Seized Autopilot

[amf]

Had to call out Seastart at the weekend as steering on boat seized. After performing various contortions to get to the power steering ram, Seastart chap found that the Raymarine autohelm (outdrive) ram had seized. It un-seized itself as he detached it and noticed that the connection plug fell out.

He admitted that he didn't know much about the Raymarine unit but thought that the loose electrical connection may have led to the ram seizing.

The Autopilot was only fitted last year and I intend to talk to Raymarine but has anyone else had a problem with the Raymarine ram seizing? and does the electrical explanation stack up?

Can't praise Seastart enough - got to me in Port Solent within 45 mins!

Cheers

Andrew

 

[hlb]

I discovered that my auto helm pump was not water proof and had to be kept dry after it failed, maybe about four years later. At 400 quid a throw it should be bloody bomb proof!!

 

[trev]

I had an Autohelm 6000 (pre Raymarine) - the ram siezed on me off Southend pier a couple of years ago. I had just enough 'play' in hand steering to make it to Bradwell where they disconnected the shaft. No one seemed to know why this had happened, but the black control box had burned out.
I was then able to use hand steering for the rest of the holiday.
BUT - no-one was interested or 'can't get the parts mate' to fix the thing so had to fork out two grand for a new Raymarine 7000+ which didn't please me at all. However since then no problems, and the new kit works a treat.
Is yours working again after re-connection - or are there some gremlins ?

 

[amf]

Thanks Trev.

Seems OK now, but haven't been out to give it a proper test.

Just trying to get experiences of others to see if I should expect the occasional jam or whether this is very unusual for a 1 year old autohelm. The fitters are going to give it the once over but I have a suspicion they will say its "just one of those things" /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif.

Cheers

Andrew