Raymarine ST5000 - advice please

[Whitelighter]

I Know this is a retired unit and has been replaced with the ST6002 core packs, but as an Autohelm, does it work ok? Are there any major issues and would it make a good buy.

Have been offered a new boxed one, never fitted but at a very good price.

 

[Talbot]

st5000 was the entry level of decent autohelms (i.e. those that can run 24 hrs a day 7 days a week). The linear drive unit is not as powerful at the new S1 system, so if that is the unit with yours, and the boat weight is marginal, it may be a false economy.

The other disadvantage is that you cant fit tyhe rate gyros to this unit, and they make an enormous difference in bad weather conditions.

Other than that, a good system

 

[Whitelighter]

Thanks for that. The boat is twin stern drives, and the kit comes with the universal stern drive actuator that oporates the boats powersteering, so hopefully the linear drive not an issue. The boat is 5700kg, the current entry level Raymarine kit is up to 10000kg - I don't suppose you know the weight limits on the 5000?

 

[BlueChip]

I have a ST5000+ on a 37' yacht, 10,000 miles in 6 years without a hint of a problem and it handles even the worst and most demanding conditions. I wouldn't be without it. If you decide not to buy it please let me know by PM and I will buy it as a spare

 

[Talbot]

Manuals for the 5000 range are at http://www.raymarine.com/raymarine/Default.asp?site=1&Section=3&Page=657&Parent=166

I would have thought that that system should work.

 

[Whitelighter]

Thanks for all your answers. Do any of you know if this system will integrate with the latest generation of Raymarine plotters i.e. the C70?

 

[jfkal]

Should work via Seatalk.