[C320-list] Raymarine 4000 Autopilot Upgrade

[John Frost]

That is very helpful Brian.
Looks like the portable drill goes with me on the next trip to the boat.

Happy Sailing!

John
2007 C320MKII
Hull 1118
Guntersville, AL




-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Brian York
Sent: Sunday, March 07, 2010 4:10 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Raymarine 4000 Autopilot Upgrade

They jerry rigged the SS rod in 2008 after one of their riggers in  
Marina Del Rey figured out the issue.  We lost the autopilot on the  
way to Catalina Island that year so we pulled into MDR on our way  
back to Ventura to get it fixed.  Has been working fine ever since.


On Mar 7, 2010, at 12:42 PM, Barbara Uhlman wrote:

> 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
>>
>>
>>