Hydralic or not!

[prescott56]

Hi All,
I have a moody 36 (1980's) which is now having all the steering pedestal and driveshafts rebuilt making it, hopefully, as good as new. The steering is all shaft drive right through to the steering quadrant.
I also have a Hydrovane to fit in the next week or so.
I also have an old but working St4000 belt drive autopilot. but the poor thing struggles when the weather cuts up.
I was thinking of changing this for a new Simrad WP32 wheel pilot @ £600ish, however, should i really be thinking of a "proper" inboard pilot. I believe i would need
A linear drive (raymarine Type 1)
A "black box" ( Raymarine core pack)
and a head unit ( inc in core pack or a st6000)
Also mention of a rudder sensor.
Is this about it?
Cost of this little lot will no doubt be pushing £1500+
Question is "is it worth it"
I like the WP32 wheelpilot, dead simple to operate, and i assume it will be man enough for the boat.
Also with the Hydrovane if i ever get another steering failure i will at least have 2 independant systems.

What do you all think, spend the extra or not?
Regards
Roy

 

[gardenshed]

I had an original Raymarine Autohelm which had limited functionality (steer to course only) and was giving up the ghost so I researched the options and upgraded/changed.
My conclusions and learning after 2 years is:-
1. Definitely go for a proper inboard pilot (power to move the rudder & ability to optimise the main componenets)
2. Get one where the display/controller gives as much functionality as possible. The new Navman 3380.... amazing piece of kit
3. Integrate it to all your instruments so that you can set it to steer by GPS, Wind and compass course
4. make sure you have different profiles/settings that you can switch between, i.e. optimise ratio/response etc for light / med/ high winds, upwind, reaching & downwind
5. Yes you need a rudder sensor for the unit to work properly
6. You've got hydraulic steering so yes, use a hyrdaulic pump system.... it'll give you the power that you need

I now have a Lowrance plotter, Navman instruments & pilot and a Raymarine mechanical drive (steering is solimar cable/chain system, not a hydraulic system). I'm no great electrician or electronics specialist, but I've got everything working together very well. The pilot can easily be changed to display any data that is live on the system and so provides pilotage info at the helm in addition to the auto steer functions.
You'll spend a lot of money whatever you do, so go the whole way and get a full-on intergated pilot system.