raymarine ST4000 autopilot conversion

[luken7]

Old day all. We have an ST4000 wheel autopilot which I think is grossly underpowered for our Bene361 and I'm thinking about a below deck system. Has anyone converted their wheel pilot to a linear drive but kept the existing control head? Is that even possible? I guess I've got the itch to do something.

 

[kappykaplan]

Tony, I found the XP-5 to be grossly underpowered for my Pearson 37 - at about 22K lbs full displacement, it couldn't hold long enough for me to balance the sails after a tack. I replaced it with a type 1 linear drive and have no regrets. I suppose you could use the old control head, but the kit I got from Defender had a new one. You'll also probably want to get a rudder angle kit.

 

[suttonski]

Hi, I have a Beneteau 361 with ST4000 wheel autopilot and I also find it inappropriate for my sailboat. I bought a Raymarine EV200 with a Type 1 electric linear drive which I am planning to install this spring following Beneteau's diagram attached. I have ordered Beneteau's part for this installation but I am not sure if I will go ahead with the install because I wanted to move to a Beneteau 423 since last year but the market was not very good and no one showed up. Last weekend I had 2 persons that visited my sailboat so I have put my project on hold. If I sell my 361 I will keep the Raymarine EV200 kit for the 423 and will sell the Beneteau installation kit. If I proceed with the install I will send you picture and tell you how it is performing.

 

[Philip_Oceanis 361]

I wanted to move to a Beneteau 423 since last year .

Not only we have same boats but like similar models too!!!
Yes, the Beneteau 423 is a great model (for me) if you want something bigger than the "compromise" of a 393 which is also a nice model.

PS: The 473 is even better but provided somebody else pays for her running expenses......

 

[Philip_Oceanis 361]

Old day all. We have an ST4000 wheel autopilot which I think is grossly underpowered for our Bene361 and I'm thinking about a below deck system. Has anyone converted their wheel pilot to a linear drive but kept the existing control head? Is that even possible? I guess I've got the itch to do something.

I went from ST4000 to linear type 1 for my Ben361 some years ago. If I remember well, you cannot keep the ST4000 controller. To use a below deck pilot you need the SPX10 course computer (or SPX5 for the wheel autopilot) that needs a separate controller (eg ST6002) to drive the unit (type 1). The old ST4000 controller incorporates the course computer within the control unit. That's why now you have only a controller and a drive.
You could instal the X5 wheel pilot (only the pilot not the SPX5 computer) and drive it using your current ST4000 controller or replace everything (controller, drive unit, course computer). Similarly if you want to install the linear type unit the ST6002 controller is required, plus the drive unit plus the SPX10 course controller.

PS: The difference ST4000 vs below deck is HUGE.

 

[luken7]

Thanks all. After ,ore research I think I'm going to do a full new system. I believe the EV200 with linear drive.