Have a 1987 Hunter 31. I am planning to buy an auto-pilot, wanted something reliable and easy to install. Any recommendations.
- Status
Not again!
Just kidding Jerry. But from my reading on this site and my experience installing a Simrad WP30 it's a no-brainer. The Simrad is self-contained and the installation is straight-forward. You don't have to figure out where to mount the display and/or the compass. Mine is on an Edson pedestal on an H37C(displ. 18000#) and has worked well in strong seas. I have noticed that it's displ. rating has come down in some catalogs. When I bought it the rating was 19000, now they list it as the same as the Autohelm 4000 which is 16500. If you like a display then the A4000 is for you.
Just kidding Jerry. But from my reading on this site and my experience installing a Simrad WP30 it's a no-brainer. The Simrad is self-contained and the installation is straight-forward. You don't have to figure out where to mount the display and/or the compass. Mine is on an Edson pedestal on an H37C(displ. 18000#) and has worked well in strong seas. I have noticed that it's displ. rating has come down in some catalogs. When I bought it the rating was 19000, now they list it as the same as the Autohelm 4000 which is 16500. If you like a display then the A4000 is for you.
AUTO PILOT
I HAVE THE RAYTHEON 6000 AND IT IS FINE OR YOU CAN SAY GOOD. I AM NOT THAT EXPERIENCED WITH AUTOPILOT BUT A LOT IN MY MIND DEPENDS ON THE ROUTE MANAGER OR PLOTTER MY COMPUTER AND "THE CAPN" ARE FANTASTIC WHEN TIED INTO THE AUTO PILOT.BUT MAKE SURE YOU CAN SEE THE MONITOR IN DAYLIGHT I HAD TO BUY ONE. BUT THEN IT IS BETTER TO HAVE JUST THE SCREEN TOPSIDE MOUNTED TO YOUR HELM AND A WIRELESS MOUSE AND KEYBOARD MCBUBBA720@AOL.COM
I HAVE THE RAYTHEON 6000 AND IT IS FINE OR YOU CAN SAY GOOD. I AM NOT THAT EXPERIENCED WITH AUTOPILOT BUT A LOT IN MY MIND DEPENDS ON THE ROUTE MANAGER OR PLOTTER MY COMPUTER AND "THE CAPN" ARE FANTASTIC WHEN TIED INTO THE AUTO PILOT.BUT MAKE SURE YOU CAN SEE THE MONITOR IN DAYLIGHT I HAD TO BUY ONE. BUT THEN IT IS BETTER TO HAVE JUST THE SCREEN TOPSIDE MOUNTED TO YOUR HELM AND A WIRELESS MOUSE AND KEYBOARD MCBUBBA720@AOL.COM
I agree, the Autohelm is a good choice
I have to agree with Rick Dinon (and I now own his old V32). The Autohelm is very easy to use and quite accurate. I've added a GPS chartplotter and wind direction to the standard compass heading so I've got 3 choices as to how to set the Autohelm: I choose depending on whether I'm sailing to the wind, to a latt/long or a chart fix (the compass). The Autohelm 4000 has a feature I really like. If one hits 1 and 10 (either + or -) at the same time then it auto tacks 100 degress. Perfect for single handing! Good sailing... Rodger
I have to agree with Rick Dinon (and I now own his old V32). The Autohelm is very easy to use and quite accurate. I've added a GPS chartplotter and wind direction to the standard compass heading so I've got 3 choices as to how to set the Autohelm: I choose depending on whether I'm sailing to the wind, to a latt/long or a chart fix (the compass). The Autohelm 4000 has a feature I really like. If one hits 1 and 10 (either + or -) at the same time then it auto tacks 100 degress. Perfect for single handing! Good sailing... Rodger
Navico/Simrad too.
Jerry: I have installed the Simrad/Navico WP300cx too. This was very simple. Just mount the unit on the wheel and run the wires down the pedestal to your power source. That is it. The control is in the unit on the starboard side of the wheel. If you want a remote control they are available, but not very necessary on the H'31. They can be interfaced to your GPS and Computer too. No complaints here. There are a lot more Autohelm units that members of this web site have installed and a lot more complaints. I have NOT heard about anyone complaining about their Navico units yet. My only complaint is that I waited so many years to do it.
Jerry: I have installed the Simrad/Navico WP300cx too. This was very simple. Just mount the unit on the wheel and run the wires down the pedestal to your power source. That is it. The control is in the unit on the starboard side of the wheel. If you want a remote control they are available, but not very necessary on the H'31. They can be interfaced to your GPS and Computer too. No complaints here. There are a lot more Autohelm units that members of this web site have installed and a lot more complaints. I have NOT heard about anyone complaining about their Navico units yet. My only complaint is that I waited so many years to do it.
- Status