Auto Pilot advice please...

[ex-Gladys]

I've been thinking about changing the (rarely used) Navico WP5000 belt drive wheel pilot on Gladys, mainly because the pedestal bracket is a complete PITA (because of the narrow gap between the side of the cockpit and the pedestal) and mounting and unmounting the unit all the time . Gladys has Whitlock Mamba steering, so what's the perceived wisdom for installing an AP with Mamba systems? Is it Wheel drive? Hydraulic? interested minds need to know...

 

[CalicoJack]

We have a Neptunian (Center Cockpit, wheel driven) about 1980 vintage with Whitlock Mamba steering. The AP is a Cetrek730, which has a large electric motor which, via a chain and sprocket, like on a bike, turns the steering rod as it passes under the port quarter berth. Without wishing to tempt fate it seems to work very well.

 

[RAI]

I have an electric drive on a Whitlock Mamba system. When the very old drive unit finally burnt out, I coughed up the considerable loot for a Raymarine alternative. And some more for a sprocket that was extra.
It works a charm again, but ouch, the price.

 

[Koeketiene]

We have a Neptunian (Center Cockpit, wheel driven) about 1980 vintage with Whitlock Mamba steering. The AP is a Cetrek730, which has a large electric motor which, via a chain and sprocket, like on a bike, turns the steering rod as it passes under the port quarter berth. Without wishing to tempt fate it seems to work very well.

We have one of those - brilliant bit of kit.

Our set-up is somewhat different though. The AP CPU drives a hydraulic ram on the quadrant, bypassing the helm altogether.
That way, if the steering 'breaks' we can still helm using the AP.

 

[ex-Gladys]

We have one of those - brilliant bit of kit.

Our set-up is somewhat different though. The AP CPU drives a hydraulic ram on the quadrant, bypassing the helm altogether.
That way, if the steering 'breaks' we can still helm using the AP.

Thanks all for your responses. The WP 5000 doesn't cope anyway. Guapa, that's one of the things that struck me, as I don't have space to fit an emergency tiller even if I had one. Not keen on chain and sprockets, as there isn't really space... Hey ho, most expensive solution again!

 

[tjbrace]

I had to saw off my wheel pilot mid channel a few years ago after a drive belt failure that jambed the helm. I now have an electrohydraulic ram that operates on the quadrant like Guapa. Ours is controlled by a Garmin unit.