[C320-list] Autopilot replacement

Wed Aug 21 13:50:15 PDT 2024

Fwiw.  Had the wheel for years and was ok for easy sailing but (mine) Could not hold under tougher conditions and required maintenance.   I wanted reliability so went with direct drive. More costly and harder to install but hasn't failed yet (knock wood). I tested it up to 25kts and held. IMHO, depends on how/when you sail.

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Today's Topics:

  1. Autopilot replacement (B. Stumpp)
  2. Re: Autopilot replacement (Jack Brennan)
  3. Re: Autopilot replacement (Dan Winsor)
  4. Re: Autopilot replacement (Ian Neale)
  5. Re: Autopilot replacement (Dennis Cookson)
  6. Re: Autopilot replacement (ptormey 4square.net)
  7. Re: Autopilot replacement (John Beck)
  8. Re: Autopilot replacement (Dennis Cookson)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Mon, 19 Aug 2024 20:57:08 -0400
From: "B. Stumpp" <bstumpp at comcast.net>
To: <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com>
Subject: [C320-list] Autopilot replacement
Message-ID: <000001daf29b$e2fb8cc0$a8f2a640$@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain;    charset="us-ascii"

After 20+ years my Raymarine ST4000+ autopilot is giving up. 

It has always been a bit jerky and noisy, unlike other units that are more
smooth and quiet.  

Would like to hear what others have installed.

Would also appreciate comments on satisfaction, ease of installation,
smoothness of operation, etc.  

Thanks in advance,

Bruce Stumpp

#647, Adventure

Middle River, Maryland 

------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Tue, 20 Aug 2024 01:14:47 +0000
From: Jack Brennan <jackbrennan333 at outlook.com>
To: "C320-List at Catalina320.com" <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Autopilot replacement
Message-ID:
    <SN6PR11MB297391792CF43EBC394F53FC968D2 at SN6PR11MB2973.namprd11.prod.outlook.com>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Hi Bruce:

If you feel your boat is well balanced in the conditions you sail in, the EV 100 is a good replacement.

The wheel pilots really are best when all you require is minor adjustments to keep you on course. It does this well without gobbling up many amps.

If you find that the wheel requires some muscle to stay on course, the below-deck units are probably right for you. They are stronger and more durable.

In my case, I sail in the Gulf of Mexico. We get plenty of strong winds, and the seas tend to be short and choppy. The 320 handles these conditions well as long as I adjust the sails properly.

More than 20 knots, I sometimes turn the autopilot off and steer just because I think it's the seaman-like thing to do. It allows me to make adjustments for cross seas and the like.

I once did a 140-mile sail from Key West to Boca Grande in 25 knots and six to eight-foot seas. The EV 100 handled it for a time, until the AP pulled the bracket right off the pedestal. I think that was partly my fault. I did a better job of re-installing the bracket when I got to an anchorage.

Jack Brennan
Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
Tierra Verde, Fl.
________________________________
From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of B. Stumpp via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com>
Sent: Monday, August 19, 2024 8:57 PM
To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com>
Cc: B. Stumpp <bstumpp at comcast.net>
Subject: [C320-list] Autopilot replacement

After 20+ years my Raymarine ST4000+ autopilot is giving up.

It has always been a bit jerky and noisy, unlike other units that are more
smooth and quiet.

Would like to hear what others have installed.

Would also appreciate comments on satisfaction, ease of installation,
smoothness of operation, etc.

Thanks in advance,

Bruce Stumpp

#647, Adventure

Middle River, Maryland

------------------------------

Message: 3
Date: Mon, 19 Aug 2024 22:14:54 -0400
From: Dan Winsor <dandwinsor at gmail.com>
To: C320-List at catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Autopilot replacement
Message-ID:
    <CAGij09PUdpMbpMqrtU4rpiayc9s9=CpQyGHnda=3PqVtRiwOxQ at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

Have you done maintenance on the wheel pilot? It's fairly easy to replace
the belt, clean the roller balls, clean and relubricate the motor/gearbox.
Mine was skipping and complaining almost constantly until I did the above.
Now it's smooth and quiet.

