[C320-list] Raymarine 4000 Autopilot Upgrade

[Barbara Uhlman]

Brian, when did Catalina start adding the rod?  Your hull # is right between John's and ours.  Thanks.

Barb



----- Original Message ----
From: Brian York <brianyork1 at mac.com>
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Sent: Sun, March 7, 2010 1:07:15 PM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Raymarine 4000 Autopilot Upgrade

The rod will take the strain off of the drive unit which will overtime wear out if not replaced (at least ours did -- 3 times).  Catalina finally figured out that we needed a stainless steel rod attached in a similar manner as they one they sent to everyone.  If you look at other boats w/ the Raymarine wheel autopilots, you will see a similar set up with the steel rod taking the strain.

Brian

Wolfpack #1132
Ventura, CA

On Mar 7, 2010, at 7:22 AM, John Frost wrote:

> I received in the mail yesterday an (unsolicited) upgrade to my 2007
> Raymarine 4000 Autopilot. It was sent by the Catalina supplier  Ocean
> Equipment.
> 
> It is a grey metal rod, about 5 inches long, that mounts on the left side of
> the pedestal and serves as  "an additional indexing stop for the drive wheel
> that is attached to the steering wheel".  It fits in a slot in the drive
> wheel, I assume to further stabilize it. It is said that installing it will
> "upgrade your autopilot installation to the current factory installation of
> the Raymarine 4000 Autopilot".
> 
> 
> 
> While I certainly appreciate the customer care to send me upgrades that I
> may need, I am curious what benefit it will provide if I install it. Does
> anyone know if it is a safety issue?
> 
> My Autopilot seems to work fine as it is and I am not keen about drilling
> holes in my pedestal if not needed.
> 
> 
> 
> Happy Sailing!
> 
> 
> 
> John
> 
> 2007 C320MKII
> 
> Hull 1118
> 
> Guntersville, AL
> 
> 
>