I am thinking of installing a wheel pilot Raymarine ST4000 system. Would like to know anything about operation under sail and ease/difficultly of installationxv
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raymarine
do yourself a favor; no matter what other advice you get, try contacting raymarine before you give them any money like you already had.
do yourself a favor; no matter what other advice you get, try contacting raymarine before you give them any money like you already had.
installed one 6 months ago....
and it still works fine. In Oz any support is the responsibility of the installing firm (and I haven't needed it yet), so I don't know how that stacks up against Mortyd's experience with Raymarine themselves.....It took one professional guy about two or three hours to install (including some minor other electrical jobs). There appears to be a problem, though, in that the 'thingy that keeps track of the rudder position' (can't remember how that is called) cannot be easily installed in a Cat 30. Consequently the system is somewhat erratic in a choppy sea. Tacks on autopilot, which makes singlehanded life very easy. All up, I am very happy I had it installed. How it will stand up after heavy usage - no idea.
and it still works fine. In Oz any support is the responsibility of the installing firm (and I haven't needed it yet), so I don't know how that stacks up against Mortyd's experience with Raymarine themselves.....It took one professional guy about two or three hours to install (including some minor other electrical jobs). There appears to be a problem, though, in that the 'thingy that keeps track of the rudder position' (can't remember how that is called) cannot be easily installed in a Cat 30. Consequently the system is somewhat erratic in a choppy sea. Tacks on autopilot, which makes singlehanded life very easy. All up, I am very happy I had it installed. How it will stand up after heavy usage - no idea.
raymarine
stu i'm fine, why? again, i will never again purchase a device like an autopilot without knowing the company's customer service dependablilty. everyone, keep in mind that deep it the user's manual raymarine has inserted the phrase that the st4000+mkii is "for use in calm water only."
stu i'm fine, why? again, i will never again purchase a device like an autopilot without knowing the company's customer service dependablilty. everyone, keep in mind that deep it the user's manual raymarine has inserted the phrase that the st4000+mkii is "for use in calm water only."
The reason is that
you said: "like you already had," when it appears he hasn't bought the unit yet. The ST4000 has a history of difficult set ups, inconsistent behavior, broken pins, and questionable performance, which is morty's concern. Again, do an archive search on ST4000 - your boat, your choice.
you said: "like you already had," when it appears he hasn't bought the unit yet. The ST4000 has a history of difficult set ups, inconsistent behavior, broken pins, and questionable performance, which is morty's concern. Again, do an archive search on ST4000 - your boat, your choice.
raymarine
stu, what i was suggesting is that, before he gives raymarine any cash, he pretend he already had and try to contact them as if he were a device owner who needs help. not just raymarine, for that matter, but any maufacturer of expensive items. in another discussion on another web site i concluded that, via the back door, i discovered why neither we nor the japanese make boat autopiot; a reasonable one might by much too expensive to be profitable.
stu, what i was suggesting is that, before he gives raymarine any cash, he pretend he already had and try to contact them as if he were a device owner who needs help. not just raymarine, for that matter, but any maufacturer of expensive items. in another discussion on another web site i concluded that, via the back door, i discovered why neither we nor the japanese make boat autopiot; a reasonable one might by much too expensive to be profitable.
contrary view
To provide a contrary view I have been pleased with the performance of my ST4000 in a variety of conditions. My single attempt to contact them for technical assistance/advice was answered promptly and correctly. Jeff http://home.teleport.com/~salmo/cat30/
To provide a contrary view I have been pleased with the performance of my ST4000 in a variety of conditions. My single attempt to contact them for technical assistance/advice was answered promptly and correctly. Jeff http://home.teleport.com/~salmo/cat30/
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