My boat came with a Navico wheel pilot. I tried using it once and found a rats nest of wires all over the cockpit, stripped sheet metal screw to hold the drive motor bracket to the pedestal, poor alignment of the belt pulleys, and in general it was such a pain in the A__ that I haven't used it since. That was six years ago. Has anyone else used one of these and what is your opinion and advice? To me it is like a toy and I'm wondering if I should just remove the whole mess and save the space and weight. They are no longer supported and Navico has changed hands so at about 14 years old its' value is pretty minimal, but it is in brand new condition, the first owner didn't seem to use it either. Having an autopilot seems like a nice convenience but my gut feel is to do it right with a below deck, quadrant mounted system. Some of the new wheel unit are compact and self contained also. any experience out there with those? thanks, dave
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jamie
auto pilot
I purchase a navico (simrad)wheel pilot last year,the cheap one that does not hook up to the gps wind etc. I think it is the best thing i have purchased for the boat. It allows me to go out single handed andwhen my wife and i are cruising it lets me tweek the sails and do other things other than stand at the helm. this model is very easy to install maybe 2hrs. and works just great eaven in heavier seas
I purchase a navico (simrad)wheel pilot last year,the cheap one that does not hook up to the gps wind etc. I think it is the best thing i have purchased for the boat. It allows me to go out single handed andwhen my wife and i are cruising it lets me tweek the sails and do other things other than stand at the helm. this model is very easy to install maybe 2hrs. and works just great eaven in heavier seas
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Ed Schenck
What displacement?
Like Jamie I have a newer Navico(Simrad) self-contained wheel mounted WP30. Unlike Jamie mine has all the wiring for GPS, wind, etc. It works very well on a boat with a displ. of 18000#. But from your description it sounds like you have one of those early models where the motor box was mounted low on the pedestal with a long belt to the wheel pulley? Should not be too difficult to resurrect this. My decision for installing a less expensive wheel mounted unit was based on two factors: my plan is to go offshore so I want the "expensive" steerer to be a wind vane. Meanwhile, for the Great Lakes and coastal cruising the wheel mount is very adequate. And it uses much less battery than the heavier duty below-deck models.
Like Jamie I have a newer Navico(Simrad) self-contained wheel mounted WP30. Unlike Jamie mine has all the wiring for GPS, wind, etc. It works very well on a boat with a displ. of 18000#. But from your description it sounds like you have one of those early models where the motor box was mounted low on the pedestal with a long belt to the wheel pulley? Should not be too difficult to resurrect this. My decision for installing a less expensive wheel mounted unit was based on two factors: my plan is to go offshore so I want the "expensive" steerer to be a wind vane. Meanwhile, for the Great Lakes and coastal cruising the wheel mount is very adequate. And it uses much less battery than the heavier duty below-deck models.
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TOM MCNAMARA
auto pilot
after four boats without auto pilot[although they were trawlers]i bought a new,1999,450 that came with auto pilot,auto furling,power winch for sails,power winch for anchoring,and i purchased remotes for auto pilot and anchor. i knew very little about sailing except schooling and practical application. i now can handle this boat alone and i am 70 years old. another goody is my pc and the "CAPN" that makes planing a trip ann.y.d following it on screen a snap. i have yet to face bad seas and probobly will with my planned trip to the islands. so if you never hear from me again youll know what happened. i also live aboard in n.y. and sailing the hellgate and east river and not to mention the raunte at orient pt, i think i am doing well. i forgot what the question was mcbubba720@aol.com
after four boats without auto pilot[although they were trawlers]i bought a new,1999,450 that came with auto pilot,auto furling,power winch for sails,power winch for anchoring,and i purchased remotes for auto pilot and anchor. i knew very little about sailing except schooling and practical application. i now can handle this boat alone and i am 70 years old. another goody is my pc and the "CAPN" that makes planing a trip ann.y.d following it on screen a snap. i have yet to face bad seas and probobly will with my planned trip to the islands. so if you never hear from me again youll know what happened. i also live aboard in n.y. and sailing the hellgate and east river and not to mention the raunte at orient pt, i think i am doing well. i forgot what the question was mcbubba720@aol.com
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Terry arnold
Navico Autopilot model?
What is the model? I may be interested in buying it if it is a wheelpilot 5000. tgarnold1@msn.com
What is the model? I may be interested in buying it if it is a wheelpilot 5000. tgarnold1@msn.com
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david lewis
Wheel pilots
The navico unit I have uses an electric motor at the base of the pedestal with a belt around the motor pulley and a large pulley bolted to the wheel spokes. In short there is all kinds of open belts and claptrap involved in this system. Pulleys need to be aligned to prevent side loading and belt wear, motor is in the way for walking in the cockpit, wires go from the motor to a plug in the cockpit and more wires from the control unit to the motor so there is a tripping hazard everywhere. It sounds lime they've made a lot of progress on their designs. The boat is 11,500 pounds displacement plus gear, fuel, and water...assume 12,500 pounds thanks, dave
The navico unit I have uses an electric motor at the base of the pedestal with a belt around the motor pulley and a large pulley bolted to the wheel spokes. In short there is all kinds of open belts and claptrap involved in this system. Pulleys need to be aligned to prevent side loading and belt wear, motor is in the way for walking in the cockpit, wires go from the motor to a plug in the cockpit and more wires from the control unit to the motor so there is a tripping hazard everywhere. It sounds lime they've made a lot of progress on their designs. The boat is 11,500 pounds displacement plus gear, fuel, and water...assume 12,500 pounds thanks, dave
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Ed Schenck
Upgrade?
