Raymarine X-5 Autopilot

[Higgins]

Looks like maybe the autopilot thread was lost with the format change?

Anyway, I'd been following the discussion and bought the X-5 Wheelpilot about 2 weeks ago.  Although it was a little cheaper with Defender, I ended up buying it at Westmarine just in case I wanted to take it back and I almost did upon opening the box.  "What a flimsy piece of crap" was my first impression.  Cheap plastic along with 14 gauge power wires wasn't what I was expecting.  I considered taking it back and putting the project off until I could afford a below deck unit, but in the end I rationalized installing it based on my original intended use... motoring and extra assistance for raising and lowering sails as I'm usually singlehanded and don't have a furler.

Installation was really simple with the most time consuming job being running the wires.  I had to add a hole in the cockpit deck under the pedestal guard as well as drill and mount a small bracket on the pedestal but the rest was just a matter of plugging stuff in and snapping things together.  I mounted the drive on the bulkhead under the nav station and the compass in the cabinet next to the ice box.  I chose to mount the control head in the cabin (in the default location for the fuse panel on the bulkhead) as opposed to on the pedestal guard as I'm trying to keep the helm area as clutter free as possible.  It also acts as a below-decks instrument repeater since it interfaces with my depth, speedo, and wind which I put over the companionway.  Although, I can reach the control head easily from the cockpit, I also bought the wireless remote.  At this point, I'm not sure if it's going to be more of a "gadget" as opposed to practical but I can say that it's pretty cool being able to see all your instruments (it's also a repeater) as well as make course adjustments from anywhere on the boat.

Performance wise, I couldn't be happier.  Calibration is easy and takes about 30 minutes of motoring around in calm wind/seas.  And what a difference it makes for reefing and changing sails... no more locking the helm and sprinting around and fewer "uh-oh" moments.  Not only does it satisfy my motoring and sail-handling needs but it also seems to work really well under sail.  So far I've had it up to sustained 27 knots with gusts to 35 (under a 100% jib and mizzen) with no issues.  Supposedly, it will display an error message if it can't handle the load.  This was a big concern as it's advertised as undersized for a Pearson 365 and I can have quite a bit of helm at times depending on how things are trimmed.  From what I can tell so far, it draws about 2 amps continuous and slightly over 3 when it's making larger corrections.  For reference, I've only used it in SF's South Bay which, although windy, has zero swell and extremely flat, smooth water.

Anyway, so far so good... and recommended as a "cheaper" option for those with more limited autopilot requirements.

Mike

[Randy]

Great news. I haven't taclked my install yet. Next week or two. I am soooooo releived to hear the unit seems to takes the load under sail. that's a BIG plus for me. I was just going to use it primarily for motoring, but under sail will be great. Please keep us updated on performance and or any issues.

Randy

[Richard]

Several years ago, I installed a SIMRAD WP30 wheel autopilot, thinking that it was fairly light duty, but would help me with raising sails, etc. when sailing alone.  It links to my PC navigation program, so I can set a route, and it will steer it, as most of these units will.  It has an internal compass and no display.

I had heard that this type of autopilot is too light for serious, long haul sailing in higher winds and waves.

In 2007, I sailed the boat from San Francisco to Baja Mexico.  I spend the time and money to install a Monitor Windvane Autopilot before we left, which worked very well.

However, the real surprise was that the SIMRAD worked very well on the trip and handled nearly all of the conditions we were in.  The first day we were in heavy following seas and it even helped then, at least some of the time.  The result is that wheel autopilots may actually be a good option and handle more extreme conditions that we might expect.

[Bev & Billy on Sta-sea-dawn]

I know this is an older thread...but...
I installed a 2014 model Ray marine wheel pilot on my 1978 Pearson 365.  It was new in the box from West Marine.  I am just now mounting it.  I installed the compass below my salon main floor.  It is 4 feet from main mast...4 feet from V-drive...with the under seat water tanks on both sides.  I ran my sea calibrations and it was 38 degrees.  It messaged me to relocate my compass.
The manual says it needs to be 2 feet 6 inches from large metal masses (like motor).
I just do not understand.....Where did you mount your flux compass?

[Della and Dave]

Ours is hidden up under the pilot berth attached to the wall that separates the aft end of the starboard settee from the cabinet fwd of the nav station.  Sort of in the space where the starboard settee slides not when in the stowed position.  However, we have another issue with our Raymarine wheel pilot and it doesn't work, so I can't tell you if it works there or not.  (I suspect our drive motor).

You can see the back of the slide out settee and the hole what used to be the plastic and is now bronze through hull for the deck skupper drain. 

[Jim Cozy]

Bev & Billy-- I mounted my fluxgate inside the locker forward of the nav table, in the upper inboard aft corner. It has always worked perfectly. There are no electronics in the vicinity. Hope this helps.  Jim

[PeteW]

Raymarine recommends mounting the flux gate compass close to the center of gravity in hull. So low in the hull is better. Less thrashing around of the gimbal as the boat rocks. Mines located on forward side of the icebox about 1/2" off the sole near the centerline of the boat. A bit below the waterline in fact.   Pete

[SVJourney]

Ours is mounted just behind the mast, on the wall, about 6" above the floor. There is an owner built book cabinet there and we mounted it on the lowest shelf  Our deviation is less than 3 degrees there so pretty optimal spot.

D&D, we've had several drive failures, and each and every time the computer has told us what the failure was on the display.  Either "drive failure" or "over current" messages".
Good news is that the warranty is 2 years, 3 years if you registered it when you bought it. Even if it is out of warranty, Raymarine will overhaul your drive for $270.  See their website for details.

Wayne

[SailingSeaDragon]

7 years ago I mounted our flux compass high in the storage space at the end of the icebox. It has worked well in this location which is near the center line and about 1 1/2 feet above the waterline. I positioned it high in the storage are to avoid "junk" stored in this area.

http://www.sailingseadragon.com/AutoPilot.htm

Garner

[Randy]

I followed Garner's advise 6 years ago and all is well.