I have installed a Raymarine ST4000+ on may Catalina 30 but have never been able to get it to perform properly, I have been trouble shooting this for 3 seasons now and just sent the unit back to Raymarine to be checked out. I am only able to sail for a few minutes using the autohelm before it begins to wander, sometimes it will wander as much as 25 to 30 degrees off course. No amount of fine tuning (based on Raymarine's advice) seems to help. I am curious to know where other C30 owners with this unit have installed the fluxgate compass, mine is installed at the base of the mast support. Raymarine says this unit is installed on Hundreds of C30s and they have never had this complaint before. Is there anyone out there who can help.
- Status
My Experience
J, I have had an ST4000+ MkII autopilot on my C-30 SR, fin keel for a few seasons now. Here's what I've learned for my boat: 1. Keep rudder gain & response levels on 2. 2. Take advantage of the "nth" setting to help compensate for irregular magnetic conditions in northern latitudes. 3. Keep your compass away from metal. 4. Keep your steering cables COMPLETELY free of any play. Keep them tight. I had loose steering cables & once I tightened them up the whole system really started to work well. Before I tightened the cables, my autopilot would hunt +/- 5 degrees, and gradually build to +/- 40 degrees if I let it go that long...and that was while under power!! While your unit is being checked out by Raymarine, take a quick look at your steering cables, make sure your quadrant doesn't have any play in it and make sure your rudder doesn't shift from side to side on the stock. Good luck. Please let us know how you make out. I've been pretty happy with my AH, and I hope you are, too. Allen Schweitzer s/v Falstaff C-30 Hull# 632
J, I have had an ST4000+ MkII autopilot on my C-30 SR, fin keel for a few seasons now. Here's what I've learned for my boat: 1. Keep rudder gain & response levels on 2. 2. Take advantage of the "nth" setting to help compensate for irregular magnetic conditions in northern latitudes. 3. Keep your compass away from metal. 4. Keep your steering cables COMPLETELY free of any play. Keep them tight. I had loose steering cables & once I tightened them up the whole system really started to work well. Before I tightened the cables, my autopilot would hunt +/- 5 degrees, and gradually build to +/- 40 degrees if I let it go that long...and that was while under power!! While your unit is being checked out by Raymarine, take a quick look at your steering cables, make sure your quadrant doesn't have any play in it and make sure your rudder doesn't shift from side to side on the stock. Good luck. Please let us know how you make out. I've been pretty happy with my AH, and I hope you are, too. Allen Schweitzer s/v Falstaff C-30 Hull# 632
- Status