I'm just about ready to purchase a new C-36, and am pondering the option list. I'd really like an Autohelm unit to help with single handing. I sail on a lake with no long distances to cover, so basic is all I need. The ST-5000 is offered as a manufacturer's option, with a price of $4200. I see that unit at West Marine for $2500. Is the difference a logical amount for installation? Could I do that myself? Is the ST-4000 wheel unit adequate for this boat? I'd rather have a below decks installation, but there sure is a big difference in cost. Lastly, where do most of you put the control head, on an instrument pod at helm or somewhere away from the wheel? I've heard of companionway installations--that seems to make some sense. Any feedback is appreciated.
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4000 vrs. 5000
I have a 4000 on a C36 and it does an adequate job. If I had it to do over again I would get the 5000 to eliminate the noise of the 4000 working and most importantly to have a system that can steer in the event of a cable breakage. Steering home a long distance with the emergency tiller doesn't appeal to me. The control head, in my opinion, belongs near the wheel as in a pod. Many times it is necessary to take control quickly or to settle the boat well on a course and then quickly set the autopilot. Wind shifts also make it necessary to put in a few degrees once in a while. Running down to the companionway for this doesn't seem like fun.
I have a 4000 on a C36 and it does an adequate job. If I had it to do over again I would get the 5000 to eliminate the noise of the 4000 working and most importantly to have a system that can steer in the event of a cable breakage. Steering home a long distance with the emergency tiller doesn't appeal to me. The control head, in my opinion, belongs near the wheel as in a pod. Many times it is necessary to take control quickly or to settle the boat well on a course and then quickly set the autopilot. Wind shifts also make it necessary to put in a few degrees once in a while. Running down to the companionway for this doesn't seem like fun.
4000
Jay You may consider using this website's search engine using "ST 4000" on the archives. There have been nothing but problems with the calibration. The concept of a belowdecks 5000 sounds good. You may also want to consider the less expensive Autohelm 3000, which does not require that the AP be engaged all the time and is a lot more reliable, based on our experience, and compared to the ST 4000. You also need to carefully consider the installation with your helm arrangement. Older Catalinas have a standard binnacle arrangement. The newer ones have the entire engine gauges below the helm, which complicate the installation. Go to Raymarine.com and check the mdoels out. Go look at other boats, like yours and by Catalina, that set things up that meet your expectations. Good luck.
Jay You may consider using this website's search engine using "ST 4000" on the archives. There have been nothing but problems with the calibration. The concept of a belowdecks 5000 sounds good. You may also want to consider the less expensive Autohelm 3000, which does not require that the AP be engaged all the time and is a lot more reliable, based on our experience, and compared to the ST 4000. You also need to carefully consider the installation with your helm arrangement. Older Catalinas have a standard binnacle arrangement. The newer ones have the entire engine gauges below the helm, which complicate the installation. Go to Raymarine.com and check the mdoels out. Go look at other boats, like yours and by Catalina, that set things up that meet your expectations. Good luck.
agree with Jack
I agree with everything Jack said. We have the 4000 on out 36. It works well in most situations, the worst being following seas. It seems strong enough to handle the boat, but in heavy seas, I prefer to be at the helm so we have never really pushed it. I forget the rating for the 4000, but it may be close to what a fully loaded C36 weighs. All that said, the 4000 works fine for us. The 5000 would be nice for many reasons. But one advantage is that the 4000 is right there if you have to fix it, and you can do the work yourself. Certainly get one or the other, don't pass on an autopilot. You will love it.
I agree with everything Jack said. We have the 4000 on out 36. It works well in most situations, the worst being following seas. It seems strong enough to handle the boat, but in heavy seas, I prefer to be at the helm so we have never really pushed it. I forget the rating for the 4000, but it may be close to what a fully loaded C36 weighs. All that said, the 4000 works fine for us. The 5000 would be nice for many reasons. But one advantage is that the 4000 is right there if you have to fix it, and you can do the work yourself. Certainly get one or the other, don't pass on an autopilot. You will love it.
Actually, I think the WP30 is a better choice
I was given the same choice of Autohelm autopilots and I chose instead to keep the SIMRAD WP30 autopilot I used on my old Hunter. In the first place, contrary to representations made about the benefits of the Autohelm units vs. the WP30, I have used the WP30 in rough following seas and the autopilot worked flawlessly. Moreover, the system is considerably easier to install (as it comes as a single unit) and is MUCH less expensive than either the Autohelm units. The only option I would consider is the remote with the digital readout. Food for thought! Richard N. Gottlieb s/v Wind Angel #2115
I was given the same choice of Autohelm autopilots and I chose instead to keep the SIMRAD WP30 autopilot I used on my old Hunter. In the first place, contrary to representations made about the benefits of the Autohelm units vs. the WP30, I have used the WP30 in rough following seas and the autopilot worked flawlessly. Moreover, the system is considerably easier to install (as it comes as a single unit) and is MUCH less expensive than either the Autohelm units. The only option I would consider is the remote with the digital readout. Food for thought! Richard N. Gottlieb s/v Wind Angel #2115
Simred WP30
I would go with the Simrad WP30. It's a great unit and less then $900.00 with remote from Sailnet when on special. It's Easy as cake to install.
I would go with the Simrad WP30. It's a great unit and less then $900.00 with remote from Sailnet when on special. It's Easy as cake to install.