On Mon, Aug 19, 2024, 21:17 Jack Brennan via C320-list <
c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:

> Hi Bruce:
>
> If you feel your boat is well balanced in the conditions you sail in, the
> EV 100 is a good replacement.
>
> The wheel pilots really are best when all you require is minor adjustments
> to keep you on course. It does this well without gobbling up many amps.
>
> If you find that the wheel requires some muscle to stay on course, the
> below-deck units are probably right for you. They are stronger and more
> durable.
>
> In my case, I sail in the Gulf of Mexico. We get plenty of strong winds,
> and the seas tend to be short and choppy. The 320 handles these conditions
> well as long as I adjust the sails properly.
>
> More than 20 knots, I sometimes turn the autopilot off and steer just
> because I think it's the seaman-like thing to do. It allows me to make
> adjustments for cross seas and the like.
>
> I once did a 140-mile sail from Key West to Boca Grande in 25 knots and
> six to eight-foot seas. The EV 100 handled it for a time, until the AP
> pulled the bracket right off the pedestal. I think that was partly my
> fault. I did a better job of re-installing the bracket when I got to an
> anchorage.
>
> Jack Brennan
> Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
> Tierra Verde, Fl.
> ________________________________
> From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of B.
> Stumpp via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com>
> Sent: Monday, August 19, 2024 8:57 PM
> To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com>
> Cc: B. Stumpp <bstumpp at comcast.net>
> Subject: [C320-list] Autopilot replacement
>
> After 20+ years my Raymarine ST4000+ autopilot is giving up.
>
> It has always been a bit jerky and noisy, unlike other units that are more
> smooth and quiet.
>
> Would like to hear what others have installed.
>
> Would also appreciate comments on satisfaction, ease of installation,
> smoothness of operation, etc.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Bruce Stumpp
>
> #647, Adventure
>
> Middle River, Maryland
>
>
>
>

------------------------------

Message: 4
Date: Tue, 20 Aug 2024 15:57:55 +1200
From: Ian Neale <kiwineales at yahoo.com>
To: C320-List at catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Autopilot replacement
Message-ID: <216133D8-FBCE-4DC5-B3DC-296581E81C8D at yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

Hi I agree with Jack the EV 100 is fine for good sailing conditions up to 15 kts or so helping out during sail changes, motoring etc. once the seas get up and wind pipes up I too feel I should be on the wheel, particularly if you have a meter or so of sea as the 320 is pretty flighty in wave depending on wind direction.  

The other advantage of the wheel pilot is the install is much more straight forward. 

Cheers, Ian Neale. Solutions 1122. 

Sent from. my iPhone

> On 20 Aug 2024, at 1:17?PM, Jack Brennan via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
> 
> ?Hi Bruce:
> 
> If you feel your boat is well balanced in the conditions you sail in, the EV 100 is a good replacement.
> 
> The wheel pilots really are best when all you require is minor adjustments to keep you on course. It does this well without gobbling up many amps.
> 
> If you find that the wheel requires some muscle to stay on course, the below-deck units are probably right for you. They are stronger and more durable.
> 
> In my case, I sail in the Gulf of Mexico. We get plenty of strong winds, and the seas tend to be short and choppy. The 320 handles these conditions well as long as I adjust the sails properly.
> 
> More than 20 knots, I sometimes turn the autopilot off and steer just because I think it's the seaman-like thing to do. It allows me to make adjustments for cross seas and the like.
> 
> I once did a 140-mile sail from Key West to Boca Grande in 25 knots and six to eight-foot seas. The EV 100 handled it for a time, until the AP pulled the bracket right off the pedestal. I think that was partly my fault. I did a better job of re-installing the bracket when I got to an anchorage.
> 
> Jack Brennan
> Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
> Tierra Verde, Fl.
> ________________________________
> From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of B. Stumpp via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com>
> Sent: Monday, August 19, 2024 8:57 PM
> To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com>
> Cc: B. Stumpp <bstumpp at comcast.net>
> Subject: [C320-list] Autopilot replacement
> 
> After 20+ years my Raymarine ST4000+ autopilot is giving up.
> 
> It has always been a bit jerky and noisy, unlike other units that are more
> smooth and quiet.
> 
> Would like to hear what others have installed.
> 
> Would also appreciate comments on satisfaction, ease of installation,
> smoothness of operation, etc.
> 
> Thanks in advance,
> 
> Bruce Stumpp
> 
> #647, Adventure
> 
> Middle River, Maryland
> 
> 
> 

