I need to replace the autopilot for the wheel steering on Mystique, my Catalina 30. I am wondering if anyone has had any experience with a Simrad wheel autopilot. I am specifically considering the Simrad WP30CX, or the Raytheon ST4000. Thanks, Vic
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One 'No' vote for the Simrad
Vic, I installed a then-Navico WP300CX a/p on our Pearson but, after 2 internal electronic failures, I removed it and have it stuffed under the v-berth as a 'back-up' a/p to a CPT unit, which we subsequently relied on a great deal when cruising the Eastern, Central & Western Caribbean. I had earlier found the plastic molded parts did not fit when trying to mount the Navico unit and went thru 2 iterations of getting replacements (neither successful) until I basically had to manufacture my own fix. In fairness to Navico/Simrad, this was also the point when one was acquiring the other - their 'customer service' style over the phone was wretched, made worse by limited follow-thru. After removal, I had the unit inspected & repaired under warranty (the failure was in the touch buttons on the pad), Simrad made it sound like somehow I was the cause of the failure. It was an altogether disappointing experience. Jack
Vic, I installed a then-Navico WP300CX a/p on our Pearson but, after 2 internal electronic failures, I removed it and have it stuffed under the v-berth as a 'back-up' a/p to a CPT unit, which we subsequently relied on a great deal when cruising the Eastern, Central & Western Caribbean. I had earlier found the plastic molded parts did not fit when trying to mount the Navico unit and went thru 2 iterations of getting replacements (neither successful) until I basically had to manufacture my own fix. In fairness to Navico/Simrad, this was also the point when one was acquiring the other - their 'customer service' style over the phone was wretched, made worse by limited follow-thru. After removal, I had the unit inspected & repaired under warranty (the failure was in the touch buttons on the pad), Simrad made it sound like somehow I was the cause of the failure. It was an altogether disappointing experience. Jack
One vote "Yes" for ST4000+
I, too, have a C-30 & just installed an Autohelm ST4000+ about 3 months ago. Once you get in calibrated, it's outstanding. It'll keep a course +/- 3 degrees. If you want or need better performance than that, there is an optional Rudder Sensor unit that will allow the 4000 even better accuracy. For my cruising needs, I'm fine with the 3 degree variance. Getting it calibrated was a bit of a process, but well worth the effort. I have it hooked up to my Loran & it hits the waypoint everytime. Allen Schweitzer s/v Drambuie C-30 Hull # 632
I, too, have a C-30 & just installed an Autohelm ST4000+ about 3 months ago. Once you get in calibrated, it's outstanding. It'll keep a course +/- 3 degrees. If you want or need better performance than that, there is an optional Rudder Sensor unit that will allow the 4000 even better accuracy. For my cruising needs, I'm fine with the 3 degree variance. Getting it calibrated was a bit of a process, but well worth the effort. I have it hooked up to my Loran & it hits the waypoint everytime. Allen Schweitzer s/v Drambuie C-30 Hull # 632
Love our Simrad!
Vic: We love our Simrad. It was easy to install and easy to use. I also have had the keys stick. Mine unstuck and it has been fine ever since. I think that there were some items that they had addressed with the units one was the keys and the other was a belt issue. The unit has a 2 yr mfg. warranty too. There have been a lot of good things on the site about the Navico/Simrad products over the last couple of years. I believe that they have slightly better specs than the Raymarine units, but as we all know, it really only makes a difference if it works for you. If you get one, get the remote control unit too.
Vic: We love our Simrad. It was easy to install and easy to use. I also have had the keys stick. Mine unstuck and it has been fine ever since. I think that there were some items that they had addressed with the units one was the keys and the other was a belt issue. The unit has a 2 yr mfg. warranty too. There have been a lot of good things on the site about the Navico/Simrad products over the last couple of years. I believe that they have slightly better specs than the Raymarine units, but as we all know, it really only makes a difference if it works for you. If you get one, get the remote control unit too.
Simrad pilot is good.
I purchased my WP-300CX about a year ago when Sailnet had them on sale. As Steve said, there were two problems. Had them both -- sticking belt drive and sticking keys. Both were engineering problems which I suspect all units had (I tried 2 different units and both had the problems). Fortunately, the service center for Simrad is here locally in Ft.Lauderdale and the technician was most helpful; he fixed the unit while I waited in about 30 minutes. Since that time the autopilot has performed perfectly and I use it almost every day. The fix consisted of cutting around a plastic bezel on each key; and replacing the belt with a new redesigned belt from the factory. The current draw is also very low. I recommend the unit. Henry
I purchased my WP-300CX about a year ago when Sailnet had them on sale. As Steve said, there were two problems. Had them both -- sticking belt drive and sticking keys. Both were engineering problems which I suspect all units had (I tried 2 different units and both had the problems). Fortunately, the service center for Simrad is here locally in Ft.Lauderdale and the technician was most helpful; he fixed the unit while I waited in about 30 minutes. Since that time the autopilot has performed perfectly and I use it almost every day. The fix consisted of cutting around a plastic bezel on each key; and replacing the belt with a new redesigned belt from the factory. The current draw is also very low. I recommend the unit. Henry
I have a Simrad WP10...
