Good Afternoon, I have a 2001 Hunter 290 with a Ray Marine ST4000+ wheel autopilot. The wheel assemble is slowly breaking, with 4 wheels which have broken off, and the sheer pin on the clutch has broken several times and the hole in the lever is now round. I have repaired all of the and bought some SS pins so the unit does work, but would not trust it going through NY Harbor, up the East River or on a long cruise. It’s OK for day sailing on the Hudson River.
I am looking into replacing it and looking for advice on the best approach going forward. There are 3 options as I see it. Option 1 Simple buy a new Wheel unit. The downside as I see it is that the electrics are old, original to the boat and the autopilot actually says Raython not Ray Marine. Is it worth spending $500 plus on a new wheel?
Option 2 would be to buy a new up to date wheel pilot for about $1500 or so. The downside for me is the incessant noise the wheel pilot makes. The reason the current one lasted 18 years is that I don’t use it when I am sailing as it drives me nuts. I use it when motoring, or rising / lowering the sails or going below but not when I am just sailing. Also I should note that I sail single handed 99% of the time.
Option 3 would be to buy a new linear drive autopilot and move the noise down below, with the downside being cost at about double $3000 and a 29 ft boat might be on the small side for a linear drive.
What are your thoughts, what would you suggest/recommend. Thanks
I am looking into replacing it and looking for advice on the best approach going forward. There are 3 options as I see it. Option 1 Simple buy a new Wheel unit. The downside as I see it is that the electrics are old, original to the boat and the autopilot actually says Raython not Ray Marine. Is it worth spending $500 plus on a new wheel?
Option 2 would be to buy a new up to date wheel pilot for about $1500 or so. The downside for me is the incessant noise the wheel pilot makes. The reason the current one lasted 18 years is that I don’t use it when I am sailing as it drives me nuts. I use it when motoring, or rising / lowering the sails or going below but not when I am just sailing. Also I should note that I sail single handed 99% of the time.
Option 3 would be to buy a new linear drive autopilot and move the noise down below, with the downside being cost at about double $3000 and a 29 ft boat might be on the small side for a linear drive.
What are your thoughts, what would you suggest/recommend. Thanks