------------------------------

Message: 5
Date: Tue, 20 Aug 2024 09:01:56 +0100
From: Dennis Cookson <dennis at cooksons.net>
To: C320-List at catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Autopilot replacement
Message-ID: <C0D40961-6039-4DB6-A0CD-8CDAC30C8B93 at cooksons.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

Hi Bruce, do you have a rudder reference as part of your installation? I also have a ST4000 and Smart Pilot system, and recently reinstalled my rudder reference which I had ignored since acquiring the boat, but which had never been fitted correctly. It was mounted in a different plane to the radial drive wheel and connected with elastic tethers. Since remounting it correctly, calibrating, and limiting the drive wheel to the same angular range), it has transformed the autopilot performance. It's quiet and smooth and only applies small corrections when necessary.  Might be worth recalibrating your system before shelling out for a replacement.

Dennis Cookson 
 #0577, 'Catalina'

> On 20 Aug 2024, at 01:58, B. Stumpp via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
> 
> ?After 20+ years my Raymarine ST4000+ autopilot is giving up.
> 
> It has always been a bit jerky and noisy, unlike other units that are more
> smooth and quiet.  
> 
> Would like to hear what others have installed.
> 
> Would also appreciate comments on satisfaction, ease of installation,
> smoothness of operation, etc.  
> 
> Thanks in advance,
> 
> Bruce Stumpp
> 
> #647, Adventure
> 
> Middle River, Maryland
> 
> 
> 

------------------------------

Message: 6
Date: Tue, 20 Aug 2024 11:10:21 +0000
From: ptormey 4square.net <ptormey at 4square.net>
To: "C320-List at Catalina320.com" <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Autopilot replacement
Message-ID:
    <BN0P221MB059042676C17BAF3A0BEDF04F68D2 at BN0P221MB0590.NAMP221.PROD.OUTLOOK.COM>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I installed the Raymarine below deck ram drive and I'm very happy with the results.

The shape of the rudder on a C320 and the offset of the pivot post of shaft let the rudder be "pushed around" by heav-ish following seas. That makes the wheel pilot unreliable when it's needed most. 

I followed Jeff Hare's instructions from the C320 site. He provides a CAD drawing for the mounting plates. I think you can save a little money by using aluminum for both plates, as the Stainless plate can only be seen at the foot of the bed. 

Fortunately, I already had a rudder position indicator which was cleverly mounted upside down!    

Pat
Pat Tormey
s/v Blues Skies
Newport RI

-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> On Behalf Of B. Stumpp via C320-list
Sent: Monday, August 19, 2024 8:57 PM
To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
Cc: B. Stumpp <bstumpp at comcast.net>
Subject: [C320-list] Autopilot replacement

After 20+ years my Raymarine ST4000+ autopilot is giving up. 

It has always been a bit jerky and noisy, unlike other units that are more
smooth and quiet.  

Would like to hear what others have installed.

Would also appreciate comments on satisfaction, ease of installation, smoothness of operation, etc.  

