Autopilot recommendations

Jackdaw · Feb 9, 2014

With any AP it is the crews job to make sure the sailplan is balanced so the helm is as well. Nothing worse for an AP then working hard to keep a course with a huge load on it.

Below decks units much better but 2x the cost. The new raymarine evo units very good, their new multiple-axis sensor are awesome. Awailable as wheel mount or below decks ram.

Les · Feb 9, 2014

My 2 cents.....I have a 2009 Hunter 27 which is a bit lighter then your boat. I have been using the Raymarine X-5 autopilot on it for five years (I got one of the first) and have had no problems with it. Actually, the biggest problem was that these new autopilots have to "learn" your boat. At first, we wandered probably 20 to 40 degrees on either side of my course but after a few trips, it has narrowed the course down to slight tugs on the wheel from time to time. I'm pleased and would buy it again. Since I single hand a lot it gets lots of use.

wufibugs · Feb 9, 2014

It depends on where and under what conditions you are sailing. My 86 H31 has an ancient Simrad WP10 wheel mounted AP. I sail the Pacific and it can struggle at times but keeps on pluggin. I keep waiting for it to give up the ghost, but remarkably, it just refuses. May not be as sophisticated as the new stuff, but it still affords me the freedom to wander the boat while underway.

Sailgunner · Feb 9, 2014

Whatever brand you buy make sure it connects into your chart plotter.

Rick D · Feb 9, 2014

Have You Seen This?

http://www.cptautopilot.com/index.php

heart of gold · Feb 9, 2014

I installed an Raymarine X5 3 years ago and other than an annoying squeak when it drives the wheel, it works fine. Its great for motoring and when the winds are light under sail. It has a really hard time in swell or when it starts to blow....but then I like to be at the helm in those conditions anyway. It will hold the course for a minute or 2 while i make trim adjustments which is a godsend.

bobbyfingers2001 · Feb 10, 2014

Autopilot

heart of gold said:
I installed an Raymarine X5 3 years ago and other than an annoying squeak when it drives the wheel, it works fine. Its great for motoring and when the winds are light under sail. It has a really hard time in swell or when it starts to blow....but then I like to be at the helm in those conditions anyway. It will hold the course for a minute or 2 while i make trim adjustments which is a godsend.

Well here is my two cents:

First off you didn't mention the type of sailing you do (primarily) ie: light air, motor-sail, off-shore, etc.

I personally believe in getting the biggest unit you can obtain, and I really never found a wheel-pilot unit that was worth a crap… Also, having the entire unit coupled to the Chartplotter is a must, as well as having it installed by a competent technician; not just some hack mechanic… I came across a very costly unit (Raymarine) that was installed by someone with no clue as to basic geometry. The sensor and ram were not anywhere close to the same angle, linkages loose, and held together with wire ties, etc. This boat couldn’t hold a straight line on a lake, under power and with no wind…

So if you haven’t guessed, I think the installation is of paramount importance, and secondly a unit that is matched to the type of conditions that you sail in. Someone else had touched on “learning your boat” I agree 100%, you must have a technician, or someone knowledgeable with your autopilot teach you how to properly calibrate the unit, as this is something that will need to be done from time to time due to prolonged power outages, sometimes from power spikes, or from someone accidently pressing the wrong buttons… It happens! Have all of the manuals onboard and know how to do a calibration, you will also need to know what the linkage is supposed to look like (when properly set up) so you will be able to know when something doesn’t look right. You will also need to know what the power requirements are for a particular unit (with the Chartplotter running) as this can be a determining factor when running at night under battery power (especially under rough conditions) as the ram will be working overtime and can draw a substantial amount of power.

Well that's my rant...

heart of gold · Feb 10, 2014

I agree with Bobbyfinger about making sure you buy the right unit for your type of sailing. If your going out on the ocean, the wheel pilot will not be the one for you and as I have never installed the hydraulic type I can't speak to that. I never completely rely on mine even though I sail in and around Georgia Strait. I was on a trip down the outside to San Francisco a couple of years ago on a friends 44ft Endeavour equipped with a fish boat style auto pilot and even it got over powered from time to time in the swell and snotty conditions we had. So it seems to me that every unit has its limitations.

Stu Jackson · Feb 10, 2014

Some have suggested that it is "necessary" to have the ap interfaced with the chartplotter.

Please recognize that this is an OPTION for your choice in two ways. The ap may not be able to interface, like the CPT. Or YOU choose not to do so, even if the ap could (like Raymarines and others).

Some skippers insist on it, others find it useless and even distracting.

Your boat, your choice.