Fitting an Autohelm

[davidphillips]

I would appreciate advice on fitting an autohelm. I have a Westerly Chieftain (centre cockpit, wheel steered version of the Centaur) and would like to (i) avoid aching arms during long trips (ii) improve course steered.

Is this an easy item to fit and are there any makes to choose/avoid? What is power consumption like?

 

[Chris_Stannard]

I do not know the Westerley Centaur so this may be of no help.
I had a Raytheon ST4000 in a Sigma 362. The units to be fitted are the control box, somewhere in the cockpit, which needs to be connected to the supply, the steering unit which is mounted on the wheel and the compass which needs to be mounted away from magnetic influence. It is not difficult to do if you are reasonably electrically competent. Do remember to make sure the cables are big enough for the power required. The Ray Marine website does give advice on the pilot required for each boat.

A couple of points on autohelms, if your arms are getting tired the boat is not properly balanced, it sounds as though you may ned to ease the main a touch so there is only a small and consistent amount of weather helm. If you do not balance the boat, the autohelm will work just as hard as you now do, and will drain your batteries. The next point is that autohelms do generallly not work well going down wind.
Mine is usually only engaged when either the engine is running or when I need to do a bit of chartwork or make a coffee.

Last thought, have you checked the friction in your steering gear to make sure every thing is working smoothly. This could be a source of tired arms.

Chris Stannard

 

[chrisc]

A word of warning

I have just fitted an ST 4000+ Wheel drive to a bavaria.
With square type binnacle.
after getting assurances from sale guys and asking questions
of raymarine on telephone and attempting to get an answer from their
webpage (unsuccesfully) i purchased the autopilot with the assurance that it would fit
straight on the binnacle . Did it s**t ! One has to do serious modifications to
the Binnacle so as to get the unit to fit ,also had to get bits made by local
stainless steel guy. I have since met two other guys in same harbour with
same problem (and had both come up with almost identical solutions.)
Why dont you the guys at raymarine look at the boats being built these days ?

 

[brians]

Re: A word of warning

A bit late for you but Opal Marine's electrician at Sparkes has the necessary bits in stock as well as a template for fitting. Saved me a lot of time. Not sure about the expense.

 

[jimi]

Re: A word of warning

Had the same problem on a Beneteau Oceanis!