[C320-list] Autopilot install

[Scott Thompson]

I'm not sure you can say that linear is worse than a wheel pilot in the 
case of failure. The linear drive offers almost no resistance to 
steering when it is turned off (much less than a disengaged wheel 
pilot), and so all you would need to do in the event of a control unit 
failure is to turn it off. Furthermore, I think they are far less 
susceptible to a physical jam due to being protected from the weather 
and salt spray below decks, as well as generally more robust engineering 
and construction.

Do not think that a wheel pilot cannot jam. When a small plastic 
internal part broke on my old ST4000+ I could turn the wheel only with 
great difficulty even though the lever was in the disengage position. I 
had to remove the wheel and then the wheel pilot from the wheel, and 
then remount the wheel, in order to restore normal steering. A linear 
drive can be disconnected by taking out one bolt that connects it to the 
tiller arm -- admittedly a bolt in an inconvenient location below decks.

Yes it was expensive to install a linear drive, but I consider it to be 
one of the best improvements I've made to the boat in terms of my 
enjoyment. Among other benefits, it's very quiet. And whether it's due 
to the improved control units or the rudder sensor, my newer system 
steers far more reliably than did my old wheel pilot, which could not 
hold a straight line to a waypoint and consistently had fairly large 
cross-track error (XTE). The wobbly course with the old unit caused me 
to disengage it whenever we were approaching other boats so that the 
other captain could be clear as to my intentions.

Scott Thompson

On 8/28/2018 4:36 PM, Scott Westwood wrote:
> 2 cents,
> When I looked at linear vs/ wheel I found this (Others, I'm sure, have other findings):
> Like most things it depends on how you use your boat.
> 1. Linear was more robust directly connected to tiller. (We put a small bungee on the engaging lever to keep ours engaged.  It does pop off if you don't.)2. Linear is more costly overall including to install.
>  From what I read a tiller sensor helps eliminate fishtailing.
> We went with the wheel because:
> 1. We don't use it often.  If I'm in rough seas my hands are on the wheel always.   The wheel should handle things long enough to address most things (we do).  If rough seas we would/should be secured.  There are always unexpected though....We also don't plan to do much long distance overnight type of trips.2. Nobody ever answered the question: "How easy is it to dis-engage if it fails?"  What if the helm is hard right and it locks up or the control unit fails?  How easy/hard is it to dis-engage in an emergency?  It may be simple/quick but I never got a clear answer and that concerned me (at the time).3. Price and ease of installation.  Sounded like linear would be custom work by a boat yard and/or custom hardware.
> Whatever works for you.  These could have changed but Wheel was good enough for us.
> Thanks,
> Scott Westwood scottwestwood at bellsouth.net H (919)-362-8538    C (919)-618-7185
>
>        From: Rod Boer <rod.boer1 at verizon.net>
>   To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>   Sent: Tuesday, August 28, 2018 2:10 PM
>   Subject: Re: [C320-list] Autopilot install
>     
> Angus,
>
> I also installed the linear drive on Odyssey #688.  There is no comparison between the two drives.  I single hand all of the time and can point the boat on any course, push the button on the autopilot and it will hold the course in a straight line. The linear autopilot was designed for boats up to 24,000 lbs so it doesn't have any problems with the C320.  It is especially useful when dropping the sails with the Dutchman system. On my boat the sails drop nicely except for the portion at the rear which tend to fall off the boom. I can put the sail cover on without any worry.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Gus Macdonald
> Sent: Tuesday, August 28, 2018 12:01 PM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Autopilot install
>
> 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
>
>