[C320-list] autopilot

[Scott Thompson]

Having the rudder position shown is indeed useful, but there are less 
expensive ways to achieve that!  I put a turks head on the wheel at the 
spoke that is top dead center with the rudder straight ahead.  This 
gives me instant feedback on rudder position at all times.  And it 
definitely adds to the sense of nautical history of an otherwise very 
modern boat.

That said, I would probably go for the newer model myself.  I've been 
disappointed in the ST4000+/Mk2, and suspect that the newer nav computer 
likely would improve performance, as would the rudder sensor, as would 
the (optional) gyro yaw rate sensor.

Len wrote:
> Can only tell you my experience:  My boat was delivered with the 4000 MkII
> which worked OK for a few months, then went a little screwy and Catalina
> "corrected", then more problems, so finally Catalina got me a new S1, took
> out the 4000 Mk II and installed the S1 with boat in water, all at no cost
> to me.  My understanding is there were some insurmountable gliches and
> Raymarine bit the bullet on many 4000 Mk II's------so I'd go only for 
> the S1
> which I love because it works with nary a problem, and having the rudder
> position show is more useful than you can imagine.
> 
> Len Krane
> 
> Aqua5   #1070
> 
> 
> On 11/21/06, Koen Bennebroek <koen.bennebroek at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> I'm considering adding an autopilot to Big Cat. Most Catalina's I've
>> seen use the ST4000 or the MKII. It seems that both have been
>> discontinued and replaced by the S1.
>> Apart from the rudder transducer, is there a difference between the
>> models? Is there a reason to choose the S1 over the older models?
>> Also, how hard is the install? I assume all of this can be done while
>> the boat is in the water?
>>
>> Thanks, Koen
>> (Big Cat, 1995, #224)
>>
>>