It's never easy. Autopilot install.

[SycloneDriver]

I started installing a Raymarine autopilot on my 2008 Beneteau today. The 1st thing I ran into was the wheel spokes are too large to use the rubber bushings. The spokes are at least 19mm and the larger bushings are 16mm. I just skipped the bushings.

Next I found that the pedestal diameter is larger than the torque restraint is designed for and the drive motor will touch the pedestal if I install the pin parallel to the wheel shaft. I'm tempted to have a custom torque restraint made or just offset it slightly.

Anyone have a better idea?

 

[kappykaplan]

Anyone have a better idea?

Nope - sure am glad I switched to a type 1 linear drive (below deck) auto pilot a while back.

 

[joker460]

Just a thought. If you have access to a 3d printer, you could make up a spacer to fill the gap.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Holy caramba ! That is one mighty meaty wheel, matey. Sure you didn't just borrow that off a D-12 Caterpillar Bulldozer ?

Interesting as I just completed rebuilding and installing my Raymarine Mk 1 Autopilot last week. And I thought "I" had problems. Looks like I got off easy.

Am I right in saying you managed to fit the spoke on to the outer ring. Looks like they're at least in there :

Maybe try a wrap or two of black electrical tape in the middle to ensure the ring doesn't move on the spokes over time.

Next I found that the pedestal diameter is larger than the torque restraint

It just doesn't end :

As far as filling the gap, what about rolling this stuff into a flat plate :

................ place it on the pedestal, and then use screws to pull it onto the pedestal and fills the gap. Of course, you'll want to remove the torque restraint at some time so neatly wrap the pedestal with a small piece of thick poly sheeting before pressing the putty. Nothing sticks to polyethylene. You're going to want to experiment with this one before installing. I think you may require more than one order of putty. The putty could be painted the same colour as the restraint.

and the drive motor will touch the pedestal if I install the pin parallel to the wheel shaft.

I'm new in town (and have a Mk 1) so could you provide some detail/pictures as to why the motor can't be swung somewhat to avoid touching the pedestal ? Which pin ? The Mk 1 could be swung to clear it but sounds like the Mk 2 is not so obliging.

 

[BigEasy]

Next I found that the pedestal diameter is larger than the torque restraint is designed for and the drive motor will touch the pedestal if I install the pin parallel to the wheel shaft. I'm tempted to have a custom torque restraint made or just offset it slightly.

Beneteau did indeed use a custom plate on 343 models instead of the bracket supplied by Raymarine, Perhaps you could get a copy from Beneteau.

 

[MikeHoncho]

You paid a lot for it.I hope Raymarine will offer support for there product.

 

[SycloneDriver]

Nope - sure am glad I switched to a type 1 linear drive (below deck) auto pilot a while back.

I considered a linear drive this time, the trim under the pedestal is already setup for it. But the cost was just more than I could justify.

 

[SycloneDriver]

Just a thought. If you have access to a 3d printer, you could make up a spacer to fill the gap.

I don't have access to a 3d printer but I do know an excellent metal fabricator.

 

[SycloneDriver]

Holy caramba ! That is one mighty meaty wheel, matey. Sure you didn't just borrow that off a D-12 Caterpillar Bulldozer ?

Interesting as I just completed rebuilding and installing my Raymarine Mk 1 Autopilot last week. And I thought "I" had problems. Looks like I got off easy.

Am I right in saying you managed to fit the spoke on to the outer ring. Looks like they're at least in there :

View attachment 211348

Maybe try a wrap or two of black electrical tape in the middle to ensure the ring doesn't move on the spokes over time.



It just doesn't end :

View attachment 211352


As far as filling the gap, what about rolling this stuff into a flat plate :

View attachment 211350

................ place it on the pedestal, and then use screws to pull it onto the pedestal and fills the gap. Of course, you'll want to remove the torque restraint at some time so neatly wrap the pedestal with a small piece of thick poly sheeting before pressing the putty. Nothing sticks to polyethylene. You're going to want to experiment with this one before installing. I think you may require more than one order of putty. The putty could be painted the same colour as the restraint.



