Hello all,
So I have a 2000 Hunter 340 with the wheel pilot and I can say that while it works it isn't a very good solution. Basically the 340 (at least my model year) has a ridiculously oversized rudder which makes the wheel difficult to turn especially when the wind picks up. Wheel pilots don't have much "umph" so to speak so when the wind gets above 12 knots the autopilot becomes pretty useless unless you are going downwind. Needless to say I've also thought about a below decks unit but I know there is no easy way to place one. The boat uses rack and pinion for the steering (no cables) so I think people would normally use a liner drive system for that, but again definitely no room to place one without making a huge hole and likely having the end of the drive stick into the top of the aft cabin.
Anyway if anyone has successfully done this I'd love to see it. As I said wheel pilot can kinda work but something beefier would be nice.
Take care,
-Levin