[C320-list] AP Option

[jpmesa at aol.com]

I installed a Simrad on my old Catalina 28 and I was very happy with it. It was very user friendly and easy to set up. I believe Simrad bought out Robertson auto pilots (?) several year?back and incorporated there stuff into Simard.??? John?? Holokai? 2



-----Original Message-----



-----Original Message-----
From: Ralph Winkler <ralphwink at aepro.com>
To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
Sent: Fri, 29 May 2009 2:18 pm
Subject: [C320-list] AP Option



Option on the RM AP.  I have the old style AP on Wind Dancer #394 here in WI and 
it's worked very well since install of the rudder reference that several of us 
RM AP owners did an couple years ago.
An Option:  We also have a boat in Punta Gorda FL and I committed the sin of all 
sins in buying a 25 ft lobster design trawler power boat for Charlotte Harbor 
and the ICW.  I waited for six months last summer, fall and winter for the new 
RM Sport Pilot to come out.  This system uses the same software as the X-5 
sailboat model.  I went to the Miami boat show in Feb. '09 and RM still could 
not advise shipment.  Tired of waiting I bought a Simrad AP14 (this is a wheel 
design for a power boat) but they have a model for sailboats also.  The Simrad 
system you would likely get is under deck installed, the power version is behind 
the helm.  I have the Simrad wired into the NEMA on my C70 plotter and Radar 
(same set-up as on our sailboat above but with a C80 plotter) and it works 
flawless.  Tracks routes and waypoints flawlessly.  Frankly, if I was going to 
redo Wind Dancer, the sailboat, with a new AP I'd likely go with the Simrad 
set-up.  Cost is about ballpark with RM.  You need to talk to Simrad Tech 
Service on the right model for a C320.
Don't know if this helps or confuses the issue.
Good luck.


Ralph H. Winkler