[C320-list] Some instrument advice out there?

[Pat Ireland]

Scott

Not a recommendation, but a consideration.  Consider a linear autopilot
instead of a wheel mounted belt drive.  The logic is that having a reliable
unit that can control your boat in all sea conditions gives you an extra
hand.  Control in difficult conditions reduces considerable stress and
improves safety.   There are well performing wheel units if you find the
cost of a linear unit prohibitive.  Search the forum posts and get some of
the opinions/experience.

To save a bit you might consider using your smart phone as a GPS
solution.  It's portable so you can have position information throughout
the boat, including on dinghy patrol.   I have no clue how to do it, but
networking to other instrumentation is supposed to be possible.  Again, not
a recommendation, but rather an alternative to a fixed mount solution.

Getting a boat with minimal instrumentation gives you the opportunity to
specify your own solutions.  Good luck with your investigation and
implementation.

Pat, 801


On Tue, Aug 19, 2014 at 1:04 PM, Scott Westwood <scottwestwood at bellsouth.net
> wrote:

> We are new to the Catalina 320 family.  Just bought a '98 320 (# 517) in
> May. We sold our Catalina 25 faster than expected. The new boat has no
> autohelm and no chartplotter.  (Long story... Only day sailed couple times
> a year for last 8 years.  Never even anchored in 8 years.)  Well kept,
> otherwise.
>
>
> We are first looking at the Autohelm.  Then the Chartplotter.
>
> Reason for email:
>
> 1. I was assuming wheel drive  but what models fit the wheel with the
> factory pedestal arrangment?
>
> 2. What models has anybody installed recently and what are your thoughts?
>
> 3. We probably don't want top of the line.  We are mostly coastal
> cruisers.  We don't mind going a little extra if it makes sense but we
> don't need the most expensive out there either.
>
> 4. Anybody ever tried a used one?  Risky but if they are out there, where
> is best to search for reliable one?
>
>
> Thanks,
>
>
> Scott Westwood
>
> scottwestwood at bellsouth.net
> H (919)-362-8538
> C (919)-618-7185
>