[C320-list] Some instrument advice out there?

[Warren Updike]

Congratulations on joining our happy family. We sail on the Chesapeake bay
and while I consider most instruments other than a (handheld) GPS "nice to
have" an autopilot is a must-have with the GPS (and paper chart book.) I
can't offer any advice on costal cruising as we haven't done that; but,
others who do blue-water cruising say that the autopilot should be a linear
drive for blue water: too much stress for a wheel pilot. 
As for a used unit, with the improvements in autopilots such as
accelerometers, rate gyros, faster processors, and improved logic, I would
only want a new unit. I would probably go for having the linear drive
installed by someone qualified with the manufacturer you select. Although,
some have done it themselves. I believe there are some better mounting
devices for linear drives today. 
Be sure to come back and tell us what you did. Many of us remain interested.

Warren and Pattie Updike
1994 C320 "Warr de Mar" #62

-----Original Message-----
From: Scott Westwood [mailto:scottwestwood at bellsouth.net] 
Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2014 4:05 PM
To: C320-list at catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Some instrument advice out there?

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