Low cost Autopilot

J

Jcorstorphine

Well-Known Member
Joined
19 Aug 2001
Messages
1,874
Location
Scotland
Visit site
Why does no one make a simple Low Cost £300 autopilot anymore. There used to be the Navco /Simrad Whellpilot 5000 belt driven, no frills no wireless connection, no ethernet or profibuss crap. Just simple engineering.

John
 
Thanks for reply but these are all Tiller Pilots, I am looking for a Wheel pilot. Simrad released a number of WP5000 some years ago for £300 each but by the time I had seen the adverts in the mags, they were sold out.

Regards

John
 
Normally wheel steering is only fitted on bigger boats which then need more powerful pilots which cost more so an ST4000 wheelpilot is about the same as an ST4000 tiller pilot. The only way to get a cheap electric pilot is to combine it with a servopendulum gear using th pilot to set the course but the servo to provide the power.
 
I have a WP5000 that I've now replaced, but it's missing a vital part of the clutch mechanism (dropped into the bilges never to be seen again). Are you replacing a unit, in which case you already have the clutch mechanism, or are you looking for a complete new system? I haven't had any luck from simrad or navico (whoever they are these days) in sourcing the missing part.
 
I sympathise with your plea for no bells and whistles. The fact is that with modern electronics the bells and whistles are almost nil cost to add to electronics. The wholen thing is run by a microprocessor and it is is hardly more than a bit of extra software to add all the options etc.
The end result is that a simple system is not significantly cheaper than one with all the connectivity. So they add all the options to sell the thing. The real cost being in the basic machine hardware.(which you do want). Just go with it, it seems to be the way of the future.

good luck olewill
 
Your best bet might be to find a second hand Autohelm 3000. This has a separate motor and long belt. Very reliable, but not powerful enough for boats over about 34ft. I have one on a Bavaria 37 but am upgrading to a 4000 for the extra power - but keeping the 3000 as a back up as they can both use the same compass and control head.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top