I have just bought a 94 Passage 42 with about every option except an autopilot. It was on Kentucky Lake which confined it to an area about a mile wide and 20 miles long so an autopilot was not a necessity. We do our boating on Lake Erie and Lake Huron where the distances are much greater. The dealer in Kentucky recommended a Raytheon Type II. The unit appears to be a good choice but it is expensive. I am curious about other sailor's experience with this unit. Good features, bad features, failures? Also, I would like to know what other brands/models capable of steering a 24,000+ pound mechanical steered boat are out there and what experience you have had with them. Thanks.
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Autopilot Will Be Your Best Investment
... next to your spouse, of course. Most of the larger Hunters in my area have Autohelm/Raytheon/Raymarine. Everyone I know is more than satisfied. Go for the larger capasity unit. Mine (Legend 40.5) is a chain-drive that is quiet and powerful and has the 7000 head. They may be somewhat more expensive, but this is one place its well worth the price IMHO. Rick D.
... next to your spouse, of course. Most of the larger Hunters in my area have Autohelm/Raytheon/Raymarine. Everyone I know is more than satisfied. Go for the larger capasity unit. Mine (Legend 40.5) is a chain-drive that is quiet and powerful and has the 7000 head. They may be somewhat more expensive, but this is one place its well worth the price IMHO. Rick D.
Agree with Rick
The factory-installed Autohelm ST 700 that both Rick and I have on our boats has performed without a flaw. (though the motherboard of the computer died an early death but was replaced under warranty). There is a potential problem of interference with the magnetic compass by the chain-drive motor, depending on the particular installation, but I have not detected this myself, and mine is rather close to the compass. Autopilots in general have a reputation for a high failure rate in heavy usage, and consume quite a bit of power. That's why many voyagers install a wind-vane type self steering system, but I doubt that would be an issue on the big lake.
The factory-installed Autohelm ST 700 that both Rick and I have on our boats has performed without a flaw. (though the motherboard of the computer died an early death but was replaced under warranty). There is a potential problem of interference with the magnetic compass by the chain-drive motor, depending on the particular installation, but I have not detected this myself, and mine is rather close to the compass. Autopilots in general have a reputation for a high failure rate in heavy usage, and consume quite a bit of power. That's why many voyagers install a wind-vane type self steering system, but I doubt that would be an issue on the big lake.
Go with more powerful, not less.
Rich: You always need to look at the conditions that you may want to use the autopilot. The worse the conditions are the more you may need to depend on this unit as an extra hand on deck. If you go with an underpowered unit it will be worthless when you need it the most. I have this little thing that I always do when I am considering a major purchase. How long do I expect the purchase to last me (5,7 10 years)? Then I divide this into the purchase price. When you look at it as a cost/yr it is much easier for ME to justify (not my better halfs idea). The point being if you buy a low end unit and it turns out to break down and needs to be replaced you have ended up spending more money and not less. There are several good units on the market. Depending on the type of instruments on your boat you should consider a brand that can integrate with the functionality of your instruments too. Simrad, Raymarine, B & G and many other have units all in the same price range. Shop and talk to the people that sell and repair them. They can tell you what units can handle your load and your boats sailing characteristics. Remember pay him now, or pay him later !!!
Rich: You always need to look at the conditions that you may want to use the autopilot. The worse the conditions are the more you may need to depend on this unit as an extra hand on deck. If you go with an underpowered unit it will be worthless when you need it the most. I have this little thing that I always do when I am considering a major purchase. How long do I expect the purchase to last me (5,7 10 years)? Then I divide this into the purchase price. When you look at it as a cost/yr it is much easier for ME to justify (not my better halfs idea). The point being if you buy a low end unit and it turns out to break down and needs to be replaced you have ended up spending more money and not less. There are several good units on the market. Depending on the type of instruments on your boat you should consider a brand that can integrate with the functionality of your instruments too. Simrad, Raymarine, B & G and many other have units all in the same price range. Shop and talk to the people that sell and repair them. They can tell you what units can handle your load and your boats sailing characteristics. Remember pay him now, or pay him later !!!
Broke Down And Bought The Raytheon
Well you guys should be proud of yourself. I went to West Marine this afternoon and ordered the Type II Raytheon unit with the ST7001 head. I went in to spend a $10 certificate I had gotten in the mail and spent $4000. They had a 10% off if you applied for a West Marine credit card, and 10% off if you bought the extended warranty (works out to about 5%)so before I left I had filled up the new credit card. With the 34 I figured a boat unit was about $500, now it looks like it is more like $2000.
