[C320-list] EV-100 install on early 320

[Chris Burti]

Frank,
I did not have to do that. It might be because Commitment is a later model or the geometry of our rudder arm mount, but the existing rudder limit is within the range of the ram. 

Best Regards,
Chris Burti
Commitment #867

> On Nov 24, 2020, at 8:52 AM, P.F. Ross <pfrstl at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> All,
> 
> One requirement for the Raymarine ram is that you must install hard stops
> to limit the rudder to (IIRC) +/- 35 degrees rotational travel.  This, I
> assume, is to keep the ram itself from acting as travel stops.
> 
> This amount of rudder travel seems more than adequate for open water
> sailing, but it may not be for everyone.  For example, our dock is close to
> the end of a narrow canal and we feel like we need the entire ~55 degrees
> (as measured by me) rudder swing in order to turn our boat around in one
> motion (she turns in not much more than one boat length).  Of course, we
> are moving very slowly when we perform this maneuver and are also well
> protected from wind and waves.  But this is why we chose the
> wheel autopilot, no stops.
> 
> That said, we are Gulf of Mexico coastal sailors but even then we have been
> in a condition that overpowered the wheel pilot and had to take the wheel
> ourselves.  So it is not for everyone but it works well for us.
> 
> Frank Ross
> Beta Wave #206
> Naples, FL
> 
>> On Tue, Nov 24, 2020 at 2:07 AM Graeme Clark <cg at skyflyer.co.uk> wrote:
>> 
>> Just to clarify for anyone reading this who isn't already aware. There are
>> essentially three options - an electric wheel pilot, an electric below deck
>> ram and a hydraulic below deck ram.
>> The last option is a lot more expensive than the other two as it requires
>> installation of a hydraulic pump!
>> 
>> Graeme
>> #366, 1996
>> 
>>>> On 24 Nov 2020, at 06:41, Ian Neale <kiwineales at yahoo.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Thanks Stephen, again very insightful.
>>> 
>>> I am going to call Raymarine in the morning and see what they say about
>> converting to a hydraulic system in due course. Even if I had to swap out
>> the drive unit it may still be an ok way forward.
>>> 
>>> My key objectives are to have an Autopilot for sail changes, spinnaker
>> drops etc, motoring and light wind sailing. I think when we are out in 20
>> plus knots i will want to be on the wheel myself. So given this the wheel
>> system may be all I need.
>>> 
>>> Thanks, Ian.
>>> 
>>> Sent from. my iPhone
>>> 
>>>> On Nov 24, 2020, at 6:41 PM, Stephen Cox <scox at timmin.com> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> I have seen the dimple you refer to on the stand and wondered
>>>>> if that was the Centre for the motor cut out. I also thought
>>>>> that the cable conduit may still be in the way, how did you
>>>>> cut that away without removing all the cabling within it?
>>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Very carefully!  I can't remember but probably used a Dremel type tool
>> to carefully remove the material.  I do remember inserting a
>>>> strip of metal down the tube to keep the wires to one side and
>> protected.
>>>> 
>>>>> I will be sailing in the Hauraki Gulf and east side of
>>>>> Northland Coast of New Zealand. While a bit more sheltered
>>>>> than your trip to Tasmania depending on wind and swell
>>>>> direction still somewhat open water conditions so I was a
>>>>> little concerned about the robustness of the system.
>>>> 
>>>> I was fitting out a new C320 and not unusually the costs mounted pretty
>> quickly so cost was a consideration.  As they seemed to be
>>>> used satisfactorily by almost everyone on the C320 email list, I
>> initially installed the wheelpilot .  However, it turns out a lot
>>>> of presumably mainly US Catalina owners appear to be day sailors who
>> chose their weather carefully or don't sail on the open seas.
>>>> Given the time over I would not install a wheelpilot on a C320.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>>> When you upgraded to the hydraulic ram were you able to use
>>>>> the old control box, head unit and GPS unit or was it a
>>>>> complete refit?
>>>> 
>>>> I had an S1 control unit with no built in gyro. I purchased an SPX-30
>> by watching eBay, Defender sales and the like carefully for
>>>> some considerable time and got one at suitable price.  When I went to
>> the hydraulic ram drive I was able to use all the existing
>>>> gear, just connecting the hydraulic pump to the appropriate connections
>> on the control box.  I used a third party hydraulic pump and
>>>> ram by the way which again I was able to pick up at a ridiculously
>> cheap price from a boat shop going out of business.
>>>> 
>>>> Looking up the specs for the EV-1 wheelpilot, the control box is
>> capable of supporting their smallest hydraulic drive but I don't
>>>> think it will offer sufficient drive for a C320 in heavy conditions.
>> There would be no point of going to the better setup and then
>>>> having it underpowered when you really needed it.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Stephen Cox
>>>> Tegwen #1141
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>> 
>> 
>>