help quick...i am buying and autopilot within the next 4 days for my 37 cutter....do i want the simrad wp30cx with the remote for $750 or do i want the raymarine st4000 with the free remote for $677 ??????? help quick please or email me direct at 1keladi@msn.com i am going to the miami boat show sat and defender has the raymarine unit listed. i was already to buy the simrad unit but $70+ cheaper???? will it fit on the 37 cutter
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Richard Gillette
Raymarine 4000 autopilot
The ST4000 works fine on my 37. After a while, and lots of use, the belt in the wheel may have to be tightened. That is no big deal however.
The ST4000 works fine on my 37. After a while, and lots of use, the belt in the wheel may have to be tightened. That is no big deal however.
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Ed Schenck
Buy the Simrad.
Three seasons in heavy weather and not one problem. Do an archive search Chet and see all the A4000 issues. The WP30 is a much stronger unit and rated for our 18000# plus displacements. Installation is a snap. There is no fluxgate to find a location for. Unless you want GPS and/or wind input the only wire is the 12 volts with a ground. But you do not get a separate display with the WP30. Write if you need detailed installation info. Best upgrade on Ladylove.
Three seasons in heavy weather and not one problem. Do an archive search Chet and see all the A4000 issues. The WP30 is a much stronger unit and rated for our 18000# plus displacements. Installation is a snap. There is no fluxgate to find a location for. Unless you want GPS and/or wind input the only wire is the 12 volts with a ground. But you do not get a separate display with the WP30. Write if you need detailed installation info. Best upgrade on Ladylove.
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Bob Miller
Raymarine
Chet, I've used the OLD Autohelm AH4000 Wheel Pilot for the last 14 years on my 37C. The only problem I had was a broken clutch lever. I ordered a new one over the net ($5.00) with Prompt service. Just last fall, I started to have intermitent problems with the control unit. So, I just recently purchased a new ST4000 at Boat Show prices ($750.00) with no remote. Wished I knew aboput your $670.00 price. I looked at the Simrad and agree that it is speced for a little bigger boat. The new ST4000 is speced for a little bigger boat than the AH4000, but less that the Simrad. I went for the ST4000 because: 1. Good history with my AH4000. 2. I have received my new wheel unit and inspection shows a much better design than the old AH4000 wheel unit. 3. I, also, bought new wind, speed and depth instruments which will be interconnected using "Seatalk". I will also interconnect with my Garmin GPS. 4. I have the flexibility to install the control/display unit anywhere I want. (Which will be on the pedistal above the compass). DOWNSIDE points: 1. More wiring. Flux gate compass and control/display unit all mounted separatly from wheel unit.
Chet, I've used the OLD Autohelm AH4000 Wheel Pilot for the last 14 years on my 37C. The only problem I had was a broken clutch lever. I ordered a new one over the net ($5.00) with Prompt service. Just last fall, I started to have intermitent problems with the control unit. So, I just recently purchased a new ST4000 at Boat Show prices ($750.00) with no remote. Wished I knew aboput your $670.00 price. I looked at the Simrad and agree that it is speced for a little bigger boat. The new ST4000 is speced for a little bigger boat than the AH4000, but less that the Simrad. I went for the ST4000 because: 1. Good history with my AH4000. 2. I have received my new wheel unit and inspection shows a much better design than the old AH4000 wheel unit. 3. I, also, bought new wind, speed and depth instruments which will be interconnected using "Seatalk". I will also interconnect with my Garmin GPS. 4. I have the flexibility to install the control/display unit anywhere I want. (Which will be on the pedistal above the compass). DOWNSIDE points: 1. More wiring. Flux gate compass and control/display unit all mounted separatly from wheel unit.
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Gary Henkelmann
4000+
I went through the same evaluation between the Simrad and Autohelm units three years ago and decided upon the Autohelm (which was more expensive at the time)due to the separate display and the remote. The Simrad does have better spec's and the all-in-one unit must be a lot easier to install (routing the compass was a bear to get it where I wanted it). However, I also fitted a Raydata unit for depth, speed and temperature, and I can get either display to show all of the information through the Seatalk cable. I wouldn't depend on the wheelpilot do do anything but light air work, however. Have fun at the show!
I went through the same evaluation between the Simrad and Autohelm units three years ago and decided upon the Autohelm (which was more expensive at the time)due to the separate display and the remote. The Simrad does have better spec's and the all-in-one unit must be a lot easier to install (routing the compass was a bear to get it where I wanted it). However, I also fitted a Raydata unit for depth, speed and temperature, and I can get either display to show all of the information through the Seatalk cable. I wouldn't depend on the wheelpilot do do anything but light air work, however. Have fun at the show!
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Dan Sheehan AMS
Raytheon ST4000 for my 37C
Like most things you do not hear about them until something goes wrong. I personally have a ST4000 on my Hunter 37C and it has handled the boat well for 5 years including trips through 12 foot seas and 35 knot winds. Like the previous post said you need to relieve the strain on the pilot by reefing early and balancing your sails to make any unit last. Since the ST4000 series is probably the most common autopilot on vessels 28 to about 38 feet, you are bound to see more complaints than most other units out there. What you do not hear is the thousands of people who have these units and never give them a second thought. They just turn them on and forget them. Dan Sheehan
Like most things you do not hear about them until something goes wrong. I personally have a ST4000 on my Hunter 37C and it has handled the boat well for 5 years including trips through 12 foot seas and 35 knot winds. Like the previous post said you need to relieve the strain on the pilot by reefing early and balancing your sails to make any unit last. Since the ST4000 series is probably the most common autopilot on vessels 28 to about 38 feet, you are bound to see more complaints than most other units out there. What you do not hear is the thousands of people who have these units and never give them a second thought. They just turn them on and forget them. Dan Sheehan
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Alan Johnson
Autohelm 5000
I too went thru the judging process and finally decided that I wanted a unit oversized for the displacement of my H37C. I have had problems with pedestal units before and elected for use a below deck unit. I sailed by Hunter to and from Bermuda, overtaken by fronts and fourty knots winds and the auto helm 5000 never faultered. Performance was excellent and I never regretted the extra expense
I too went thru the judging process and finally decided that I wanted a unit oversized for the displacement of my H37C. I have had problems with pedestal units before and elected for use a below deck unit. I sailed by Hunter to and from Bermuda, overtaken by fronts and fourty knots winds and the auto helm 5000 never faultered. Performance was excellent and I never regretted the extra expense
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chet p
went with simrad
thanks for all the input. went with the simrad wp30CX ...defender gave me the deal of $630.01+ $15 shipping included the handheld unit. almost did the ST4000II @$677.30 w/handheld but didn't want to have to mount 3 different pieces defender had that also.....sorry sailnet they never got back to me to make me an offer... cp
thanks for all the input. went with the simrad wp30CX ...defender gave me the deal of $630.01+ $15 shipping included the handheld unit. almost did the ST4000II @$677.30 w/handheld but didn't want to have to mount 3 different pieces defender had that also.....sorry sailnet they never got back to me to make me an offer... cp
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Ed Schenck
Good move Chet.
I think you will like the simplicity, the ease of "tuning", and how well it steers. Use the six-inch heavy rubber pipe connector that I wrote about. Bought mine at Lowes and the stainless clamps were better than the ones that came with the autohelm. If you can't find it in the archives drop me a line.
I think you will like the simplicity, the ease of "tuning", and how well it steers. Use the six-inch heavy rubber pipe connector that I wrote about. Bought mine at Lowes and the stainless clamps were better than the ones that came with the autohelm. If you can't find it in the archives drop me a line.
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