I have searched the archives, and read a great deal out there regarding the Raymarine ST4000+ mkII wheelpilot, both positive and negative. What I have not been able to find much on is opinions or feedback on the Simrad WP30/32 series of wheelpilots. Would anyone care to share their opinion or feedback on the Simrad? The Admiral expressed interest in getting an autopilot, and the tax return is back, so I figured I ought to go shopping before the money gets spent elsewhere. BTW - this would be for our Hunter 35.5, weighing in at 13k lbs. Thanks for your sage wisdom - T J Furstenau
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Got one, like it
I have a Simrad WP30 on board my Catalina 36 for three years now. We bought it over the Raymarine ST4000 becuase of the extra power and it did not require a separate fluxgate compass. I replaced an old Raymarine ST3000 that bought the farm. Likes: not too expensive, responds well, can be integrated with NMEA inputs Dislikes: Auto-tack range is preset and not adjustable (requires a CHORUS control head). Good luck. Les Murray s/v Ceilidh '86 C-36 #560
I have a Simrad WP30 on board my Catalina 36 for three years now. We bought it over the Raymarine ST4000 becuase of the extra power and it did not require a separate fluxgate compass. I replaced an old Raymarine ST3000 that bought the farm. Likes: not too expensive, responds well, can be integrated with NMEA inputs Dislikes: Auto-tack range is preset and not adjustable (requires a CHORUS control head). Good luck. Les Murray s/v Ceilidh '86 C-36 #560
WP30
I got one last year and used it stand alone last season. I'm adding new instruments (Navman) and linking them through my chartplotter to it. Chartplotter is a Standard Horizon CP160. I've been real happy with the performance so far, can't wait to try out the new package. Just wish the snow would go away!!!
I got one last year and used it stand alone last season. I'm adding new instruments (Navman) and linking them through my chartplotter to it. Chartplotter is a Standard Horizon CP160. I've been real happy with the performance so far, can't wait to try out the new package. Just wish the snow would go away!!!
We have one
On our 46'Morgan....according to the lit its not rated for a boat our size...but I must say its performed beautifully!..It came with the boat......We mainly sail the Chesapeake and it stays on course when I plot her...the tacking is also fine. I can say the customer support was wonderfull!...last summer we were struck by lightning while anchored out.....It fried the circut board in the WP30...the folks at Simrad were great and were able to repair within a few weeks.....They are in Washington State and were easily available for phone support. Id recomend the WP-30
On our 46'Morgan....according to the lit its not rated for a boat our size...but I must say its performed beautifully!..It came with the boat......We mainly sail the Chesapeake and it stays on course when I plot her...the tacking is also fine. I can say the customer support was wonderfull!...last summer we were struck by lightning while anchored out.....It fried the circut board in the WP30...the folks at Simrad were great and were able to repair within a few weeks.....They are in Washington State and were easily available for phone support. Id recomend the WP-30
ST4000 MKII
We have a Raymarine ST4000+ MKII on our 2001 H340. Generally, we have been satisfied with its performance. We use it primarily on those boring motoring runs when there is not enough wind but we need to get somewhere. I cannot say that we have given it a severe test of iys capabilities. When we first used it at factory settings it tended to "hunt" back and forth a lot, but setting the response sensitivity to "2" (scale of 1 to 10, factory setting of 5) stopped that. I must confess that the ST4000 was our second choice. We had wanted to buy the Simrad wheelpilot, but it just could not be installed with the enormous steering console that the H340 has. We had originally wanted to get the Simrad because it did have a higher torque rating, but it just would not fit without completely tearing apart the steering console. If we had a console that would fit with the Simrad, we would definitely have gone that way. Carl s/v Syzygy
We have a Raymarine ST4000+ MKII on our 2001 H340. Generally, we have been satisfied with its performance. We use it primarily on those boring motoring runs when there is not enough wind but we need to get somewhere. I cannot say that we have given it a severe test of iys capabilities. When we first used it at factory settings it tended to "hunt" back and forth a lot, but setting the response sensitivity to "2" (scale of 1 to 10, factory setting of 5) stopped that. I must confess that the ST4000 was our second choice. We had wanted to buy the Simrad wheelpilot, but it just could not be installed with the enormous steering console that the H340 has. We had originally wanted to get the Simrad because it did have a higher torque rating, but it just would not fit without completely tearing apart the steering console. If we had a console that would fit with the Simrad, we would definitely have gone that way. Carl s/v Syzygy
In Forum Archives.
When I searched the 'Forum Archives' with "WP30" as the only keyword I got over 200 hits. That was all years except 1999. So there is plenty to read about. What you find with the A4000 are a lot of posts about problems and/or where to place the fluxgate. With the WP30 there is no separate fluxgate to wire. Note, though, that you also do not have a display. A lot of guys want that. Also note that as delivered it is for a 4" post mount. A console mount requires a special kit. Mine has been flawless now for five years. My boat displaces over 18000#. Simple to install and "tune" it also has the advantage that you can take the wheel off. I often move my wheel to the rail when "partying" in the cockpit.
When I searched the 'Forum Archives' with "WP30" as the only keyword I got over 200 hits. That was all years except 1999. So there is plenty to read about. What you find with the A4000 are a lot of posts about problems and/or where to place the fluxgate. With the WP30 there is no separate fluxgate to wire. Note, though, that you also do not have a display. A lot of guys want that. Also note that as delivered it is for a 4" post mount. A console mount requires a special kit. Mine has been flawless now for five years. My boat displaces over 18000#. Simple to install and "tune" it also has the advantage that you can take the wheel off. I often move my wheel to the rail when "partying" in the cockpit.
ST4000 whoes
I've been using a raymarine st4000 autopilot for several years now. The wheel units don't even last a season. The lever used to engage the clutch begins to release by itself. I'm told the belt needs tightening and that i should return it for factory service. Last time i did that they sold me a new unit. Also, the nylon/plastic lever has a flat spot in it that mates with the flat side of a steel pin. Of course the lever hole becomes elongated. Is anyone else having these problems?? (and yes the pin protruding from the pedistal is sized correctly) I have emailed Raymarine Customer Support about the reliability of these units and they have been unable to comment. I'd really like to hear from others about the reliability of these units. They did reply and tell me to fix it with a spanner wrench using a rear access port on the unit. Why isn't this listed in the owners manual? Please help this disatisfied customer begin the healing process. I'm still in the anger stage, hope to move to the acceptance stage soon.
I've been using a raymarine st4000 autopilot for several years now. The wheel units don't even last a season. The lever used to engage the clutch begins to release by itself. I'm told the belt needs tightening and that i should return it for factory service. Last time i did that they sold me a new unit. Also, the nylon/plastic lever has a flat spot in it that mates with the flat side of a steel pin. Of course the lever hole becomes elongated. Is anyone else having these problems?? (and yes the pin protruding from the pedistal is sized correctly) I have emailed Raymarine Customer Support about the reliability of these units and they have been unable to comment. I'd really like to hear from others about the reliability of these units. They did reply and tell me to fix it with a spanner wrench using a rear access port on the unit. Why isn't this listed in the owners manual? Please help this disatisfied customer begin the healing process. I'm still in the anger stage, hope to move to the acceptance stage soon.
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