I"m thinking of putting in autohelm on my 34, would love to here about what kind people are using and why. thanks
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Barry
Autohelm 3000
I installed an Autohelm 3000 on my h34 about four years ago. It was cheaper than the 4000 and very easier to install. I don't use it much while sailing - used more when I'm dropping the sails or motoring. I'm not impressed with the performance or belt drive arrangement. If I had it to do over I would chose the Autohelm 4000 or similiar unit Barry s/v "PER DIEM too"
I installed an Autohelm 3000 on my h34 about four years ago. It was cheaper than the 4000 and very easier to install. I don't use it much while sailing - used more when I'm dropping the sails or motoring. I'm not impressed with the performance or belt drive arrangement. If I had it to do over I would chose the Autohelm 4000 or similiar unit Barry s/v "PER DIEM too"
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Ed Schenck
Autohelm?
Raytheon has a modeller on it's web-site at "www.raymarine.com". I think all you need is LWL and displacement, possibly beam. I'm pretty certain it will indicate a 4000+. The Defender catalog seems to have the best prices(www.defenderus.com).
Raytheon has a modeller on it's web-site at "www.raymarine.com". I think all you need is LWL and displacement, possibly beam. I'm pretty certain it will indicate a 4000+. The Defender catalog seems to have the best prices(www.defenderus.com).
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Bob G.
Autohelm 4000+
I installed the Autohelm 4000 on my H33 last year and have loved it. The 4000 does not have the belt drive like the 3000. I use it sailing and motering. It lets me have both hands free to trim sails and it has an auto tack feature which is real nice. The boat comes about and all I have to do is handle the genoa. It makes single handing a breeze. It will interface to your GPS and if you have a wind instrument with NMEA output you can use it to steer by the wind. I like to hand steer some but it's nice to let go of the wheel and just relax. I heard that JSI has it for $925 including the remote control. One last thought, it may not be the unit for you if you make long offshore passages. If you do look at below deck models, they are much heavier duty. Good luck.
I installed the Autohelm 4000 on my H33 last year and have loved it. The 4000 does not have the belt drive like the 3000. I use it sailing and motering. It lets me have both hands free to trim sails and it has an auto tack feature which is real nice. The boat comes about and all I have to do is handle the genoa. It makes single handing a breeze. It will interface to your GPS and if you have a wind instrument with NMEA output you can use it to steer by the wind. I like to hand steer some but it's nice to let go of the wheel and just relax. I heard that JSI has it for $925 including the remote control. One last thought, it may not be the unit for you if you make long offshore passages. If you do look at below deck models, they are much heavier duty. Good luck.
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Rodney
4000+
I bought a 4000+ from JSI today for $868.47. No remote. Seemed like the best unit for my 336 and I could not beat the price. Everyone else wanted at least $999 for the 4000+. (jsisail.com) Good luck, Rodney s/v AVANTI
I bought a 4000+ from JSI today for $868.47. No remote. Seemed like the best unit for my 336 and I could not beat the price. Everyone else wanted at least $999 for the 4000+. (jsisail.com) Good luck, Rodney s/v AVANTI
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George Gore
4000+ a Plus
After having a 4000+ on a 28.5 and a 35.5 would have no problem making that recomendation. The integrated drive is very convient and seems to work well for this size boat. If you decide on this type, your biggest consideration will be the location of the control head. A lot of wires connect to this device, including power, compass, drive, seatalk (optional), nema (optional). It needs to be convient and within reach from your favorite helm seating position. You will find that you interface with the unit often when in use or just as a repeater to check the depth when someone is sitting in front of your depth guage. Performance wise, last Fall I made a nine mile run across the Chesapeake in heavy rain with minimul visibility. I put my home mark on the GPS, put the autopilot on track and never touched the wheel for an hour and a half. The furthest I was off track was .003nm, thats 180 ft.
After having a 4000+ on a 28.5 and a 35.5 would have no problem making that recomendation. The integrated drive is very convient and seems to work well for this size boat. If you decide on this type, your biggest consideration will be the location of the control head. A lot of wires connect to this device, including power, compass, drive, seatalk (optional), nema (optional). It needs to be convient and within reach from your favorite helm seating position. You will find that you interface with the unit often when in use or just as a repeater to check the depth when someone is sitting in front of your depth guage. Performance wise, last Fall I made a nine mile run across the Chesapeake in heavy rain with minimul visibility. I put my home mark on the GPS, put the autopilot on track and never touched the wheel for an hour and a half. The furthest I was off track was .003nm, thats 180 ft.
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Jeff jones
4000+ too
We installed the 4000+ and are happpy with it. Also installed and tied in the Autohelm wind instruments. We find that sailing to wind direction as apposed to GPS or fluxgate heading works great for us if just 'puttsing 'around. We use the GPS over the NEMA bus when we are really going anywhere. An autopilot while raising and lowing sails is very handy as well. Follow the directions and make sure you have good electrical connections. You will be happy! Jeff Jones '34 Escapade
We installed the 4000+ and are happpy with it. Also installed and tied in the Autohelm wind instruments. We find that sailing to wind direction as apposed to GPS or fluxgate heading works great for us if just 'puttsing 'around. We use the GPS over the NEMA bus when we are really going anywhere. An autopilot while raising and lowing sails is very handy as well. Follow the directions and make sure you have good electrical connections. You will be happy! Jeff Jones '34 Escapade
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br smith
autohelm 3000
Have a 3000 on my 34, worked great down the icw from Hampton Va. to Charleston, then out side to Melbourne,Fla.in seas 2-4 and 5-7, and know it will do just fine when I go over to the Bahamas in late Feb.
Have a 3000 on my 34, worked great down the icw from Hampton Va. to Charleston, then out side to Melbourne,Fla.in seas 2-4 and 5-7, and know it will do just fine when I go over to the Bahamas in late Feb.
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