Autopilot for SO36i

[Trevor]

I am researching the fitting of a Raymarine mechanical linear drive to the rudder of my new SO36i and wonder if anyone knows what model linear drive is fitted by Jeanneau when they factory fit one of these?

Does anyone know if it is a nightmare to fit or has Jeanneau allowed for the drive in the design of the boat?

Many thanks

[Geoff]

Hi

I am having the Raymarine ST6002 system factory fitted to my new SO36i, for delivery in February 2008.

Brgds.

Geoff.

[Trevor]

Many thanks Geoff,

Perhaps that is what I should have done. I am interested in exactly what sort of linear drive they are fitting onto the rudder. I figure they have allowed for the linear drive in the moldings around the rudder and fitting should be straight forward. I would hate to fit the drive and realise I have done it the hard way.

I hope you like the boat. We are thrilled with ours and just constantly smile when we are on her.

Trevor

[Trevor]

I have since been given a very good drawing from the Jeanneau factory and advice regarding the model of the mechanical drive. It is a type 1 linear drive and the drawing tells me exactly how to install it. I think this is pretty good service from Jeanneau. Congratulations to them for providing such prompt, accurate information.

[menja]

Hi. I am thinking about installing a Raymarine lineardrive on my SO 35. Does anybody have pictures or drawings of a factory installed autopilot? Is there anybody who have experience with a L1 autopilot on SO35? Is it strong enough for extended cruising (a circumnavigation)? Or should I choose a L2 drive even though it uses twice as much power? Thanks for any replyes.

[tpatelmd]

Dear Trevor,

I took delivery of a SO36i in June 2007 in San Diego. Could you please tell me who to contact regarding getting a copy of the drawing. Before letting the dealer or anyone else work on the boat, I want to know exactly what is involved. I have taken a look in that steering quadrant area and it is very cramped.

Also, I am having trouble keeping the broiler lit with the oven door closed. It will stay lit for about 1 minute before the flame will extinguish. My other big issue is that the left edge if the refrigerator is uneven and does not seal completely, allowing water condensation and possibly mold growth. Have you had any other issues?

Thank you.

Tushar

[Trevor]

Hello Tushar<
I will send you the drawing for the autopilot. It is the Raymarine type 1 linear mechanical drive. Without the drawing I would have struggled to have known what to do.

The fridge in ours seals well and I cannot really imagine the fault you describe as it is a top opening fridge. We have no problem with the oven either.

We note on a starboard tack if the head sink drain sea-cock is not closed she fills with water.

When delivered, the fuel and aft water tank guages didn't work but now they are fixed.

We do not like the saloon hatch opening toward the rear although we understand why the factory had to do that as the design has the hatch too close to the mast to open toward the front. We think this is a major blunder and we requested the hatch be reversed in the factory but they forgot. We are getting it turned around.

Battery capacity is pretty poor and often we must start the engine to recharge. I think it is fitted with car batteries from the factory. It has a 60-amp alternator on the Yanmar which I would have preferred to be a higher rating.

I have bent the swimming ladder and have noticed a lot of others are bent also. It is too weak and rests against a shape edge on the transom.

I'm not sure why they would have fitted the genoa halyard clutch on the mast when it could have been fitted on the coach roof. We release the genoa halyard tension after each sail so it is a bit inconvenient.

We think the shower rose is too heavy a flow rate for a boat and does not stay in "spray mode" but goes back to single stream mode if pressure is not enough. It looks good at the boat show but is quite impractical I think.

The saloon table extension is a complete joke so if offered that extension when buying a boat do not assume it will all fit nicely like we did. The cost was pretty high and we would never have ordered it if we had known.

Our Raymarine depth sounder keeps giving us false readings (low water alarm) which is very annoying.

The float switch on the bilge pump system does not work properly. It can be covered in water and the bilge does not turn on. It is intermittent but I really must get to fixing that.

It sounds like we are having a lot of problems but we really love this boat and in fact in general she is beautiful. We think she represents good value for money and is a very well thought out design.

Regards,

Trevor

[sailingpages]

Hi Trevor,

I am looking at ordering a SO36i shortly, and am also interested in the installation of the Raymarine Autopilot drive unit.

Could you perhaps please send me the diagram for fitting the Type 1 drive also. I would like to see how complicated it is to install myself, or whether to have it fitted from the factory.

Geoff.

[Geoff]

Hi
I am just having my 36i commissioned Burnham (England).

The build quality looks great.

I have 70 AMP X2 for the domestic and 1 X 70 AMP for the engine.

I have the twin cabin version and I am fitting a Honda whisper generator in there to charge the batteries. I will probably get the bigger alternator fitted during the winter.

I had the auto pilot factory fitted...and whilst it probably cost a bit more if it goes wrong I have some comeback.

