New Autopilot

[NealP]

I am replacing my autopilot for an inboard and am looking for advice which make is best all advice welcome as I'm confused which manufacturer to go for.

<span style="color:blue"> </span>

 

[Koeketiene]

Fitted a new Cetrek 730 last year.
After one year of extensive use in all kinds of weather I have not been able to fault it once.
Very reliable, steady as a rock.

Got it here: http://www.theservicecentre.eu/

 

[Jonny_H]

Ours is an AP9000 by C-Tronix. Never heard of them before - website is here:

http://www.c-tronix.com/ap9000systems/view.nhtml+profile=ap9000systems&UID=15

The links are all broken on the website - but there is a price on the above page. Email the guy - he was very helpful re spares for ours (not that we needed any, but wanted to know we could get them if needed).

Used it quite a lot this year - no problems at all - very quiet, reasonably low power draw and holds a good course even with a following sea (it has a computer which learns the motion of the boat and steers accordingly). From the website it looks as if the units are well over-engineered for a 40foot yacht!

Not sure if its classed as inboard? It has a computer box below decks and a rudder reference unit on the steering quadrant. The steering itself is done by a motor mounted on the steering shaft infront of the wheel (white box in pic below):

Jonny

 

[captainslarty]

IMHO, the newer raymarine units are pretty darn good. I also had a cetrek unit (701) analogue.. was a beaut of a thing.. however, lack of spares necessitated a change. The problem with Cetrek now is there are no real stock of spares, they are only selling off old units with little support if any.

We have replaced it with the following.

RM S2G course computer, two ST6002 control heads. Type 2 rotary drive (underdeck).

Mind you, its a backup to the superb Hydrovane self steering, AND the st1000 unit for the hydrovane in light airs..

AND, we also have an st4000 as backup (Wheel pilot)... do you get the impression we dont do the 'Steer' thing lol

After the first two or three thousand mile the joy of steering is lost... sit in the plilot house and let the robots do the work.. read a book, let the radar keep watch, monitor the ais from time to time.. the Radar sees better than my eyes.

Check ebay from time to time, we got the S2G, 2 6002 heads, all wiring and link ups, (and many bits we sold on like a hydraulic pump etc) for 450 gbp, brand new.. the type 2 drive was 200 gbp...

We also have an RF remote control, and a joystick unit in the cockpit.. all raymarine.. and all bargains..
We are thinking of ditching the wheel lol..

Joe n Jayne

 

[Mrnotming]

just fitted an octopus drive MDR-40 cable drive unit to my 13000lb 36 foot sloop in Malta.SIMRAD s10 just announced is similar.advantage is that the raymarine 4000+ Control head will drive this octopus drive,made in Canada.GOOGLE all the words.on a nokia 770 tablet instead of laptop so my output is slow. more later.

 

[Csail]

I use Autohelm 3000st but its never been quite right, maybe just the boat but everone else reckons they are fine.

 

[seaspider]

Hi.My boat has a c-tronix AP9000 autopilot. I have some sales literature but not the manual regarding installation or installation. If you have theseand are willing to copy them to me I am willing to pay a sensible fee.

 

[seaspider]

Hi. Do you have a manual you could copy for me. I have just bought a sailing ketch which has the AP9000. I have no idea how it works. Would be willing to pay for a copy if you have on. Many thanks.

 

[GrahamM376]

With out last boat and this we've had Autohelm ST5000s with type 1 linear drives for 15 years. Operated perfectly in some pretty rough conditions and strong winds. ST5000 computer has now been superseded.