Raymarine smartpilot X5 wheel pilot

[Terry in Naples]

I am wanting a newer autopilot as I am still using the Autohelm 3000 witht he belt drive. It works ok but it is hard to get out the belt and hook it all up and then walkl around it all day. I wanted a more self contained unit and with the sales on now thought it would be a good time.. I am getting mixed reviews on the new Wheel pilot from raymarine. The smart pilot wheel pilot X5. Would like some other user opinions. Now on line prices $1060 at Defender. pretty good I think.
Terry

 

[higgs]

The PO of my present boat had installed a below deck system with an electric linear drive. They are a lot more, but a lot better. I can use it in following seas quite effectively, though i will admit that my full keel probably makes it work a lot less than on a fin keeler. I know a guy with a C 36 who says it handles situations a wheel pilot could not.

 

[seadaddler]

Wheel Drive

I am pretty sure they all still use the wheel motor drive except if you get the option of below drive.
I have the S1 auto that still uses the wheel drive on my H-36 and most times if I don't over power it with too much sail and reef in heavy winds it does a great job,if I ever see some photo's of how a below deck unit is installed I may add one but happy with my S1 for now.
All the newer auto have computers and do a better job.
Nick

 

[Tim R.]

The S1 and X5 basically use the same wheel drive unit(MKII) out of the box. I believe the control head is also the same(6002?). The computer is very similar except the X5 has a built in rate gyro that can be added to the S1.

I have the S1 that I replaced an ST4000+ with. I am very happy with it's performance. If you can still find an S1 they should be very cheap. I got mine this year for about $650.

 

[DavenDebbie]

I have the X5 on my Hunter Vision 32, medium displacement, fin keel, spade rudder. It is a more compact unit, nothing protrudes past the wheel. It works very well in calmer waters, but I sail the Pacific out of San Francisco. After a little over one hundred hours, a lot of it in 12 -17 ft following seas with 30+ kt winds, the gearbox in the drive unit gave up. The gears stripped. Raymarine repaired it (not replaced) with no problems, since it was only 7 months old, (it has a 2 yr warranty). It took 4 weeks to the day, from the time they received it till I got it back. Otherwise a good deal for the price and what it is. All wheel pilots are pretty weak and have limitations. Anyone have a windvane for sale, cheap?

 

[sailaway78]

A bargain

I agree with Tim. The only difference between the S1 and the X5, is the X5 has the built in rate gyro, and does not need the rudder sensor. If you can still find one, the S1 will be a real bargain. You will have to mount the rudder sensor with the S1, which from experience can be a royal PITA.

 

[rpwillia]

Not if you got Paul J's rig

The only difference between the S1 and the X5, is the X5 has the built in rate gyro, and does not need the rudder sensor. If you can still find one, the S1 will be a real bargain. You will have to mount the rudder sensor with the S1, which from experience can be a royal PITA.

Check out this picture. PaulJ on the 310 forum designed this for his boat, shared the plans with me and it worked out great. Took me about an hour to make it and about 20 minutes to install.

 

[Tim R.]

Oh yeah, I forgot about the RPS.

That 310 design is pretty fancy. Mine is a lot simpler as I screwed the RPS upside down onto the bottom of the cockpit sole and then attached the ball joint to the Quadrant using some Bronze screws and starboard.

 

[Maine Sail]

Oh yeah, I forgot about the RPS.

That 310 design is pretty fancy. Mine is a lot simpler as I screwed the RPS upside down onto the bottom of the cockpit sole and then attached the ball joint to the Quadrant using some Bronze screws and starboard.

I also installed an RPS on a Catalina 310 and it went very, very easy. Many ways to skin the cat. Even with an X5 I would still want an RPS..

 

[Les]

I had installed the Raymarine X5 autopilot when I bought my present Hunter 27 in late 2008. However delivery of the autopilot was slow and we didn't get it until just a year ago. However, it has worked well under sail and power this summer and doesn't appear to use much power. It seems to "learn" the boat--at first it deviated quite a bit from the desired course. Now when i use it is pretty much holds the boat on course with little or no wandering. I've not had any problems to date.