I am looking to purchase a wheelpilot for my 1987 37' Hunter Legend. I need advice on which wheelpilot is better. Simrad w32 or the Autohelm 4000. Thank you!
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Simrad Failure
I had bad luck with a Simrad on my Ericson 38 ... internal belt broke ... shredded on our delivery trip from Annapolis, Md to Clearwater, Fl ... made it to Stuart maybe 20 days out of Annapolis ... this was a brand new unit installed in Annapolis for the trip. The belt is not end-user replaceable ... send it in for repair. Would have much preferred the old style WP with the exposed belt. I sent the whole thing back for refund. We now have installed a Raymarine below decks unit with Type 2 Linear Drive ...
I had bad luck with a Simrad on my Ericson 38 ... internal belt broke ... shredded on our delivery trip from Annapolis, Md to Clearwater, Fl ... made it to Stuart maybe 20 days out of Annapolis ... this was a brand new unit installed in Annapolis for the trip. The belt is not end-user replaceable ... send it in for repair. Would have much preferred the old style WP with the exposed belt. I sent the whole thing back for refund. We now have installed a Raymarine below decks unit with Type 2 Linear Drive ...
Simrad WP30
I have the Simrad WP30 and have had no problems with it at all and I sail everyday. T he belt issue that was mentioned can be changed on the unit while on the boat. In fact i bought an extra belt this winter, just to have on board as a back up. I've had the entire WP apart, just to see how everything works and I had no problem with it. When this one dies in 10 years I'll buy another one.
I have the Simrad WP30 and have had no problems with it at all and I sail everyday. T he belt issue that was mentioned can be changed on the unit while on the boat. In fact i bought an extra belt this winter, just to have on board as a back up. I've had the entire WP apart, just to see how everything works and I had no problem with it. When this one dies in 10 years I'll buy another one.
Do an Archive Search on
"ST4000" - seems that there have been some operational issues with it. You'll need to learn the proper settings if you do buy one. I installed a Simrad WP32 on a friend's C34 two years ago, he is happy with it.
"ST4000" - seems that there have been some operational issues with it. You'll need to learn the proper settings if you do buy one. I installed a Simrad WP32 on a friend's C34 two years ago, he is happy with it.
No Raymarine
I will NEVER purchase another Raymarine product ever again due to purchasing new instruments last year and having they and WM not honor warranties . All they wanted to do is pass the buck back and forth between themselves , so I purchased a new Wp 32 and immediately to check out the belt availability and Simrad was more than willing to talk to me both the techs and service .
I will NEVER purchase another Raymarine product ever again due to purchasing new instruments last year and having they and WM not honor warranties . All they wanted to do is pass the buck back and forth between themselves , so I purchased a new Wp 32 and immediately to check out the belt availability and Simrad was more than willing to talk to me both the techs and service .
WP32
I had an ST4000 on a 30' and when the control head needed repair I sent it to the Raymarine warranty repair center as instructed by the tech who answered my e-mail/phonecall regarding the problem. When they received it - Whoopsie, NOT REPAIRABLE - oh and if you want it back we will charge you for the diagnoses...so I replaced it with the Simrad wheelpilot. You don't get the nifty features and displays that the ST4000 has but it installed in less than 1.5 hours, interfaces with the GPS and handles the boat just fine.
I had an ST4000 on a 30' and when the control head needed repair I sent it to the Raymarine warranty repair center as instructed by the tech who answered my e-mail/phonecall regarding the problem. When they received it - Whoopsie, NOT REPAIRABLE - oh and if you want it back we will charge you for the diagnoses...so I replaced it with the Simrad wheelpilot. You don't get the nifty features and displays that the ST4000 has but it installed in less than 1.5 hours, interfaces with the GPS and handles the boat just fine.
I have to agree
I have the Simrad WP30 and I have been very happy with it. I don't know about 30 knot winds and 10 foot seas, but for the things that we do it is very very nice.
I have the Simrad WP30 and I have been very happy with it. I don't know about 30 knot winds and 10 foot seas, but for the things that we do it is very very nice.
Wheel pilots
I replaced my AH 4000 with a WP30. The AH would hold a much better course. Simrad does have a better customer service. Mine has been back twice in 3 years for repair and needs to go again (belt drags when disengaged). My next one will be an AH.
I replaced my AH 4000 with a WP30. The AH would hold a much better course. Simrad does have a better customer service. Mine has been back twice in 3 years for repair and needs to go again (belt drags when disengaged). My next one will be an AH.
Size matters
Your decision should be based on a system that exceeds the minimum required to pilot your boat. The H37 has a laden displacement of 18K and the upper limit of the ST4000 (now replaced by the S1 Wheel Pilot) is 18.7 K. The helm force required to maintain a course varies alot between different boats and sea conditions. The ST4000 might be okay for lake sailing in calm conditons. I don't know what the WP32 specs are. The Raymarine below decks linear drive is better solution. More money but you'll have a system that will work when you need it the most.
Your decision should be based on a system that exceeds the minimum required to pilot your boat. The H37 has a laden displacement of 18K and the upper limit of the ST4000 (now replaced by the S1 Wheel Pilot) is 18.7 K. The helm force required to maintain a course varies alot between different boats and sea conditions. The ST4000 might be okay for lake sailing in calm conditons. I don't know what the WP32 specs are. The Raymarine below decks linear drive is better solution. More money but you'll have a system that will work when you need it the most.
I like my ST4000!!
I have had no problems from my ST4000. It conns our 37.5 Legend quite well as long as the helm is balanced and I have never had any maintenance issues. It was installed by the PO who uesd it a lot. It is at least 5 years old and most likly a lot older. I have never had to deal with the manufacturer.
I have had no problems from my ST4000. It conns our 37.5 Legend quite well as long as the helm is balanced and I have never had any maintenance issues. It was installed by the PO who uesd it a lot. It is at least 5 years old and most likly a lot older. I have never had to deal with the manufacturer.
Go below deck
If you can possibly swing the extra bucks, go below deck. You will not regret it. A linear drive cannot be beat. I am using a combination of Robertson below deck and St 6000 electronics. Works great.
If you can possibly swing the extra bucks, go below deck. You will not regret it. A linear drive cannot be beat. I am using a combination of Robertson below deck and St 6000 electronics. Works great.
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