I've had great experience with the Simrad
I installed a WP30 this year on our '88 C36, and have been very pleased with its performance in all conditions. Installation was literally a 3-hour job (mostly for the wiring run through the pedestal). Just a fraction of the cost of an Autohelm.
I installed a WP30 this year on our '88 C36, and have been very pleased with its performance in all conditions. Installation was literally a 3-hour job (mostly for the wiring run through the pedestal). Just a fraction of the cost of an Autohelm.
Simrad Question?
I have a '94 Cat 36 and am concerned about the effect of the binacle compass and cockpit speakers on the Simrad units. Has anyone experienced problems? walt
I have a '94 Cat 36 and am concerned about the effect of the binacle compass and cockpit speakers on the Simrad units. Has anyone experienced problems? walt
Simrad Question?
I have a '94 Cat 36 and am concerned about the effect of the binacle compass and cockpit speakers on the Simrad units. Has anyone experienced problems? walt
I have a '94 Cat 36 and am concerned about the effect of the binacle compass and cockpit speakers on the Simrad units. Has anyone experienced problems? walt
Not here
I have used my Simrad unit for this last summer and did not notice any issues between the A/P and the Compass. I do not have cockpit mounted speakers. I am sure that unless you are putting the speakers on your pedestal, there should not be any problems. Les Murray s/c Ceilidh '86 C-36 #560
I have used my Simrad unit for this last summer and did not notice any issues between the A/P and the Compass. I do not have cockpit mounted speakers. I am sure that unless you are putting the speakers on your pedestal, there should not be any problems. Les Murray s/c Ceilidh '86 C-36 #560
Not here
I have used my Simrad unit for this last summer and did not notice any issues between the A/P and the Compass. I do not have cockpit mounted speakers. I am sure that unless you are putting the speakers on your pedestal, there should not be any problems. Les Murray s/c Ceilidh '86 C-36 #560
I have used my Simrad unit for this last summer and did not notice any issues between the A/P and the Compass. I do not have cockpit mounted speakers. I am sure that unless you are putting the speakers on your pedestal, there should not be any problems. Les Murray s/c Ceilidh '86 C-36 #560
Speakers
Walt One thing to be careful about is the potential of interference from your new cockpit speakers to your autopilot. I installed our speakers on our Mark I in the vertical panel below the helsman's seat, and had to relocate my autopilot further away due to interference. The speakers were the non-magnetic outdoors shielded type, but still gave our old Autohelm 3000 fits. The autopilot was on the angled face of the starboard seat. It's now up on the coaming, which turned out to be a much better and more accessible location for it. Certainly a different cockpit layout than a Mark II. You may have a newer autopilot with a remote fluxgate compass, so it may not be an issue. You may want to wire up the speakers temporarily, turn them on and take a test drive just to make sure you have no interference. Also, I've never heard of the compass affecting the AP. Usually, it's the other way around, the compass gets offset if there's metal near it (even metal foghorn cans do that!).
Walt One thing to be careful about is the potential of interference from your new cockpit speakers to your autopilot. I installed our speakers on our Mark I in the vertical panel below the helsman's seat, and had to relocate my autopilot further away due to interference. The speakers were the non-magnetic outdoors shielded type, but still gave our old Autohelm 3000 fits. The autopilot was on the angled face of the starboard seat. It's now up on the coaming, which turned out to be a much better and more accessible location for it. Certainly a different cockpit layout than a Mark II. You may have a newer autopilot with a remote fluxgate compass, so it may not be an issue. You may want to wire up the speakers temporarily, turn them on and take a test drive just to make sure you have no interference. Also, I've never heard of the compass affecting the AP. Usually, it's the other way around, the compass gets offset if there's metal near it (even metal foghorn cans do that!).
Speakers
Walt One thing to be careful about is the potential of interference from your new cockpit speakers to your autopilot. I installed our speakers on our Mark I in the vertical panel below the helsman's seat, and had to relocate my autopilot further away due to interference. The speakers were the non-magnetic outdoors shielded type, but still gave our old Autohelm 3000 fits. The autopilot was on the angled face of the starboard seat. It's now up on the coaming, which turned out to be a much better and more accessible location for it. Certainly a different cockpit layout than a Mark II. You may have a newer autopilot with a remote fluxgate compass, so it may not be an issue. You may want to wire up the speakers temporarily, turn them on and take a test drive just to make sure you have no interference. Also, I've never heard of the compass affecting the AP. Usually, it's the other way around, the compass gets offset if there's metal near it (even metal foghorn cans do that!).
Walt One thing to be careful about is the potential of interference from your new cockpit speakers to your autopilot. I installed our speakers on our Mark I in the vertical panel below the helsman's seat, and had to relocate my autopilot further away due to interference. The speakers were the non-magnetic outdoors shielded type, but still gave our old Autohelm 3000 fits. The autopilot was on the angled face of the starboard seat. It's now up on the coaming, which turned out to be a much better and more accessible location for it. Certainly a different cockpit layout than a Mark II. You may have a newer autopilot with a remote fluxgate compass, so it may not be an issue. You may want to wire up the speakers temporarily, turn them on and take a test drive just to make sure you have no interference. Also, I've never heard of the compass affecting the AP. Usually, it's the other way around, the compass gets offset if there's metal near it (even metal foghorn cans do that!).
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