AutoPilot Recommendations for Wheel w/console

[Mark Mowery]

After chartering in the BVI, we fell in love with an autopilot. Question: which autopilot do you recommend that is appropriate when the wheel is attached to a console rather than a wheel pedestal? I have a typical Hunter 340 with the fiberglass console. If I were to purchase a wheel pilot how would I mount the motor since there is no pedestal. Or is there a type of autopliot that works better with the Hunter 340?

 

[Jim Russell]

Autohelm 4000 works

I wanted to mount the autopilot internally, but was told with the rack and pinion stearing on the 340 it couldn't be done. So we had a autohelm 4000 installed. Works fine.There is the black ring that attaches to the helm wheel, and the actual drive mounts through a hole in the pedistal and needs to no other mounting device as this becomes its support. I did add a nylon ring that a friend made to improve the appearance of the hole.Critical part will be to drill the hole in the right spot, but there should be a template that would assist in doing that.If you'd like a picture, I can email one to you.Jim

 

[PATTY CHERONE]

4000 DOESN'T WORK SO GREAT-SOMETIMES

WE BOUGHT OUR 340 NEW LAST YEAR AND HAD AUTOPILOT 4000 INSTALLED. OURS REALLY SEEMS TO WANDER (A LOT AT TIMES). AFTER MANY SEA TRIALS WITH THE INSTALLER AND CONVERSATIONS WITH RAYTHEON IT SEEMS THE WEATHER HELM IS A BIT MUCH FOR THIS MODEL AND THEY SUGGEST THE NEXT STEP UP OR ADD A RUDDER TRANSITION TRANSDUCER. I'D BE INTERESTED TO KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE HAS THIS PROBLEM.

 

[Wally Boggus]

AP 4000

I had a AP 4000 installed the same as Jim's and it seems to work fine in my 320 until...I installed speakers in the bottom of the pedestal. I noticed later that the AP compass was mounted behind the aft cabin bulkhead under the pedestal less than 2' from the speakers. This could be a problem.

 

[Darcy Peck]

Autohelm 4000

Had Autohelm 4000 installed by my dealer. Works great most of the time depending on wind, sail trim. Installed as Jim Russell advises although I added a "stop bolt" to eliminate chatter in the drum.

 

[Pete]

st 4000

there are fine tuning calabration that may help your "wander" try some of them and see if it helps (detailed instuction in the manual) Also if it an older st4000 and not the newer "st4000 plus" it may need to be set back to Ratheon,there was a software update to these models. Hope this Helps!

 

[Scott Dube]

Not sure about AH 4000+

I posted to another question on this subject check it out. But I think I will do a lot more research on alternatives next time. Support of raytheon products is spotty. I've had good help from them and then NO help... Parts availability for these AP's is also a question in my mind.Scott