Has anyone any bad experience with Simrad WP32? Is the raymarine better? I like the set up with the fluxgate compass and the control unit all built in and a free remote control.
Wheel Pilot ?
- Thread starter Hunter voyager
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Lots of fans here of the WP32...
I have one on my H37.5, and it works great. Mine is actually a Navco model, which was a predecessor to the Simrad, but it's the exact same. Like most autopilots, they are not so great in a stong following sea. They do have an internal belt that wears and must be replaced. I seem to get about 18 months out of one, but my boat is at the very high end of weight for the WP32, and I single hand a lot. So it really gets a workout with me. Simrad has been great to me, although that was with their Fl office. They've now consolidated all repairs to Wash state, so i'm not so sure. Search the archives, it's been discussed a great deal here.
I have one on my H37.5, and it works great. Mine is actually a Navco model, which was a predecessor to the Simrad, but it's the exact same. Like most autopilots, they are not so great in a stong following sea. They do have an internal belt that wears and must be replaced. I seem to get about 18 months out of one, but my boat is at the very high end of weight for the WP32, and I single hand a lot. So it really gets a workout with me. Simrad has been great to me, although that was with their Fl office. They've now consolidated all repairs to Wash state, so i'm not so sure. Search the archives, it's been discussed a great deal here.
Don! Washington, cool!
They make below deck pilots too don't they? If so, I know where my next one is coming from.
They make below deck pilots too don't they? If so, I know where my next one is coming from.
Wheel Pilots
I sail a Catalina30 and when my ST4000 became 'unrepairable' in June of 2005, I elected to replace it with the Simrad WP32. I chose the Simrad unit because 1)Raymarine tech support upset me and 2)the installation was very straight forward. I've had random trouble with the WP32 but the ST4000 liked to set its own course from time to time also. The ST4000 operated the wheel in a smoother fashion than the WP32 but I would say their course keeping ability is comparable. The 4000 control head is stylish and has a very complete LCD user interface that integrates easily with all of your other Raymarine instruments in the wheel pod. The 32 communicates with beeps and it will integrate with your other instruments without too much effort. The 4000 can use a wireless remote(added cost), the 32 is corded(free). Around here, boats I get aboard that are less than 15000 lbs most often have a Raymarine wheel pilot of some vintage although I did see a WP32 mounted on a H34.5 this year. It was chosen because it installed in a few hours and the owner wasn't interested in multiple functions, just controlling the wheel for short periods when he single hands. I called Simrad tech support once and in less than 5 minutes, talked to a human who had answers. Raymarine will also get you answers if you're patient. I've seen both units refered to as 'English Junk' in my travels around cyberspace. Anyway, either unit will get the job done......enjoy your research.
I sail a Catalina30 and when my ST4000 became 'unrepairable' in June of 2005, I elected to replace it with the Simrad WP32. I chose the Simrad unit because 1)Raymarine tech support upset me and 2)the installation was very straight forward. I've had random trouble with the WP32 but the ST4000 liked to set its own course from time to time also. The ST4000 operated the wheel in a smoother fashion than the WP32 but I would say their course keeping ability is comparable. The 4000 control head is stylish and has a very complete LCD user interface that integrates easily with all of your other Raymarine instruments in the wheel pod. The 32 communicates with beeps and it will integrate with your other instruments without too much effort. The 4000 can use a wireless remote(added cost), the 32 is corded(free). Around here, boats I get aboard that are less than 15000 lbs most often have a Raymarine wheel pilot of some vintage although I did see a WP32 mounted on a H34.5 this year. It was chosen because it installed in a few hours and the owner wasn't interested in multiple functions, just controlling the wheel for short periods when he single hands. I called Simrad tech support once and in less than 5 minutes, talked to a human who had answers. Raymarine will also get you answers if you're patient. I've seen both units refered to as 'English Junk' in my travels around cyberspace. Anyway, either unit will get the job done......enjoy your research.
WP 32
I just purchased a wp 32 for my Seafarer Swiftsure 30 , since its tundra in Ohio I have no input other than I too wanted to avoid Raymarine as well as West Marine and Airmar the transducer mfgr. Btw Sailnet is back and they are bending over backwards to satisfy customers , so I also purchased a Xantrex 40 amp battery charger ......
I just purchased a wp 32 for my Seafarer Swiftsure 30 , since its tundra in Ohio I have no input other than I too wanted to avoid Raymarine as well as West Marine and Airmar the transducer mfgr. Btw Sailnet is back and they are bending over backwards to satisfy customers , so I also purchased a Xantrex 40 amp battery charger ......
More wheel pilots
I am on my second WP30 and have also had a ST4000. IMHO, the Raymarine cost more, is harder to install and set up, has lousy customer support, and holds a course better than the WP30. My next one will be a Raymarine.
I am on my second WP30 and have also had a ST4000. IMHO, the Raymarine cost more, is harder to install and set up, has lousy customer support, and holds a course better than the WP30. My next one will be a Raymarine.
Many more complaints from Raymarine owners
If you go back and search the archives you will find that there are many more complaints about the Raymarine than the Navico/Simrad units. Albeit there are probably 3 times as many of the Raymarine units sold. There are several owners that have boats the Simrad units on boats that they are undersized for and they still work. We have a Navico WP300 and it tracks almost perfectly under power and does a good job when under sail if we are trimmed properly. They also have very good customer service and warranty.
If you go back and search the archives you will find that there are many more complaints about the Raymarine than the Navico/Simrad units. Albeit there are probably 3 times as many of the Raymarine units sold. There are several owners that have boats the Simrad units on boats that they are undersized for and they still work. We have a Navico WP300 and it tracks almost perfectly under power and does a good job when under sail if we are trimmed properly. They also have very good customer service and warranty.
Having Owned Both Simrad
I'd say I like the features of the Raymarine ST 4000 MKII over the mostly non existant features of my Simrad WP30. I had a WP30 on a Catalina 36 and it was affected by some of the metals in the steering pedestal. If your just using it for "point
I'd say I like the features of the Raymarine ST 4000 MKII over the mostly non existant features of my Simrad WP30. I had a WP30 on a Catalina 36 and it was affected by some of the metals in the steering pedestal. If your just using it for "point
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