Upgrading Autopilot

smokey73

smokey73

.
Oct 26, 2010
2,160
Hunter 40.5 Beaufort, SC
Hunter 40.5 1994
I currently have an Autohelm ST4000 Autopilot and Autohelm instruments.

As a result of a lightning strike I will be replacing a lot of components and will probably be replacing the autopilot.

Has anyone replaced their autopilot with a newer version? If so what did you go with and why?

Has anyone replaced their autopilot with one of the newer linear drive type units? What did you use for a control head and course computer? If so do you have any pictures of installation?

Insights, installation ease/problems, interface ease/problems, approximate cost, etc.

Thanks in advance
 
jdhohmann

jdhohmann

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Mar 11, 2009
200
Hunter 40 Saint John
Good Morning Smokey.
I replaced all of my electronics 4 years ago on my Hunter 40 Legend. I went with the X-10 Raymarine Linear drive, and I would not change it for the world. It works flawlessly, way better than I ever imagined... The Linear drive needed some mounting add-ons, but it attached very easy to the steering quadrant. The Brain Box was fitted under the Skipper seat, email me and I can get some pictures...
 
smokey73

smokey73

.
Oct 26, 2010
2,160
Hunter 40.5 Beaufort, SC
Sent you a pm

jdhohmann said:
Good Morning Smokey.
I replaced all of my electronics 4 years ago on my Hunter 40 Legend. I went with the X-10 Raymarine Linear drive, and I would not change it for the world. It works flawlessly, way better than I ever imagined... The Linear drive needed some mounting add-ons, but it attached very easy to the steering quadrant. The Brain Box was fitted under the Skipper seat, email me and I can get some pictures...
Click to expand
Sent you a pm and an email (not sure if the email will get through) . I'd like to see your pictures. Not sure how a 40 legend steering layout is similar to a 40.5 but its a great starting point.
 
A

artboas

.
Jun 1, 2009
1,847
Hunter 49 toronto
40.5 pilot install

smokey73 said:
Hunter 40.5 1994
I currently have an Autohelm ST4000 Autopilot and Autohelm instruments.

As a result of a lightning strike I will be replacing a lot of components and will probably be replacing the autopilot.

Has anyone replaced their autopilot with a newer version? If so what did you go with and why?

Has anyone replaced their autopilot with one of the newer linear drive type units? What did you use for a control head and course computer? If so do you have any pictures of installation?

Insights, installation ease/problems, interface ease/problems, approximate cost, etc.

Thanks in advance
Click to expand
The 40.5 was specifially designed to use a rotary drive mounted under the ice chest coupled to the wheel hub. Very robust install
 
smokey73

smokey73

.
Oct 26, 2010
2,160
Hunter 40.5 Beaufort, SC
What is "the Ice chest?

artboas said:
The 40.5 was specifially designed to use a rotary drive mounted under the ice chest coupled to the wheel hub. Very robust install
Click to expand
Guess I don't know what the "ice chest" is? The enclosure around the helm seems pretty large so I suppose that is what you mean. Do you know what manufacturer currently makes a "rotary" drive Autopilot? Mine was a wheel drive but I think its marginally undersized for the 22000 lb 40.5.

Still trying to sort it out so any input on what currently manufactured system would fit the bill.

Thanks
 
Rick D

Rick D

.
Jun 14, 2008
7,188
Hunter Legend 40.5 Shoreline Marina Long Beach CA
Smokey, it's a Raymarine unit (Autohelm when made). I think they still have a rotary available. I have about 2000 hours on mine. Yes, under the drink holder on the pedestal. Any, yes, way oversize for a 4000 unit. Shame to bastardize the boat like that.
 

Attachments

smokey73

smokey73

.
Oct 26, 2010
2,160
Hunter 40.5 Beaufort, SC
Thanks Rick - few more questions?

Rick D said:
Smokey, it's a Raymarine unit (Autohelm when made). I think they still have a rotary available. I have about 2000 hours on mine. Yes, under the drink holder on the pedestal. Any, yes, way oversize for a 4000 unit. Shame to bastardize the boat like that.
Click to expand
Thanks Rick, Yes Raymarine still makes Type 1 and Type 2 Rotary Drives. It looks like the Type 1 is the right size (sailboats up to 24,000 lbs) and it looks a lot like what you have installed (or something very similar). I see in pictures 1 and 2 that the drive is installed at the bottom of the pedestal and has a gear drive already on it. I am not sure what I'm looking at in the last picture? Is the chain something that is already there or is it something that is installed when you install the drive? The top gear looks like it is attached to a shaft, is that the end of the wheel on the inside of the pedestal and is the gear up there already there or do I have to buy one.? I cant take the pedestal apart to look at what I have there until the insurance agent gets down to "confirm it was actually a lighting strike." I'll be going with the newer EVO-200 autopilot and want to use the rotary drive rather than the linear drive, especially since it looks like our boats were built for the rotary drive.

Thanks again.
Dan
 
Rick D

Rick D

.
Jun 14, 2008
7,188
Hunter Legend 40.5 Shoreline Marina Long Beach CA
Sprocket

smokey73 said:
Thanks Rick, Yes Raymarine still makes Type 1 and Type 2 Rotary Drives. It looks like the Type 1 is the right size (sailboats up to 24,000 lbs) and it looks a lot like what you have installed (or something very similar). I see in pictures 1 and 2 that the drive is installed at the bottom of the pedestal and has a gear drive already on it. I am not sure what I'm looking at in the last picture? Is the chain something that is already there or is it something that is installed when you install the drive? The top gear looks like it is attached to a shaft, is that the end of the wheel on the inside of the pedestal and is the gear up there already there or do I have to buy one.? I cant take the pedestal apart to look at what I have there until the insurance agent gets down to "confirm it was actually a lighting strike." I'll be going with the newer EVO-200 autopilot and want to use the rotary drive rather than the linear drive, especially since it looks like our boats were built for the rotary drive.

Thanks again.
Dan
Click to expand
You don't have to take anything apart. Just lift out the smoked-plastic drink holder and "ice box" it's attached to. The sprocket? I don't know if they were installed on the steering shaft by Edson originally or not. However, on another thread, there was a discussion about finding a replacement from any of a number of sources, so I think it should be readily available, either from Edson or another source. Good choice!
PS: you are looking at the back of the instrument panel in the background.
 
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