I'm new in town (and have a Mk 1) so could you provide some detail/pictures as to why the motor can't be swung somewhat to avoid touching the pedestal ? Which pin ? The Mk 1 could be swung to clear it but sounds like the Mk 2 is not so obliging.
[/QUOTE
The epoxy puddy is a possibility.

Holy caramba ! That is one mighty meaty wheel, matey. Sure you didn't just borrow that off a D-12 Caterpillar Bulldozer ?

Interesting as I just completed rebuilding and installing my Raymarine Mk 1 Autopilot last week. And I thought "I" had problems. Looks like I got off easy.

Am I right in saying you managed to fit the spoke on to the outer ring. Looks like they're at least in there :

View attachment 211348

Maybe try a wrap or two of black electrical tape in the middle to ensure the ring doesn't move on the spokes over time.



It just doesn't end :

View attachment 211352


As far as filling the gap, what about rolling this stuff into a flat plate :

View attachment 211350

................ place it on the pedestal, and then use screws to pull it onto the pedestal and fills the gap. Of course, you'll want to remove the torque restraint at some time so neatly wrap the pedestal with a small piece of thick poly sheeting before pressing the putty. Nothing sticks to polyethylene. You're going to want to experiment with this one before installing. I think you may require more than one order of putty. The putty could be painted the same colour as the restraint.



I'm new in town (and have a Mk 1) so could you provide some detail/pictures as to why the motor can't be swung somewhat to avoid touching the pedestal ? Which pin ? The Mk 1 could be swung to clear it but sounds like the Mk 2 is not so obliging.

Holy caramba ! That is one mighty meaty wheel, matey. Sure you didn't just borrow that off a D-12 Caterpillar Bulldozer ?

Interesting as I just completed rebuilding and installing my Raymarine Mk 1 Autopilot last week. And I thought "I" had problems. Looks like I got off easy.

Am I right in saying you managed to fit the spoke on to the outer ring. Looks like they're at least in there :

View attachment 211348

Maybe try a wrap or two of black electrical tape in the middle to ensure the ring doesn't move on the spokes over time.



It just doesn't end :

View attachment 211352


As far as filling the gap, what about rolling this stuff into a flat plate :

View attachment 211350

................ place it on the pedestal, and then use screws to pull it onto the pedestal and fills the gap. Of course, you'll want to remove the torque restraint at some time so neatly wrap the pedestal with a small piece of thick poly sheeting before pressing the putty. Nothing sticks to polyethylene. You're going to want to experiment with this one before installing. I think you may require more than one order of putty. The putty could be painted the same colour as the restraint.



I'm new in town (and have a Mk 1) so could you provide some detail/pictures as to why the motor can't be swung somewhat to avoid touching the pedestal ? Which pin ? The Mk 1 could be swung to clear it but sounds like the Mk 2 is not so obliging.

I might try a few turns of tape but I don't think it's necessary. It's very solid.

The exopy putty is a good idea.


I'm going to have to mount the torque restraint slightly off center to prevent the motor from touching the pedestal. I could rotate it and use to optional hole in the motor ring but it induces a 30 degree error in the compass, and I don't care for it like that.

 

[SycloneDriver]

Beneteau did indeed use a custom plate on 343 models instead of the bracket supplied by Raymarine, Perhaps you could get a copy from Beneteau.

That's an excellent idea.
Thanks

 

[SycloneDriver]

You paid a lot for it.I hope Raymarine will offer support for there product.

Good point. I'll email or call them.

 

[Mark Maulden]

I would not just fill the gap with whatever comes out of a tube. There is a fair amount of torque and that load should be spread across the whole square area. I had the same issue and fabricated a spacer out of starboard. You might have to shorten the “pin”. I might be able to get some pics tomorrow.