... on my Hunter 31, and it works great. It was easy to install and is easy to use, looks nice, all self-contained and just about no maintenance. Holds course extremely well. The WP10 is similar to the WP30 but without the GPS/NMEA interface. My boat displaces about 10,000 pounds and the WP30 will handle even a larger boat. Best $700 I ever spent. I have not experienced any of the sticky keys or other problems detailed in previous replies. Of course, prices go down, and you can probably get the WP30 for the same amount that I spent on my WP10 two years ago.
... on my Hunter 31, and it works great. It was easy to install and is easy to use, looks nice, all self-contained and just about no maintenance. Holds course extremely well. The WP10 is similar to the WP30 but without the GPS/NMEA interface. My boat displaces about 10,000 pounds and the WP30 will handle even a larger boat. Best $700 I ever spent. I have not experienced any of the sticky keys or other problems detailed in previous replies. Of course, prices go down, and you can probably get the WP30 for the same amount that I spent on my WP10 two years ago.
Navico compatibility
Jack, I have a Navico auto Pilot as well. Do you know if the Simrad instruments are compatible with en existing Navico units?
Jack, I have a Navico auto Pilot as well. Do you know if the Simrad instruments are compatible with en existing Navico units?
If you have a flat pedestal
Both these autopilots were designed to fit a cylindrical pedestal. If you have a flat pedestal you will need addtional adapter to use and perhaps even a longer wheel shaft. Neither company will exchange the cylinder part for a flat pedestal adapter.
Both these autopilots were designed to fit a cylindrical pedestal. If you have a flat pedestal you will need addtional adapter to use and perhaps even a longer wheel shaft. Neither company will exchange the cylinder part for a flat pedestal adapter.
Why I went with the ST4000+
I spent a lot of time debating the Simrad/Raymarine issue. Let me say at the outset that my boat (Pearson 422) at 22,000 lb is well above the specified size for either pilot. I gambled with a wheelpilot on the basis that the boat is very well balanced with very little weather helm at 25 knots. (Not like my old Hunter 34!) I finally chose the ST4000+ over the Simrad despite the fact that the max. torque specs on the Simrad were better. The reason came down to compatibility with my ST60 instruments, and the ability to call on SeaTalk data from other instruments, for example the ST60 wind, for steering to the wind. The digital display was to me a great advantage, and can show NMEA and SeaTalk data. There is no doubt that the Simrad is easier to install. How does it perform on an oversize vessel? Fantastic. Even in 25+ knots it is hardly working at all, and steers a much better course than I could. Now I haven't been in 12 foot following seas with it, but for my coastal cruising needs I think it is just fine. If the weather really gets bad I'll steer by hand! The hardest part was mounting the control head. I wanted it at the pedestal but not at eye level while steering. I ended up with an Edson 831-100 mount and a NavPod PP31 swivelling pod. I found that the NavPod swivel mechanism is made from a standard nylon thru-hull (!!) I threw away the square Navpod base and machined a white half inch thick teflon disk for a base, machined the appropriate size hole in the Edson mount, and joined the three parts with another thru-hull from Boat-US. The photo shows the result - neat and clean with no wiring showing. Derek
I spent a lot of time debating the Simrad/Raymarine issue. Let me say at the outset that my boat (Pearson 422) at 22,000 lb is well above the specified size for either pilot. I gambled with a wheelpilot on the basis that the boat is very well balanced with very little weather helm at 25 knots. (Not like my old Hunter 34!) I finally chose the ST4000+ over the Simrad despite the fact that the max. torque specs on the Simrad were better. The reason came down to compatibility with my ST60 instruments, and the ability to call on SeaTalk data from other instruments, for example the ST60 wind, for steering to the wind. The digital display was to me a great advantage, and can show NMEA and SeaTalk data. There is no doubt that the Simrad is easier to install. How does it perform on an oversize vessel? Fantastic. Even in 25+ knots it is hardly working at all, and steers a much better course than I could. Now I haven't been in 12 foot following seas with it, but for my coastal cruising needs I think it is just fine. If the weather really gets bad I'll steer by hand! The hardest part was mounting the control head. I wanted it at the pedestal but not at eye level while steering. I ended up with an Edson 831-100 mount and a NavPod PP31 swivelling pod. I found that the NavPod swivel mechanism is made from a standard nylon thru-hull (!!) I threw away the square Navpod base and machined a white half inch thick teflon disk for a base, machined the appropriate size hole in the Edson mount, and joined the three parts with another thru-hull from Boat-US. The photo shows the result - neat and clean with no wiring showing. Derek
