Autopilots

[Sea Devil]

Will be collecting my newly purchased Prout 33 catamaran next week - I suspect the Cetrek autopilot is nearing the end of its life.....

What should I replace it with?

I have not owned a boat with hydraulic steering so would be grateful for advice.

Michael

 

[boatmike]

You don't say what type or Cetrek it is Michael and if it operates directly on your hydraulics or not. As I built PEREGRINE myself I did not fit hydraulic steering actually as it lacks feel and feedback but have a Whitlock cable system (probably the only one on a Prout ever!) However the important answer to your question is that I have a Robertson AP3000X system with an HLD350 Hydraulic actuator fitted to the tiller connecting bar accessed through the cover in the central tunnel where you have your steering actuator. It is absolutely fantastic and steers the boat on any heading in even the most extreme sea states far better than I can. In fact I seldom steer with the wheel unless in harbour! The bad news is that it was rather expensive (Approaching £4000 when I bought mine about 5 years ago) but Robertson kit is absolutely superb both in performance and reliability and in my view there is nothing to touch them. At that time they were marketed by SIMRAD. I believe however that whatever you buy (and there are others of course) you get what you pay for. Beware of cheapies that turn the steering wheel. You need to operate directly on the tiller arm in my view and hydraulics are more reliable than linear drives with ballscrews. I believe with Robertson that you can tandem the pump into your existing hydraulics so that you can lock your wheel and use the pump or turn off the autopilot pump and use the wheel, this might mean you don't need the complete actuator, only the pump which will reduce the bill somewhat. You can probably do this with most hydraulic autopilots actually.... Sorry! It's time to dig in the wallet again I am afraid!

 

[Sea Devil]

Mike hi,
Thanks for that info - Hydraulic steering is new to me - I am not worried about lack of feel as I too never helm! If I can avoid it...

I do not know what model Cetrek it is - will look asap - I had a look at the Raytheon Hydraulic systems which I think would come out at around £1500. Just need to understand the Hydraulic system and how it works before trying to fit - need to do that anyway...

Do the Raytheon Hydraulic systems have a good reputation? - I have always been pleased with my other Raytheon products - radar wind etc.

 

[boatmike]

I certainly don't know anything against them Michael, OK as far as I know but the Robertson lot also have a cheaper one now at around that price too.

 

[simonfraser]

just replaced my cheaper simrad autopilot with a much better raytheon one

 

[Anonymous]

We have hydraulic steering (and it allows plenty of 'feel') with a Raymarine linear electric servo. It works perfectly and has been round the world once. I took it into Raymarine for a service/check in January and they said that no work was required as it was as good as new! Maybe the PO had had it serviced but even so it had come back from the Canaries at the very least. I understand that the electric is a fraction of the price of the hydraulic and uses far less power. Might be worth phoning Raymarine direct for thier opinion - I wouldn't bother asking any of the Raymarine dealers I've ever met. You'll be glad to get back onto the water again, I imagine.

 

[jimboaw]

If it aint broke don't fix it. Had a Cetrek on my last boat, Fjord 33 MS with dual station hydraulic. Probably almost as old as the boat. 1974/5 if memory serves. Did UK-Canaries-Madiera-Gib-Uk with out a hint of trouble. Save your money for a while. Good luck.