I recently installed the Simrad WP30 autopilot. While I like it for the most part I have an issue with the installation - when properly centered, the location where the metal straps tighten around the wheel pedestal is sloped. No matter how much I tighten it, after a while it will begin to slip down the pedestal. Needless to say, this leads to mis-alignment and ultimately inability to steer with the wheel. I have though about drill a small hole through the pedestal and inserting some type of bolt / screen to give it some additional support, but wondered abou the wisdom of this... Any thoughts? Thanks, Darren BTW, I purchased adapter plates for my spinlocks and was able to mount them directly on top of the standard cam cleats on my 260. They work like a charm and aid greatly in singelhanding.
- Status
I used a rubber....
plumbing connector (ACE hardware) that I cut and installed the WP30 on. That mounting has allowed me to tighten down the collars harder and gave stability to the mounting. Hope that helps. Richard S/V Rhapsodie H37C
plumbing connector (ACE hardware) that I cut and installed the WP30 on. That mounting has allowed me to tighten down the collars harder and gave stability to the mounting. Hope that helps. Richard S/V Rhapsodie H37C
Did you use the shims?
Darren: Did you use the shims that were with the mounting kit? You may also want to call Simrad and see if they have any other special mounting pieces for those unusual situations. They have (had) good support.
Darren: Did you use the shims that were with the mounting kit? You may also want to call Simrad and see if they have any other special mounting pieces for those unusual situations. They have (had) good support.
Rubber collar looks great
I used part of an inner tube to allow better grip and make the column bigger. The plumbing connector looks even better and should work great. I used a bit of contact cement to hold the rubber in place but probably not needed.
I used part of an inner tube to allow better grip and make the column bigger. The plumbing connector looks even better and should work great. I used a bit of contact cement to hold the rubber in place but probably not needed.
Have emailed simrad
I did not notice any shims - nor do I see mention of shims in the installation manual. Here is what I did... I went to HomeDepot and purchased some white double sided sticky foam for the bottom band. I did not put anything on the upper band (which is over the sloped area of the pedestal. So, whiel waiting to heard from simrad, I will see about getting some additional rubber ardound the pedestal to see if I can get the mountins surface flush and go from there. Thanks, Darren
I did not notice any shims - nor do I see mention of shims in the installation manual. Here is what I did... I went to HomeDepot and purchased some white double sided sticky foam for the bottom band. I did not put anything on the upper band (which is over the sloped area of the pedestal. So, whiel waiting to heard from simrad, I will see about getting some additional rubber ardound the pedestal to see if I can get the mountins surface flush and go from there. Thanks, Darren
Our Navico had them.
Darren: When we purchased our Navico WP300 there were some plastic pieces that were included with the kit. It has been some time since I did this, but remember that I had NOT installed them and found that the plastic housing was deforming when I tightened the clamps. These shims did a fairly good job of making up the difference between the plastic housing diameter and the pedestal diameter. The rubber connector looks like a good idea too.
Darren: When we purchased our Navico WP300 there were some plastic pieces that were included with the kit. It has been some time since I did this, but remember that I had NOT installed them and found that the plastic housing was deforming when I tightened the clamps. These shims did a fairly good job of making up the difference between the plastic housing diameter and the pedestal diameter. The rubber connector looks like a good idea too.
Pedestal model?
Darren, did you tell us your boat and pedestal models? As you can see in Richard's picture the rubber coupler and bands do not come near the sloped portion. I am wondering why yours does. I also have a WP30 on an H37C with Edson pedestal installed exactly like Richard's. That 6" rubber coupler has a small section cut out so that it is a perfect fit around the column. The coupler comes with much better hose clamps than were in my WP30 kit. But I also had the plastic shims. They are quite small and easy to miss.
Darren, did you tell us your boat and pedestal models? As you can see in Richard's picture the rubber coupler and bands do not come near the sloped portion. I am wondering why yours does. I also have a WP30 on an H37C with Edson pedestal installed exactly like Richard's. That 6" rubber coupler has a small section cut out so that it is a perfect fit around the column. The coupler comes with much better hose clamps than were in my WP30 kit. But I also had the plastic shims. They are quite small and easy to miss.
- Status