Well you guys should be proud of yourself. I went to West Marine this afternoon and ordered the Type II Raytheon unit with the ST7001 head. I went in to spend a $10 certificate I had gotten in the mail and spent $4000. They had a 10% off if you applied for a West Marine credit card, and 10% off if you bought the extended warranty (works out to about 5%)so before I left I had filled up the new credit card. With the 34 I figured a boat unit was about $500, now it looks like it is more like $2000.
RICH, OUR P42 CAME EQUIPPED WITH ...
the ST7000. Lift up the two hatch covers beneath the aft berth mattress. On a shelf to the port side of the quadrant is mounted the AP motor, with a drive arm attached to the rudder quadrant. The computer is mounted on the port side bulkhead beneath the nav station and the fluxgate compass is mounted underneath the dressing table in the aft cabin. The system works great. We had a ST4000 plus on our H28, which worked fine on that size boat, but the ST7000 is inside and has the muscle to handle the P42. Terry
the ST7000. Lift up the two hatch covers beneath the aft berth mattress. On a shelf to the port side of the quadrant is mounted the AP motor, with a drive arm attached to the rudder quadrant. The computer is mounted on the port side bulkhead beneath the nav station and the fluxgate compass is mounted underneath the dressing table in the aft cabin. The system works great. We had a ST4000 plus on our H28, which worked fine on that size boat, but the ST7000 is inside and has the muscle to handle the P42. Terry
7000 the best choice
I sail a 90' P 42 that had a 4000 on it when purchased. It will give up easily on a quartering sea or under power above 2200 rpm. I know it is way undersized, but that is what the previous owner bought. I expect to get a 7000 when possible.
I sail a 90' P 42 that had a 4000 on it when purchased. It will give up easily on a quartering sea or under power above 2200 rpm. I know it is way undersized, but that is what the previous owner bought. I expect to get a 7000 when possible.
Rich,
I had my 420 delivered w/ a 7000. I holds the boat remarkable well in all conditions; including offshore in 20-25kts of wind on any point of sail. Only problem that I've had w/ it is that the bolts that hold the (heavyduty) drive motor (located in the generator compartment, immediatly under the cockpit) to its brackets, would loosen under heavy loads, allowing the drive motor's sprocket to lift out of the chain. Haven't had any further problem with this since I used "Locktight" to keep the nuts from working loose. I have extremely high confidence in the 7000 and scarcely ever steer the boat by hand, except when comming in or out of a slip/anchorage....
I had my 420 delivered w/ a 7000. I holds the boat remarkable well in all conditions; including offshore in 20-25kts of wind on any point of sail. Only problem that I've had w/ it is that the bolts that hold the (heavyduty) drive motor (located in the generator compartment, immediatly under the cockpit) to its brackets, would loosen under heavy loads, allowing the drive motor's sprocket to lift out of the chain. Haven't had any further problem with this since I used "Locktight" to keep the nuts from working loose. I have extremely high confidence in the 7000 and scarcely ever steer the boat by hand, except when comming in or out of a slip/anchorage....
ST/7000
I had a ST7000 installed on my P42 before sending it to St.Thomas in 1993. It developed some problems during delivery because of severe weather conditions. It was replaced with no charge and trouble free ever since. I routinely encounter winds over 20kts or more in the winter months. It is an extremely reliable product. Sid Jarvis
I had a ST7000 installed on my P42 before sending it to St.Thomas in 1993. It developed some problems during delivery because of severe weather conditions. It was replaced with no charge and trouble free ever since. I routinely encounter winds over 20kts or more in the winter months. It is an extremely reliable product. Sid Jarvis
Thanks Again
I picked up the 7000 last Saturday. It is the 7001 head, Type 2 400 computer, and the Type 2 linear short power ram. I won't install until spring but I have been reading the installation / operation manuals. So far it looks to be very impressive. Thank you all for your comments. It gives me comfort to know that many of you have had such good luck with these units.
I picked up the 7000 last Saturday. It is the 7001 head, Type 2 400 computer, and the Type 2 linear short power ram. I won't install until spring but I have been reading the installation / operation manuals. So far it looks to be very impressive. Thank you all for your comments. It gives me comfort to know that many of you have had such good luck with these units.
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