That style is still in production. CBT is one company, I think. But if you want something for around $999. then there seem to be two choices, the Simrad WP30 and the Raytheon Autohelm 4000. When I bought my Simrad it was still a Navico and was rated over 19000. Now I see it rated as 16000, same as the A4000. The other difference is the A4000 has a display that has to be mounted(and wires run) and a separate compass that has to be mounted below decks(and wires run). The WP30 is completely self-contained, see picture(http://www.sailnet.com/store/item.cfm?pid=8604), and is easily installed. Right now the A4000 is on sale for $899. I see. The expense of a below decks unit mounted to a quandrant would seem like overkill for such a light boat, probably over $3000.
That style is still in production. CBT is one company, I think. But if you want something for around $999. then there seem to be two choices, the Simrad WP30 and the Raytheon Autohelm 4000. When I bought my Simrad it was still a Navico and was rated over 19000. Now I see it rated as 16000, same as the A4000. The other difference is the A4000 has a display that has to be mounted(and wires run) and a separate compass that has to be mounted below decks(and wires run). The WP30 is completely self-contained, see picture(http://www.sailnet.com/store/item.cfm?pid=8604), and is easily installed. Right now the A4000 is on sale for $899. I see. The expense of a below decks unit mounted to a quandrant would seem like overkill for such a light boat, probably over $3000.
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Dave Winiker
Navico Wheel Pilot
There was a working Navico WP4000 on our Hunter 31 when we acquired our it last August. We've used it several times for short periods (10-15 mins.)while cruising in the lower Chesapeake Bay. I would not, however, rely on it while maneuvering in restricted waters as it seems to have a mind of its own and occasionally changes course for no apparent reason.
There was a working Navico WP4000 on our Hunter 31 when we acquired our it last August. We've used it several times for short periods (10-15 mins.)while cruising in the lower Chesapeake Bay. I would not, however, rely on it while maneuvering in restricted waters as it seems to have a mind of its own and occasionally changes course for no apparent reason.
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Steve O.
Navico WP
I have a Navico WP of the same vintage and I feel about the same way as Dave does. I could never get the damn belt aligned right, the motor mounted right, etc. and it had a tendency to want to do 360s. Too bad, I would really enjoy having one taht worked but can't afford $1,000 right now.
I have a Navico WP of the same vintage and I feel about the same way as Dave does. I could never get the damn belt aligned right, the motor mounted right, etc. and it had a tendency to want to do 360s. Too bad, I would really enjoy having one taht worked but can't afford $1,000 right now.
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Tim Schaaf
Patience....
Those cockpit pilots can work very well...I have two Autohelm 3000's, one from 1985, and my "new" one from 1990. They have each done thousands of miles on a 12,000 lb boat (loaded), much of it offshore in the Pacific. I have only had to replace ONE belt. But the key is alignment. I try NEVER to remove the mount as it takes me about four hours of fiddling to get it re-aligned. I adjust, then work the wheel back and forth for about two minutes, see where the belt is, adjust, run it for two minutes, etc., until the belt stays in the same place. Anything less leads to bad results. Incidentally, I leave my pilot permanently mounted, but covered when not in use. The other thing is battery voltage. Low voltage can screw up its brains...and low voltage can come from poor contacts. Bet that is why some of those people's boats go in circles. Final comment.....I would echo the guy who talked about using a windvane. I love my Autohelms, but felt like chucking them overboard after sea-trialing my Monitor wind-vane. By the way, a wind vane is fine for local sailing, not just blue water stuff. Just keep an eye out for it to change headings to follow wind-shifts. But resurrect the Navico.....WITH PATIENCE!!!
Those cockpit pilots can work very well...I have two Autohelm 3000's, one from 1985, and my "new" one from 1990. They have each done thousands of miles on a 12,000 lb boat (loaded), much of it offshore in the Pacific. I have only had to replace ONE belt. But the key is alignment. I try NEVER to remove the mount as it takes me about four hours of fiddling to get it re-aligned. I adjust, then work the wheel back and forth for about two minutes, see where the belt is, adjust, run it for two minutes, etc., until the belt stays in the same place. Anything less leads to bad results. Incidentally, I leave my pilot permanently mounted, but covered when not in use. The other thing is battery voltage. Low voltage can screw up its brains...and low voltage can come from poor contacts. Bet that is why some of those people's boats go in circles. Final comment.....I would echo the guy who talked about using a windvane. I love my Autohelms, but felt like chucking them overboard after sea-trialing my Monitor wind-vane. By the way, a wind vane is fine for local sailing, not just blue water stuff. Just keep an eye out for it to change headings to follow wind-shifts. But resurrect the Navico.....WITH PATIENCE!!!
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