this yourself? My 280 does not have one and that is another project I have thought about. How do you find it works? I would think it would help the sailing quite a bit. You can reach me at saildad@sbcglobal.net to take the conversation off the forum.
Thanks for your response, especially the picture. I noticed you have a traveler on your 280. Did you install this yourself? My 280 does not have one and that is another project I have thought about. How do you find it works? I would think it would help the sailing quite a bit. You can reach me at saildad@sbcglobal.net to take the conversation off the forum.
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