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Post by Purple Mist on Oct 4, 2011 12:51:04 GMT
We would like to fit a linear drive system to our SO 36i, say the Raymarine SPX-10 type1, but have been advised there is insufficient room for the rudder quandrant drive mechanism. I understand the factory fit autohelm is a wheel drive system. Has anyone experience of fitting and/or using these systems please?.
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Post by flippercarson on Oct 4, 2011 14:41:56 GMT
I have an '08 36i with a Raymarine 6002+ Autopilot system. It's linear drive AND was installed by the factory.
I would not recommend a wheel driven autopilot to anyone that can avoid it.
If you REALLY need pics, PM me and I'll see what I can do.
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maby
Full Member
SO33i Vixen
Posts: 44
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Post by maby on Oct 4, 2011 16:39:08 GMT
I have an '08 36i with a Raymarine 6002+ Autopilot system. It's linear drive AND was installed by the factory. I would not recommend a wheel driven autopilot to anyone that can avoid it. ... We're also investigating autopilots - would be interested to hear your objections to wheel pilots. |
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Post by Full Circle on Oct 4, 2011 22:24:14 GMT
I have factory fitted Raymarine ST4000 on my SO35. It barely copes in flat sea, and the clutch tries to work the lever down in heavy use.
It does not respond well in a quartering sea, and sometimes the calibration drops out for no apparent reason, and it turns sharply without warning.
I now only use it for motoring in a straight line.
I have been looking into the Simrad AP24 but they are not cheap.
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Post by Don Reaves on Oct 5, 2011 1:26:49 GMT
I also have a factory fitted Raymarine ST4000 on my SO35. I'm happy with it, though I've never expected an autopilot to handle quartering seas well, so I haven't been disappointed.
The best thing, though is the autotack feature. Since I singlehand most of the time, this is very important to me. I can tack the boat alone in about 30-40 seconds using the autopilot.
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Post by flippercarson on Oct 5, 2011 2:28:46 GMT
My experience with wheel driven autopilots is that they are (relatively speaking) quite slow... as a result they do not manage a following sea well and can even struggle to keep up on a reach in a rolling sea. Also, relatively speaking (again), they can be noisy, especially as they age. I'm not knocking them for people who don't have other options, and it isn't my intention to hurt anyone's feelings or get defensive reactions from those who might have them, but if you have the choice, go for a linear drive. Good luck. I have an '08 36i with a Raymarine 6002+ Autopilot system. It's linear drive AND was installed by the factory. I would not recommend a wheel driven autopilot to anyone that can avoid it. ... We're also investigating autopilots - would be interested to hear your objections to wheel pilots. |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2011 4:20:33 GMT
I’d agree with the noise component of even on the new generations of wheel pilots. And I’d also agree with the performance concerns when comparing the old Raymarine ST4000 plus to a below decks pilot.
However, the new generations do rival below deck performance as adverstised. The current Raymarine X-5 wheel pilots have a separate course computer, gyro, and 6002 control head like the below deck versions. My 2003 SO35 came with the ST4000. I found it nearly useless in any wind where weather helm may be present and in a following sea. I replaced it with the X-5 and I have yet to encounter any conditions with which it could not cope.
Having said that, for any boat that can accommodate a below decks pilot, I’d take that route if for no other reason than the noise. It can get very tiresome. However, if a wheel pilot is your only choice, I would not be concerned with performance. Just my experience.
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Post by flightdeck on Oct 5, 2011 4:44:43 GMT
Have a look in the tips and hint section, Trevor Bird fitted an autopilot to his 36i and included a series of pictures under the heading of "Autopilot installation" , Trevor did a number of upgrades to his 36i very well and shared them with us.
Cheers
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Post by Purple Mist on Oct 5, 2011 14:44:03 GMT
Thanks for your replies, these have helped me decide it must be a linear drive. Flightdeck's response reminded me of the contribution by Trevor Bird. I do remember reading this at the time, but I cannot find it on the forum.
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Post by MalcolmP on Oct 5, 2011 17:14:36 GMT
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2011 18:03:45 GMT
My SO36i (2010) has been fitted with a Raymarine SPX10 Type 1 Linear Drive with an ST70 Control Head; a very good installation by (Chichester based) Roger Upham <<www.rumeltd.co.uk>>. Roger had a right angled SS plate made to mount the drive unit.
I do a lot of singlehanding and the performance of this autopilot has been excellent.
Tip - many years ago I had a drive unit seize; get the installer to show you the access to the drive arm quick release pin - it is accessed at the rear of the aft starboard cabin.
Nice boat!
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debenboy
Full Member
Posts: 46
Country: UK
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Post by debenboy on Oct 6, 2011 8:46:51 GMT
I too have this combination of kit on my 36i.
Excellent, and so far one of the bits which has performed consistently well.
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Post by Anwen (Deep Joy) on Oct 6, 2011 19:21:14 GMT
I have a Raymarine XP-5 on my SO32, and it is light years better than the ST4000 wheel pilot which went phut just before our summer cruise 2 years ago. The wheel drive mechanism looks the same, but I think the motor has a lot more grunt. The permanent magnets in the new unit certainly played havoc with the binnacle compass to the point where it is unusable.
If I had a 36i, I would be looking to install a linear drive unit. The new XP series computers have an intertial sensor in them which is looking at the rate of change of boat angle, and consequently they control better in a quartering sea.
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Post by mkremedy on Oct 11, 2011 3:45:07 GMT
Purple Mist,
When we purchased our 2007 36i, we had a Raymarine ST-6002 Autopilot E12108 installed by the factory. It works great and it is wired into the GPS. It is quiet and it is out of the way.
Our old boat had a wheel mounted autopilot, what a pain it was, took up space in the cockpit and it was noisy.
Go for a linear pilot, it one of the best things you could do.
Happy Sailing
mkremedy
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Post by so40gtb on Oct 30, 2011 23:53:21 GMT
We have a Raymarine S1 wheel pilot on our SO34.2. It's OK for what it is, but the linear drive units we've experienced on Caribbean charter boats work better.
--Karl
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