Retrofit autopilot.

[Sneaky Pete]

Does anyone have knowledge of whether it is possible to fit a linear drive autopilot to a Beneteau 343 that currently has the wheel type autopilot, the wheel type are ok but not great. There appears to be limited height between the cockpit floor and the steering quadrant below but there is some depth.

 

[John Willis]

In similar vein, has anyone fitted a retrofit autopilot (e,g, Garmin 40) to a cable steered boat, in my case a Beneteau 760? The Raymarine Wheel pilot won't fit without 'surgery'.

 

[davidej]

I can’t see why not. Our 361 has the ram in the starboard lazerette connected to the quadrant which has the steering cables fixed to it.

 

[John Willis]

Thanks David

 

[PaulRainbow]

In similar vein, has anyone fitted a retrofit autopilot (e,g, Garmin 40) to a cable steered boat, in my case a Beneteau 760? The Raymarine Wheel pilot won't fit without 'surgery'.

I've fitted Garmin Reactor 40s to cable steered boats. Much better than a wheelpilot.

 

[John Willis]

Brilliant Paul. I'll give it a go

 

[Tranona]

Does anyone have knowledge of whether it is possible to fit a linear drive autopilot to a Beneteau 343 that currently has the wheel type autopilot, the wheel type are ok but not great. There appears to be limited height between the cockpit floor and the steering quadrant below but there is some depth.

I don't think the normal linear unit will fit for the reason you identified. However, I remember seeing an article on fitting this type of drive bandg.com/en-gb/bg/type/autopilots/autopilot-drive-units/ to one of the smaller Beneteaus. They are not common, partly because only a small number of boats benefit from them and of course are typically more than twice the price of the wheel drive. You may however be able to re-use your existing controller to drive the SD10 motor. If I remember rightly the motor was mounted fore and aft and the drive went through 90 degrees to the steering arm or quadrant.

Worth talking to B&G

 

[John Willis]

I hadn't looked at B&G but will do so

 

[PaulRainbow]

I don't think the normal linear unit will fit for the reason you identified. However, I remember seeing an article on fitting this type of drive bandg.com/en-gb/bg/type/autopilots/autopilot-drive-units/ to one of the smaller Beneteaus. They are not common, partly because only a small number of boats benefit from them and of course are typically more than twice the price of the wheel drive. You may however be able to re-use your existing controller to drive the SD10 motor. If I remember rightly the motor was mounted fore and aft and the drive went through 90 degrees to the steering arm or quadrant.

Worth talking to B&G

I hadn't looked at B&G but will do so

Tranona was replying to Sneaky Pete. If i was you i'd stick with the Garmin.

 

[tjbrace]

I can’t see why not. Our 361 has the ram in the starboard lazerette connected to the quadrant which has the steering cables fixed to it.

Same here, First 38s5.

 

[ChromeDome]

In similar vein, has anyone fitted a retrofit autopilot (e,g, Garmin 40) to a cable steered boat, in my case a Beneteau 760? The Raymarine Wheel pilot won't fit without 'surgery'.

If I'm not mistaking the Beneteau 760 is a motorboat?

I believe it has hydraulic steering as standard which means several options to install an Auto Pilot (panel + compass + computer to control a pump near the steering ram). To be integrated into the existing hyd. steering with some tailored hoses and connectors. Any AP that I know of will be NMEA2000 and connect plug 'n play to your chartplotter etc. for that to push navigation of routes to the AP computer when so desired.

With this solution you will not see the steering wheel move when the AP is at work.

If it is cable steering you can get similar installation kits, specifically for that.

 

[andrewAB]

I fitted a Garmin/Jeffa LD100 drive to my 343. Details and pictures.
Tinypilot with linear drive installed on my Beneteau 343

Other have used Raymatine Type 1.

 

[Plum]

If I'm not mistaking the Beneteau 760 is a motorboat?

I believe it has hydraulic steering as standard which means several options to install an Auto Pilot (panel + compass + computer to control a pump near the steering ram). To be integrated into the existing hyd. steering with some tailored hoses and connectors. Any AP that I know of will be NMEA2000 and connect plug 'n play to your chartplotter etc. for that to push navigation of routes to the AP computer when so desired.

With this solution you will not see the steering wheel move when the AP is at work.

If it is cable steering you can get similar installation kits, specifically for that.

Yes, the Beneteau Antares 760 is a motorboat but no, not hydraulic, it has a single cable.

 

[mrangry]

I fitted a B&G type 2 linear drive to my Beneteau oceanis 440 and there wasnt a lot of room between the quadrant and the bit you walk on (ah old age), but works a treat. I bolted a length of 100mm aluminium box section to the stbd aft cabin bulkhead and mounted the ram onto that.

 

[noelex]

I don’t know about your specific installation but the Jefa autopilot drives often fit easily when other models cannot be accommodated.

They are fantastic drive units, but have woeful warranty support in my experience.

 

[ChromeDome]

Yes, the Beneteau Antares 760 is a motorboat but no, not hydraulic, it has a single cable.

Point taken.

Then the search should be for "mechanical auto pilot" as used for sterndrives etc.
Garmin, if their products are desired, in their selection guide suggests 010-02794-02 for cable steering.


Further investigation may find alternatives equally or better suited

Navico has a couple:
Si-Tex from www.octopuseurope.com
Simrad

Raymarine would have something too.

 

[PaulRainbow]

I don’t know about your specific installation but the Jefa autopilot drives often fit easily when other models cannot be accommodated.

They are fantastic drive units, but have woeful warranty support in my experience.

The Garmin Class A drive is a Jefa drive, any support issues would be dealt with by Garmin, but it's very rare for these to give any problems.

 

[noelex]

The Garmin Class A drive is a Jefa drive, any support issues would be dealt with by Garmin, but it's very rare for these to give any problems.

True, Garmin rebrand the small Jefa linear drive unit.
I was thinking of the Jafa direct drive autopilot units. These use a bell crank rather than a linear drive system. This produces a compact drive unit and means they can often fit in spaces that are not suitable for most autopilot drives.