best autopilot for an 1985 H40

[waternwaves]

Looking for others opinions about the best autopilot for an '85 H40.

Also, if someone knows about a simple wireless remote control steering unit only I would be interested. The few custom builts I have seen dont seem tough enough.
boat weight is about 19K-20K

 

[Ron McCoy]

I dont' want to put you off, but you should do some on-line homework by reading the major manufacturers webpages on their autopilots. They'll steer you toward the units that meet your boat requirements. Once you decide on the correct unit/manufacturer, the installation will be the most critical step. Even the best units, if poorly installed, will fail to provide you the steerage you desire. Good luck.

 

[Thread]

AP

Our 1991 model year 30,000 pound boat came equipped with an Autohelm (Raymarine) 7000 course computer with 6000 head below decks autopilot. The linear drive electric motor is connected directly to the steering quadrant. It continues to operate trouble free after all these years and after several thousand miles of cruising. I also have it wired into our Garmin 178C Sounder. It is a very strong and reliable system.

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[waternwaves]

Sorry, I did not phrase the question with sufficient detail...

as a vane user and auto user with a couple of decades of playing with most of them, i have a distinct preference for the hydrovane. I am more concerned with the installation of otto in the specific of a H40, with the less than watertight lazarette, funky space access, somewhat delicate helm pedestal, somewhat lively response. small electrical system, light to medium weight boat...... etc......

the limitiations of that physical configuration are what I am mostly interested in. Someone who has actually measured the power consumption of the raymarine for example in their typical cruising grounds. I am not looking for specific motoring performance, put power needs are a consideration, and recent installers and users impressions to see if they note things that are more important to them than say what I have found. I tend to lean to RayMarine when motoring. but I am not beholden to them. (tho the 2 button tacking is convenient upwind. It would be interesting to measure power used by 2 or more simlar weight boats to see how they compare to others when sailing.

all of them can move the boat when motoring in fair conditions...... but the garmin I have noticed (even tho it has excellent displays) does not seem to hold trim as well, wind info did not noticeably improve tracking, and motor/drive configuration seems a little weaker.

anyway, with the multiple quadrant connection configurations, I was curious what others found to be easiest to install and most robust of the ottos......inside the hunter.

Thanks, I will phrase the question more accurately next time.

 

[Thread]

AP

Hmm. I'm now even more confused than before.

I've not bothered with measuring the power consumption of the 7000; a waste of time IMHO. If someone has done so, it's their turn. Since we are under sail about 70% of the time when we cruise PNW waters the 7000 draw has no appreciable impact on our house bank capacity, so no worries here. Even less of an issue while motoring.

In our case the Garmin is not the one holding the trim. All it does is feed directional information to the course computer, which with rudder transducer data adjusts trim to maintain course.

I have no idea what you mean by multiple quadrant connections; perhaps a euphemism since there is only one. Ours was installed at the factory so no idea on difficulty factor, but upon inspection of our system would seem to be far less difficult than say replacing the number six fuel nozzle on a J79 engine.

So, is Port Susan the extent of your cruising grounds?

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[waternwaves]

no, I meant 3 different drive motor connections in H40's lazarette that I have photo's so far so that is what I mean by different quadrant connections.

like most others in puget sound, we motor too much, during the nice weather months. I am impressed with anyone who can sail 70% of the time in puget sound june thru september. (OK so a little jboat envy at times) (my admiral gets a little tired of those mostly windless mornings) (i have been trying for the last 40 or 50 years to tell people they are slow motorboats, not fast sailboats)
I am looking for more time on the west side of vancouver island next spring.. probably wont have enough vacation for another trip to the Charlottes next summer.
nope, this one is a BC boat I brought down last winter. it has more time in the gulf/san juans and sunshine coast, and taken it midsound a half dozen times, but it is a lot more fun in the straits.....My best speeds with it so far were georgia straits last december.
our boats rarely only go into port susan side (I live above it looking east)a couple of times (stanwood bridge and the cut are a problem) so keeping it in edmonds/everett.. tho haro is fun and saratoga is pretty..... that is kind of boring... georgia and fuca are my preferences, close and normally fun this month.
And no.... as a former small aircraft owner...... I dont play with turbines (budget it too small)...so I can't compare my continental and lycoming problems to a smoky GE baby. Though I have a yanmar that tries to do a close approximation of the smokescreen at times.
The garmin comment had to do with a recent trip where I was comparing a 35.2 Beneteau I take out frequently (without wind signals) to a bavaria with a garmin pilot (that has wind signals).

 

[seadaddler]

Below Deck

I really would love to see some photo's of below deck installations,how the below deck is hooked up to the steering.
I have H-36 and thinking of switching to a below deck unit,I now have S1 auto
with with steering wheel motor drive and most times works OK but would like to improve the system to a better below deck unit any Photo's would be nice.
Nick