Autopilots - again

[brian chalk]

My Autohelm 4000 is dead and I have made up my mind to replace it. I have been very happy with it over the years. We don't do much long distance blue water so I'm fine with occasionally hand steering in larger following seas. My question for those with experience is - will I be equally happy with the Raymarine X-5 Wheelpilot? 

I never could find the specs for the Autohelm, but I am well aware that our 36 cutter is beyond the rated specs for the X-5. We kind of blew our boat budget last year with a peel and blister job, so a below decks pilot is a bit out of reach right now.

If I was happy with the 4000, will I be just as happy with the X-5?

Brian Chalk
Inamorata
1981 P36 Cutter

[Jim Cozy]

Brian-- Our previous boat was much lighter than the 365 and had an Autohelm 4000 aboard. It steered very well. A few years ago I installed an X5 wheelpilot on our 365, having the same trepidations as you about the displacement. No worries, Mate. Steers well in quartering seas and 20 knots  of wind. Just attend to sail balance. Jim

[INCOMMUNICADO]

Brian,I have had the ST-4000 on our boat for more than sixteen years,it was the best peace of electronics I have ever owned.I perched a new Raymarine ST6002-S1 about four years ago thinking the old ST4000 will Quit at anytime.So I have carried it aboard in it's box waiting for the old one to die.It wouldn't so I installed the new one what a pain in the a$$.I have not tried the new one yet still on the hard.If I had it to do over again I wouldn't buy Raymarine.It seems in the last few years if they have a problems with a product they declare it obsolete,and then your stuck with it and your on your own because there is no customer service anymore.Brian I told a friend he can have my old unit if that changes I will let you know. NO RAYMARINE  Allen

[brian chalk]

Jim, thanks for the positive feedback on the X-5.

Allen, thanks for the honest feedback on Raymarine and the S1. I'm curious whether or not the big PITA to install was the rudder sensor? As I understand it, the X-5 does not need a rudder sensor and I wonder if that should simplify the install.

Any other comments would be appreciated.

[SVJourney]

I have a lot of concerns about this as well.  We just bought Journey.  Haven't done more than the test sail but really wonder if the old Autohelm that's installed will cut it for the extended blue water we plan to do.  If you find a wheel pilot that works well for you please post it up here?

Also don't know if we can do wind steering with a ketch and solar mounted on top of the davits. 

Wondered if there was a viable below decks system that anybody recommends as we can't afford 5 grand on the below deck pilots I have seen looking out on the net.

[ishmael]

Check out CPT autopilot.  It is a wheel pilot.  We installed one last year and have been very happy with it.  Admittedly we haven't had any real bad weather against it as yet but so far it seems sturdy and reliable.  Price is about $2k.

Ron

[SailingSeaDragon]

Journey,

The Raymarine below deck kit currently on the market is available through Defender and is the next generation of the unit on Sea Dragon.

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|344|72126|299254|618697&id=1875099

The unit is on sale at Defenders for $3,200 and includes everything big, except the tiller arm, you will need. The Tiller arm and other (wire, screws, backing plate, expoxy, etc.) will run another $750 to $1,000. The installation is pretty straight forward and does not require much skill (just fair amount of time) to install.

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

We picked our unit up durning the Annapolis Sailboat show several years ago and I was able to get a very good deal on the unit & the tiller arm by purchasing at the show. The Annapolis Sailboat show is held each October and may fit nicely into you schedule.


We have been very happy with the unit and Raymarine has been great to work with over the years.

Garner

[Randy]

I have the X-5 on my boat. Easy install. Works great!

[SVJourney]

Thanks all for the help.  I am going to try and nurse the old pilot through till we get to Florida.  We can hand steer that if we absolutely have to.  Then will either get an X-5 or spring for the CPT.  The CPT is the only one I've seen that's rated for our displacement, thanks much for the heads up on that one. 

There will be a limited amount of $$ available for upgrades when we get back to the states before leaving for the Western Caribbean.  An SSB and a raft and a new dingy are also high on the list.

Cheers!
Wayne & Dana

[S/V Laelia]

I think that for real offshore work, a wind vane should be the primary self-steering with an auto pilot for motoring. Autopilots take a lot of juice and they don't handle following seas all that well and they break much more readily than a wind vane. I highly recommend the Monitor. I used one when I single-handed from San Diego to Honolulu. I steered for about 15 minutes on the entire trip.

I am heading offshore too and if I have to choose, I will have a wind vane before I have an SSB.

[vesper]

hi,  last year our 4000T needed repair/replacement, and in the same boat you're in,  the 365 being too heavy for the 4000 replacement.   found someone on eBay selling one,  it turns out he overhauls them, the one he had listed was sold, but he had me send him my drive and head,  he turned them around for $100 ea. and they work as good as ever.  I'd provide the contact information now if I had it,  and I'm looking for it....  let me know if you're interested, and I won't stop looking,

greg

greg4706@yahoo.com
(don't always have a chance to check in to this wonderful site)

[Bev & Billy on Sta-sea-dawn]

Check out CPT autopilot.  It is a wheel pilot.  We installed one last year and have been very happy with it.  Admittedly we haven't had any real bad weather against it as yet but so far it seems sturdy and reliable.  Price is about $2k.

Ron

Has your opinion held the same on the
New CPT Autopilot, complete
$1895

[Randy]

My 2 year old Raymarine wheel mounted autopilot has already crapped out. It's junk.

[graemek]

your's lasted longer than mine then 

[SVJourney]

LOL, NOW they tell us!

Just ordered the X5 from Defender for $1262 US plus ~$200 shipping to Antigua.  Really hoping it lasts for awhile as hand steering for the last 3 months has been NOT fun.  Will be doing vane steering soon and would like the X5 to last till then and then become our backup.

If there is a wind vane for 365s thread, I would like to hear about it or any other feedback from people who have one.

Cheers!
Wayne & Dana
WWW.GalleyWenchTales.com