Autopilot Rambling
Art: The other day I said to a sailing friend of ours that I would sell our boat if I couldn't have the autopilot on it (because that's how attached I've become to it). That probably isn't exactly true, but my wife did not appreciate hearing that at all, but then I've never seen her steer the boat for 35 miles when there is no wind. We really do use the autopilot all the time, and even though our friend said that she considered that "wimpy sailing", I have sailed the boat for enough years that I don't have anything to prove to anyone anymore, including myself. After you get yours installed, spend a little time getting used to it and knowing it. They are very good, but they aren't perfect. We were in Havre de Grace, at the top of the Chesapeake Bay a few weeks ago, and were talking to some "Old Salts" who take their boats to the Bahamas and beyond every winter. We mentioned the 2 problems that we are currently having with our autopilot to them. Keep in mind that their's are also made by Raymarine, but cost $1000s of dollars more than ours. Our first problem is that the autopilot will go into the "Standby" mode for no reason. This only happens about once or twice per 6 hours, but it does happen. They said that they knew this problem well and referred to it as the autopilot "taking a sh..". (You can fill in the missing letters). The other problem that we have occurs when we connect the autopilot to the GPS and let the GPS control it. We have had this working in the past, but not this season. We're still working on this but it's not too big a deal to me, but it is driving my son crazy. So anyway, when you use your new autopilot, and you are sitting against the mast, keep in mind that it isn't perfect, and may have to make a quick visit back to the cockpit. (Also, there are a few places on the water that just seem to confuse it, maybe there's something under the water like high voltage power lines, or something coming from airport radar). These places are few and far between, but they also do exist.By the way, I recommend keeping the remote out of the rain. Ours got very wet a few years ago in a thunderstorm, and we had to return it to Raymarine who quickly fixed it, but one of the buttons has never quite been perfect after that. I don't know if it was the rain or the lightning, but as I said, one of the buttons just isn't perfect. The remote is a wonderful thing too, and you will be able to steer your boat from other places than the cockpit. Relative to your mounting questions, I didn't mount mine the way that I showed in the photos because I was cheap, although I certainly have had my cheap moments. My design objectives were to have the autopilot look good when it was being used, and also to not have the boat look like there was an autopilot installed on it, when it was not being used, (like when we are not on the boat). When mine is taken off, the only thing that remains on the coaming is the stainless steel threaded button. If you need dimensions on that piece, or help making one like it, let me know. If you want me to measure anything shown in my photos, let me know that too. Also, if you want me to take a photo of my current panel that I revised since my previous photos were taken, please reply and I'll take a new photo for you.I think that the wooden piece that I added is about 10 inches long, and there is a maximum recommended length of the rod extension by Raymarine. Mounting it on the coaming would seem to have it out of the boat, instead of in the boat. This would be especially noticable when the boat is heeling toward starboard.I wouldn't even consider mounting it on a pedestal on the seat. The seat hinges aren't strong enough to take the power that the autopilot can easily exert. Do a good job on the wiring, it will be worth your time if you do it right. If you can use the electrical grease on your terminations that would be worthwhile in my opinion. Just ask if you have any more questions. You will be able to enjoy sailing much further soon. We do cruise much further now that we have the autopilot. Aldo