[C320-list] Autopilot install

[Scott Thompson]

Now you MUST tell us what the milking machine had to do with this!


On 8/28/2018 1:42 PM, Graeme Clark wrote:
> Angus
> This is my second C320. The first was shared and originally had an ST4000 wheel pilot. Pretty hopeless and always self disconnecting when the wheel turned and unlatched the cam lever on the motor
> So we spent a lot on a new SP5-X. Ray marine said we’d see a “sea change” in performance. It had exactly the same issues!  A complete waste of £3000 ($4000) in my view!
> Admittedly we didn’t have a rudder reference unit which some people said would make it better whereas others claimed they had fitted one and seen no change
> At that point I wasn’t prepared to throw good money after bad especially as I was on the point of buying my own C320!
> This had a broken autopilot from an obsolete British manufacturer so I decided that this time it would be linear drive or nothing!
> Performance has been excellent. No hesitation in recommending it. The cost of the unit isn’t that great but below deck installation can be costly. I got the yard to install the drive itself but did everything else myself. Wiring up is a cinch. Plug and play basically
> The dedicated tiller arm can be pricey too but I got a mate with a milking machine and lathe to make me the parts and had a local welder assemble it
> Hope this helps
> Graeme
>
> Sent from mobile: please excuse typos etc.!
>
>
>> On 28 Aug 2018, at 17:00, Gus Macdonald <rathlyn1 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> Graeme.  I was interested that you had decided on the linear drive which is below deck I believe.  I was wondering whether you had chosen the linear model to make it easier to remove the wheel while at anchor or for better control of the boat.  In the later respect I find that the 4000+ does not control the boat very well especially in 10kts or more.  The boat actually goes upwind .when close hauled without the AH.  Of course this needs trimming the sails just right.  I would appreciate your comments.
>>
>> Angus Henderson
>> Hull # 999  2004
>> Georgian Bay
>>
>>> On Aug 28, 2018, at 2:21 AM, Graeme Clark <cg at skyflyer.co.uk> wrote:
>>>
>>> Sara
>>>
>>> Following the advice of other 320 owners here I put the control unit and sensor in the small wardrobe in the main aft cabin
>>>
>>> This makes for easy cable runs from across the main electrical panel and through to the helm station (I routed them alongside the engine loom cabling)
>>>
>>> Performance has been outstanding, albeit I bit the bullet and paid the extra for a linear drive!
>>>
>>> Graeme
>>> #366
>>>
>>> Sent from mobile: please excuse typos etc.!
>>>
>>>
>>>> On 28 Aug 2018, at 06:16, Sara Skinner Schroeder <saras951 at comcast.net> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> I purchased a Raymarine wheeldrive EV 100 autopilot at the boat show and am considering locations for the three units.  Would love to hear where others have mounted the sensor, ACU and control unit. I’ve read that the sensor should be centerline and as low to the waterline as possible without magnetic interference. Also, I have space on my helmstation for the control unit between the knot meter and wind gauge. Would that be a suitable place? Thanks!
>>>>
>>>> Sara
>>>> Wandering Star
>>>> 2000 / Hull #707
>>>>
>>>> Sent from my iPad