Looking to install a hydraulic autopilot. Does anyone have any Raymarine to use or a compatible one. Have you experienced any installation problems I should know about. Thanks
Hunter 320
- Thread starter Keith P
- Start date
Any reason why you're going with a hydraulic system rather than a wheel steer system? I don't know how much room you have for a ram but on my 33.5 there was none. I recently upgraded from a ST4000 autopilot to an EV-100 Wheel Evolution autopilot system. Really like the integration with the other Raymarine equipment onboard (Axiom 9, Wind, Depth, Speed, AIS and VHF).
Why hydraulic rather than electric? Our 1991 boat came with an electric linear drive Auothelm 7000. Still runs well and strong. Do not use it that often as a solo sailor, but does come in handy when making tack changes. More often I use the wheel brake while under way. If we were to head out into open waters, I have considered a wind vane.
I had an ST4000 on a 97 310. It handled the helm well. I considered a linear drive with a ram but couldn’t see where there was room.
I converted my Hunter 320 to EV 100. Pretty simple except for snaking the wiring over the gangway.
However... I never installed the rudder position sensor. In reflection, I should have. All indications are (RPS) would reduce the hunting around the targeted rhumb line. That whirring, would be minimized. Maybe that is why you are thinking hydraulic?
However... I never installed the rudder position sensor. In reflection, I should have. All indications are (RPS) would reduce the hunting around the targeted rhumb line. That whirring, would be minimized. Maybe that is why you are thinking hydraulic?
I think an electric linear drive would make more sense on a 27’ boat. You need a good mounting point and the tiller arm to mount on the rudder shaft, but other than that, the wiring and computer are pretty simple. I upgraded to a Raymarine ST6000 wheel pilot last year on my 32 foot, 10,250# displacement O’Day 322.
I can replace the wheel drive with a linear drive in the future and sill use the course computer and compass. I have a rudder sensor mounted, and the wiring for a linear drive isn’t much more difficult than wiring the rudder sensor.
And I think you will find that a hydraulic unit will cost a lot more.
They both need power to operate, so a hydraulic unit isn’t going to help conserve battery power (not sure about the power consumption between the linear drive and the hydraulic pump…).
On edit, I see you titled this Hunter 320…so maybe that is the boat you are going to add the AP to…not the Pearson 27 in your avatar. But my comments work for either boat.
Greg
I can replace the wheel drive with a linear drive in the future and sill use the course computer and compass. I have a rudder sensor mounted, and the wiring for a linear drive isn’t much more difficult than wiring the rudder sensor.
And I think you will find that a hydraulic unit will cost a lot more.
They both need power to operate, so a hydraulic unit isn’t going to help conserve battery power (not sure about the power consumption between the linear drive and the hydraulic pump…).
On edit, I see you titled this Hunter 320…so maybe that is the boat you are going to add the AP to…not the Pearson 27 in your avatar. But my comments work for either boat.
Greg
I installed a new wheel pilot about 5 years after I got my boat. The new pilot was worse than the one it replaced. The following winter refit, I had a type 1 linear drive installed and we reused the course computer and fluxgate compass.