Catalina 30 below deck auto helm

[George Da Porge]

Has anyone installed a below deck auto helm on a Catalina 30? We need to replace our Raymarine ST4000, as it will not hold a heading under sail. I haven't heard good things about Raymarine support and I don't care for the lack of fit and finish on the CPT. I want function, but I also want good looks. I will never get used to the exposed belt and look of the other CPT components. In addition I expect I will be often scraping my shins on the drive box.

It seems the challenge with installing a below deck helm on the C30 is that the steering tube has to be cut to expose the rudder post. Then a shaft seal(s) would be needed. That's a fair amount of work, especially if the steering tube is providing any cockpit sole support. In a really tight space, working mostly upside down.

 

[Maine Sail]

It can be done but a WP would be a more realistic choice for a C-30.

Most every complaint I field on Raymarine AP's or WP's are improper installation, improper use or programming & set up errors... Raymarine still gets the blame though...

As a point of reference we are driving a 36' nearly 20,000 pound vessel with a Raymarine wheel pilot (S4G course computer original install 2006) and have done so for over 10,000 nm.... I fully expected it to be dead long ago, and I would have converted to below deck by now, but the darn thing keeps on chugging. Proper installation, set up and use are critical factors in any auto pilot installation....

 

[George Da Porge]

It can be done but a WP would be a more realistic choice for a C-30.

Agreed! Just looking at different options. Installing a below deck unit certainly will be more complicated than most, since the rudder post is not exposed.

 

[Maine Sail]

Agreed! Just looking at different options. Installing a below deck unit certainly will be more complicated than most, since the rudder post is not exposed.

If you know what you are doing you can use the radial drive for the linear connection point but space is tight on a C-30 and it would requires some cutting.....

 

[Deleted member 117556]

I just went through this with my Catalina 310 because the old X-5 autopilot was a POS. Even after paying to have the motor rebuilt (mistake on my part) it still would not work. Inquired about a below deck system and our local Catalina/Raymarine dealer said "not enough room below deck on a C-310." So we went with the new EV-100 wheel pilot and it really works well. Big improvement over previous models. Very little user calibration required and holds the track very well. Granted it is only 6 months old but I am very impressed so far. Mine was professionally installed. Hope this helps. BTW, no belts and so it looks good too.

 

[George Da Porge]

Thanks for the insight!

 

[Maine Sail]

I just went through this with my Catalina 310 because the old X-5 autopilot was a POS. Even after paying to have the motor rebuilt (mistake on my part) it still would not work. Inquired about a below deck system and our local Catalina/Raymarine dealer said "not enough room below deck on a C-310." So we went with the new EV-100 wheel pilot and it really works well. Big improvement over previous models. Very little user calibration required and holds the track very well. Granted it is only 6 months old but I am very impressed so far. Mine was professionally installed. Hope this helps. BTW, no belts and so it looks good too.

The EV100 Wheel Pilot uses the same exact motor / wheel drive the X-5 did, PN E12093, but the EV100 is easier to set up. This motor/wheel drive E12093 has been unchanged since the ST 4000+ MKII came out

As I mentioned earlier auto pilots, especially wheel pilots, suffer most from installation issues. The X-5 and EV100 wheel pilots use the identical motor and wheel drive but the X-5 was harder for a DIY, or even a pro to program. Bad set up, installation or programing can kill a wheel drive pretty quickly..

 

[Svlorelei30]

Wheel brackets

If you do replace your wheel pilot would you consider selling me the brackets that are on the wheel that hold the "ring" onto the wheel? Mine are cracked and/or missing though the autopilot still runs. Please let me know

 

[George Da Porge]

If you do replace your wheel pilot would you consider selling me the brackets that are on the wheel that hold the "ring" onto the wheel? Mine are cracked and/or missing though the autopilot still runs. Please let me know

Mine are cracked also! You can find replacements on the Internet.

 

[down_shift]

It can be done but a WP would be a more realistic choice for a C-30.

Most every complaint I field on Raymarine AP's or WP's are improper installation, improper use or programming & set up errors... Raymarine still gets the blame though...

As a point of reference we are driving a 36' nearly 20,000 pound vessel with a Raymarine wheel pilot (S4G course computer original install 2006) and have done so for over 10,000 nm.... I fully expected it to be dead long ago, and I would have converted to below deck by now, but the darn thing keeps on chugging. Proper installation, set up and use are critical factors in any auto pilot installation....

Thank you for the encouraging information on a wheel pilot on a 36' boat.

 

[C30skpr]

I replaced all my electronics and autopilot. Couldn't enough room for below deck hydraulics so went with wheel Raymarine EV100 ST4000 so far works well, Rudder Refrence was a bit of a task. Raymarine worked well with me to even replacing my e7 MFD twice. Original worked just fine except it fell (Ser#) in a recall.

 

[George Da Porge]

Thanks all for the feedback and comments!!