Good Luck.

Geoff. ;D

[Trevor]

Hello,

I have sent the drawing of the autopilot installation. Hope it helps.

And to the other Geoff, yes she will be beautiful. We love ours and just keep adding new toys to her. This weekend it was a BBQ on the push pit rail. The cost of the autopilot means we may have to wait for that addition a little while yet.

Regards,

Trevor

[tpatelmd]

Trevor,

Raymarine is to come out with a new model of autopilot which does not require the installation of the rudder sensor. From looking at the diagram, this would eliminate the installation of a small bracket on which the rudder sensor rests. Easier installation, with a probable increase in price... color display...

Tushar

[seaotter2]

Hi Trevor

We too are encountering an Autopilot dilemma, on our SO 37. The old ST4000+ is retired and the replacement S1 requires a rudder sensor to be installed and our quandrant is circular and yes there is very limited room. We would be interested in that drawing too, if you didn't mind???

The next option that doesn't require a rudder sensor by Raymarine is the new X5 and apparently it is being released till June. Doesn't help our problem stuck in California hoping to head off across the Pacific in three weeks and we don't have a working Autohelm!!

[Trevor]

Hi Tushar,

I didn't know about the new autopilot eliminating the need for the rudder sensor. Too late for me because I just bought one from the USA on Ebay!! Oh well, when it gets here I will just put up with installing the rudder sensor. We are really looking forward to having the autopilot working.

Thanks for the information,

Kind regards,

Trevor

[Trevor]

Hi Seaotter2,

If you enable visibility of your email address on your profile I will send you the drawing of the Autopilot installation, or you can just send me a quick note to [e-mail]. Not having to worry about the rudder sensor is a great thing but I have already bought one that requires the bracket. Never mind, I'm still happy unless I learn that the new model is much cheaper than the one I just bought.

Many thanks,

Trevor

[tpatelmd]

Trevor,

I spent a week at the boat and was snooping around the steering quadrant. Way too tight a fit in there. Short of renting a midget or a 6 year old kid, I am definitely going to have someone else install the autopilot. After you get yours installed, take some snaps for the rest of us.

I solved the refrigerator leak by using some carpet tape. (It is used to keep area rugs from sliding around on slick floors and is thin & foamy.) Just found it at the Home Depot carpet section by chance.

The oven is supposed to be kept slightly ajar while using the broiler (needs oxygen??).... thats the word from Jeanneau.

Thanks.

Tushar

[Trevor]

Hi Tushar,

Your right! It is tight but when I saw the installation diagram it gave me hope that at least I knew where things should go. I will take some happy snaps and liberally distribute them, particularly if it all goes well. If it is a disaster, I may reconsider my options ;D. I bought the Autopilot on ebay and the delivery lead time is quite long so it may be a while before it is installed.

Good news on the fridge and broiler.

Kind regards

Trevor

[Geoff]

Hi all

Just brought our new 36i back to her home port. The Autopilot was faultless and coms in really handy if a quick dash up front to help Mandy is required.

On the oven front. You will find a sliding metal panel at the top of the oven and this should be pulled out as it stops the control buttons getting really hot.

Good luck.

Geoff.

[Trevor]

Geoff,

Congratulations!!! We just came back from a 60Nm (120 return) passage last weekend and we are really looking forward to having that autopilot. We have had the saloon hatch reversed and we are very pleased with that slight modification.

Great work with the generator. Nice installtion. I saw it on the other forum.

I really hope you enjoy her as much as we enjoy ours.

Regards,

Trevor

[seaotter2]

We decided to get an S1G installed on our SO 37 by a professional. He agreed that the area back there is cramped but it can be done. However they need to manufacture a S/S plate to affix to the quandrant so that it will all work. He felt that the ST4000 was a bit underpowered for a 37 footer with full cruising gear and any heavy weather. So hopefully this will turn out to be a good, yet expensive decision. Good luck to those of you who are yet to install one. It will cost us about $1900 US in Labour alone!!

cheers
Karen

[Trevor]

Hello all,

I have bought a complete Raymarine S1G autopilot on the 13th of March on Ebay from a vendor in the USA. So far I have not received it and the vendor doesn't seem to be contactable. I have started a dispute resolution process through Ebay.

Hopefully the autopilot will arrive but I am not holding my breath.

Regards,

Trevor

[Trevor]

I have been in dispute with the EBAY seller now for a couple of months but I have finally got my money back!! ;D ;D He did not communicate at all with me despite me trying but I had about $3000 at stake so I was not going away.

I buy off EBAY regularly but I would avoid buying anything from "The Marine Store", Ebay identifaction of "oldremains". Although he is rated as a "Powerseller" his business practices are disgracefull and he should be avoided under all circumstances.

Now I have to go off and buy another one....the saga continues

Trevor