Autopilot help

[WillT]

I've got a Regal 3560 and I desperately need autopilot installed as I want to use the boat for long trips at 8 knots.

The boat has VP Kad 300's so the steering is mechanical not hydraulic, which wouldn't normally be a problem, however after having Raymarine look at the boat for what I thought would be a simple install, it turns out that I can't have a normal hydraulic ram installed because the engines are too close to the transom, so a custom unit would need to be made which would cost mega money. So I've ruled this out...

My question is this, would it be possible to install a raymarine SPX-5 wheel pilot. The boat is way beyond the spec of the unit, as it says it can only do 7500kg displacement and my boat will be more like 11000kg fully laden, and also says 30ft max length.

I don't need this autopilot for rough weather, this is not its aim. I want it simply for when cruising up the coast at slow speed, and sometimes at 26knots, but again not in bad weather.

I assume the unit would deal with this sort of environment ok, but would be good to hear from the experts.

If anyone has any other suggestions for a below deck auto pilot that would be great. I want to do this fairly cheaply simply because I'm only looking to keep the boat another 1-2 years, and then move onto something else.

Thanks!

 

[WillT]

Any ideas chaps

 

[saltysplash]

Any ideas chaps

Could you not try something like this that connects direct to the wheel http://www.yachtbits.fsnet.co.uk/autopilots/sim-wheel.htm

 

[aquatom]

I have fitted the Raymarine remote drive unit in the past. I would have thought you can still get it. It's an electric drive motor mounted onto a short steering cable. It is tight at the back of the engine but it can be done.

 

[Boathook]

I've got a Regal 3560 and I desperately need autopilot installed as I want to use the boat for long trips at 8 knots.

The boat has VP Kad 300's so the steering is mechanical not hydraulic, which wouldn't normally be a problem, however after having Raymarine look at the boat for what I thought would be a simple install, it turns out that I can't have a normal hydraulic ram installed because the engines are too close to the transom, so a custom unit would need to be made which would cost mega money. So I've ruled this out...

My question is this, would it be possible to install a raymarine SPX-5 wheel pilot. The boat is way beyond the spec of the unit, as it says it can only do 7500kg displacement and my boat will be more like 11000kg fully laden, and also says 30ft max length.

I don't need this autopilot for rough weather, this is not its aim. I want it simply for when cruising up the coast at slow speed, and sometimes at 26knots, but again not in bad weather.

I assume the unit would deal with this sort of environment ok, but would be good to hear from the experts.

If anyone has any other suggestions for a below deck auto pilot that would be great. I want to do this fairly cheaply simply because I'm only looking to keep the boat another 1-2 years, and then move onto something else.

Thanks!

A lot will depend on how heavy the steering is as the unit is limited in 'power'. I would suspect that if your steering is light the unit would be ok. Does the SPX-5 specify maximum torque that it can apply and are you able to measure the torque / force to turn your wheel? In the past I have found the technical help people at Raymarine very good and realistic over use of equipment. By the way I fitted a SPX-5 last winter to my boat and I am very pleased with the way it works, etc.

 

[jimg]

Does it have to be Raymarine? There are other autopilots.