 

[SycloneDriver]

After much internet searching I found Raymarine part number E15018 it may solve 2 of the 3 issues. I will still have to mount the restraint at a slight angle to prevent the motor from resting on the pedestal, but I can live with that.

Side note, I found some videos on DIY compass correction. Doesn't seem that difficult. My boat is not in open water and I have only used the compass once to navigate but it was nice that it was accurate enough to help me choose the correct cove entrance. I will have to correct for the error that the autopilot motor will cause.

 

[markwbird]

I did this install. I did not have those same challenges, though. I would be concerned that the wheel installation without the bushings will, eventually, become loose as you use the autopilot. Maybe the bushings can be modified to work. With the installing of the pin on the pedestal I would look at trying to flatten it enough to get it to fit better. That's all I got

 

[SycloneDriver]

Good news. I went to the boat today and discovered that I have a GOIOT pedestal and 22mm spokes. That is exactly what the E15018 kit is for. I will probably still have to mount it at a slight angle, I can live with that.
I'm afraid that pulling the cables though the boat and doing a good job routing them is going to be a problem that is tougher to solve.

 

[Tally Ho]

View attachment 211345View attachment 211346
I started installing a Raymarine autopilot on my 2008 Beneteau today. The 1st thing I ran into was the wheel spokes are too large to use the rubber bushings. The spokes are at least 19mm and the larger bushings are 16mm. I just skipped the bushings.

Next I found that the pedestal diameter is larger than the torque restraint is designed for and the drive motor will touch the pedestal if I install the pin parallel to the wheel shaft. I'm tempted to have a custom torque restraint made or just offset it slightly.

Anyone have a better idea?

Does the 343 use the same pivoting wheel setup that is on the 373? I have never seen a Wheel Pilot installed on one of those pivoting pedestal set ups.

Is the pedestal not round? I don’t think you mount it “off set”. A custom made part should work, but if it was me, I would mount it with the gap…you can always put some putty in there if the gap bothers you. You generally have to cut the pin to fit anyway, so if the base sticks out some, I don’t think it matters. But I don’t understand you comment about the drive motor hitting the pedestal. Is it because the pedestal is not round?

I installed an St6000 last summer, replacing my older ST4000. I added a rudder sensor, which was the biggest headache (I didnt have one before). Almost everything else was fairly easy replacement.

Greg

 

[Mark Maulden]

Here is my pedestal installation

 

[Apex]

Here is my pedestal installation

Sealant is failing....otherwise nice install

 

[SycloneDriver]

Does the 343 use the same pivoting wheel setup that is on the 373? I have never seen a Wheel Pilot installed on one of those pivoting pedestal set ups.

Is the pedestal not round? I don’t think you mount it “off set”. A custom made part should work, but if it was me, I would mount it with the gap…you can always put some putty in there if the gap bothers you. You generally have to cut the pin to fit anyway, so if the base sticks out some, I don’t think it matters. But I don’t understand you comment about the drive motor hitting the pedestal. Is it because the pedestal is not round?

I installed an St6000 last summer, replacing my older ST4000. I added a rudder sensor, which was the biggest headache (I didnt have one before). Almost everything else was fairly easy replacement.

Greg

The pedestal is round but it's bigger. The motor will touche the pedestal if the pin is mounted directly below and in line with the wheel shaft, like it is supposed to be. Maybe the E15018 has an offset built into it, but it doesn't look like it. The kit also contains the 22mm bushings that I need. It's proving difficult to find for a reasonable price though.

On my last boat I replaced a ST4000 with a ST6000. That was easy once I figured out how to mount the rudder position sensor. They worked about the same, I was hoping that the newer unit would work a little better.

 

[Dalliance]

I would reach out to Ray Marine first. This can’t be the first time someone has encountered these issues. They’ll likely have a solution: be it alternate parts, adapters, or some kind of work around.