Thanks in advance,

Bruce Stumpp

#647, Adventure

Middle River, Maryland 

------------------------------

Message: 7
Date: Tue, 20 Aug 2024 08:20:37 -0400
From: John Beck <jbeck50 at gmail.com>
To: C320-List at catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Autopilot replacement
Message-ID:
    <CAOc9+m1ria93OtZZDwRt632X8ApM+ivQe8nsB7ghf6Lxqxgj1Q at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

What are the number you use for calibration?
Thanks
John
Sv Sailon
#518

Jb

On Tue, Aug 20, 2024 at 4:03?AM Dennis Cookson via C320-list <
c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:

> Hi Bruce, do you have a rudder reference as part of your installation? I
> also have a ST4000 and Smart Pilot system, and recently reinstalled my
> rudder reference which I had ignored since acquiring the boat, but which
> had never been fitted correctly. It was mounted in a different plane to the
> radial drive wheel and connected with elastic tethers. Since remounting it
> correctly, calibrating, and limiting the drive wheel to the same angular
> range), it has transformed the autopilot performance. It's quiet and smooth
> and only applies small corrections when necessary.  Might be worth
> recalibrating your system before shelling out for a replacement.
>
> Dennis Cookson
>  #0577, 'Catalina'
>
> > On 20 Aug 2024, at 01:58, B. Stumpp via C320-list <
> c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
> >
> > ?After 20+ years my Raymarine ST4000+ autopilot is giving up.
> >
> > It has always been a bit jerky and noisy, unlike other units that are
> more
> > smooth and quiet.
> >
> > Would like to hear what others have installed.
> >
> > Would also appreciate comments on satisfaction, ease of installation,
> > smoothness of operation, etc.
> >
> > Thanks in advance,
> >
> > Bruce Stumpp
> >
> > #647, Adventure
> >
> > Middle River, Maryland
> >
> >
> >
>
>

------------------------------

Message: 8
Date: Tue, 20 Aug 2024 16:49:28 +0100
From: Dennis Cookson <dennis at cooksons.net>
To: "C320-List at catalina320.com" <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Autopilot replacement
Message-ID: <2C5EF1BC-F434-466F-B957-0818A6ECE4A1 at cooksons.net>
Content-Type: text/plain;    charset=utf-8

I followed the calibration procedure in the ST4000 Owner?s Manual, John, which is comprehensive. The only number I recall entering was for rudder gain, and I set it to 5 which is in the middle of the range.

Dennis Cookson
#0577, ?Catalina'

> On 20 Aug 2024, at 13:20, John Beck via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
> 
> What are the number you use for calibration?
> Thanks
> John
> Sv Sailon
> #518
> 
> Jb
> 
> 
> On Tue, Aug 20, 2024 at 4:03?AM Dennis Cookson via C320-list <
> c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
> 
>> Hi Bruce, do you have a rudder reference as part of your installation? I
>> also have a ST4000 and Smart Pilot system, and recently reinstalled my
>> rudder reference which I had ignored since acquiring the boat, but which
>> had never been fitted correctly. It was mounted in a different plane to the
>> radial drive wheel and connected with elastic tethers. Since remounting it
>> correctly, calibrating, and limiting the drive wheel to the same angular
>> range), it has transformed the autopilot performance. It's quiet and smooth
>> and only applies small corrections when necessary.  Might be worth
>> recalibrating your system before shelling out for a replacement.
>> 
>> Dennis Cookson
>> #0577, 'Catalina'
>> 
>>> On 20 Aug 2024, at 01:58, B. Stumpp via C320-list <
>> c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>> ?After 20+ years my Raymarine ST4000+ autopilot is giving up.
>>> 
>>> It has always been a bit jerky and noisy, unlike other units that are
>> more
>>> smooth and quiet.
>>> 
>>> Would like to hear what others have installed.
>>> 
>>> Would also appreciate comments on satisfaction, ease of installation,
>>> smoothness of operation, etc.
>>> 
>>> Thanks in advance,
>>> 
>>> Bruce Stumpp
>>> 
>>> #647, Adventure
>>> 
>>> Middle River, Maryland
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>> 
>> 

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