Autopilot for 18,00 Lb Westerly Discus

[Andrew_Palmer]

I want to replace my aged autopilot for my wheel steering Westerly Discus. Her displacement is 16,000Lbs so it is recommended to get an aotopilot which will handle 18,000Lbs to cover the gear etc on board. The popular Raytheon Modelt S1 and X5 are designed to handle 16,500Lbs. Raytheon recommended that they are not suitable for my boat but the alternatives seem to be for hydraulic steering. Does anyone have experience of fitting an S1 or X5 on a similar sized yacht? It seems to me that due to lack of alternatives most people must use these systems on even bigger yachts up to 36' or so.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[PeterGibbs]

I went through this calculation 10 years ago when upgrading from a Fulmar to a Bav 38 of similar weight to yours.

I plumped for a Simrad hydraulic on the quadrant - best decision I ever made. Mind you, it's not the cheapest solution, but when amortized over the years, it pays handsomely. I have never had to spend a penny on it and it handles all situations.

I would add, I had it installed by Fox's and they, as usual, did a good job. I am so glad to have moved on from swinging arms and tiny motors geared down with elastic bands, and PCB's that shorted in the rain..

Good luck!

PWG

 

[Fr J Hackett]

I used to have the predesessor to the S1 on my V34 which in cruising trim was probably about 9 tonnes, it coped although at times was very hard pressed and occaisonally gave up the fight. As a longish keel configuration she tracks very well and would steer herself in moderate conditions with a balanced sail plan so I guess your discus would be close and under most conditions will be OK. I allways carried a spare belt although I can only remember it breaking once but it invairiably stretched and began to slip. For a number of reasons I moved away from the wheel Pilot option and went for the inboard option ( I am only just recovering from the shock of the cost) and don't regret it.

I don't think you are going to be able to find a more powerfull wheelpilot so your choice will be between the Raymarine or Simrad or going the full hog and converting to inboard.

I am pretty sure that the S1 will cope but not all the time.