Attachments
To Allen on Drambuie
I have a newly installed ST4000 MK II on my Cat30 Patriot. I would sure like to get the settings you used. I am having trouble getting mine to stop snaking when at sea at speeds over 4 kts. Thanks Bob rberry@att.net
I have a newly installed ST4000 MK II on my Cat30 Patriot. I would sure like to get the settings you used. I am having trouble getting mine to stop snaking when at sea at speeds over 4 kts. Thanks Bob rberry@att.net
To Henry Weber
According to the catalog I have, the Simrad WP30CX appears to be direct drive. There are no belts shown. Does this unit actually have a belt? Thanks, Vic
According to the catalog I have, the Simrad WP30CX appears to be direct drive. There are no belts shown. Does this unit actually have a belt? Thanks, Vic
For Vic, --belt on WP30CX
Vic The unit is indeed all-in-one enclosed. There is a belt. The belt is housed under the cover which attaches to the boats wheel. It is this belt that would intermittently lockup even though the autopilot was disengaged. It locks your steering! I found this most annoying while entering the Hillsboro inlet with breaking waves from astern. The new design belt corrected the problem. Henry
Vic The unit is indeed all-in-one enclosed. There is a belt. The belt is housed under the cover which attaches to the boats wheel. It is this belt that would intermittently lockup even though the autopilot was disengaged. It locks your steering! I found this most annoying while entering the Hillsboro inlet with breaking waves from astern. The new design belt corrected the problem. Henry
Simrad WP30 is the easier solution
I just put a Simrad WP30 on my 1984 C-30 a few months ago. The install was very easy considering the unit is all self contained (compass, motor, and control panel). Two bolts secure the unit to the pedestal, run the wires down the guard (that was the hardest part, drilling the stainless and fishing wires below). The only finishing detail I had to do was enlarge a hole in the units mounting piece to accommodate the existing nut on the pedestal. The best place to purchase is either Sailnet when they run a special, or BoatersWorld.com (they may not charge sales tax and shipping if you are not in their state).
I just put a Simrad WP30 on my 1984 C-30 a few months ago. The install was very easy considering the unit is all self contained (compass, motor, and control panel). Two bolts secure the unit to the pedestal, run the wires down the guard (that was the hardest part, drilling the stainless and fishing wires below). The only finishing detail I had to do was enlarge a hole in the units mounting piece to accommodate the existing nut on the pedestal. The best place to purchase is either Sailnet when they run a special, or BoatersWorld.com (they may not charge sales tax and shipping if you are not in their state).
Simrad WP 30
Hi Mark: Please let me know if you are satisfied with the Simrad's performance. Thanks, Vic
Hi Mark: Please let me know if you are satisfied with the Simrad's performance. Thanks, Vic
Simrad
Vic, I work in the industry, you want a Simrad. As a dealer our support from Raymarine is very poor, lots of customer complaints and poor support through their help line. With Simrad I've had nothing but good things to say, our tech we work with agrees.
Vic, I work in the industry, you want a Simrad. As a dealer our support from Raymarine is very poor, lots of customer complaints and poor support through their help line. With Simrad I've had nothing but good things to say, our tech we work with agrees.
Love it!!!
Hey Vic, It is the greatest, I could not think of a way to make it better (get it for free, maybe). When I ordered mine this past spring, they had a promotional going for a free wired remote. It has the keypad buttons, as on the unit with a 15 foot cord. I placed the plug at the nav station and the remote will run up past the mast if need be. Kinda nice as I can go below and still steer the boat, or with a little planning take the remote up and sit on the bow (while motoring in a wide open area, leave some room for error). It is a great addition to my C-30.
Hey Vic, It is the greatest, I could not think of a way to make it better (get it for free, maybe). When I ordered mine this past spring, they had a promotional going for a free wired remote. It has the keypad buttons, as on the unit with a 15 foot cord. I placed the plug at the nav station and the remote will run up past the mast if need be. Kinda nice as I can go below and still steer the boat, or with a little planning take the remote up and sit on the bow (while motoring in a wide open area, leave some room for error). It is a great addition to my C-30.
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