Which Autopilot

[skipmac]

We have both a below decks rotary drive autopilot and a wind pilot. With a Duogen on the stern, boarding ladder and Wind Pilot the stern is full. We also have four solar panels on the guardwires so we are not short of power and can pretty easily keep the batteries charged 24/7 without use of the generator or engine on ocean passages. Even so, we enjoy using the Windpilot and when conditions are right it steers us for days on end. There are times when we are doing sail changes or a squall comes through at a different direction and we switch over to the AP. Other times when we have been in rough conditions and the wind is all over the place we have just stuck with the AP. Super easy to do course changes from the shelter of the sprayhood without going outside to tweak the Wind Pilot. One backs up the other.

How did you mount the solar panel on the guardwires (assume that is Brit speak for lifelines in American English).? I have one on my lifelines so far.

I cut a piece of SS tubing and slid the wire through the tube and inserted homemade PVC bushings on each end to keep from cutting wire with the edge of the tube. Then clamped a bracket to the SS tube and panel screwed to the bracket. Plan to put a brace under the panel and rotate it out to horizontal like a wing but not sure how that will do at sea.

Did you do something similar or another idea?

 

[geem]

How did you mount the solar panel on the guardwires (assume that is Brit speak for lifelines in American English).? I have one on my lifelines so far.

I cut a piece of SS tubing and slid the wire through the tube and inserted homemade PVC bushings on each end to keep from cutting wire with the edge of the tube. Then clamped a bracket to the SS tube and panel screwed to the bracket. Plan to put a brace under the panel and rotate it out to horizontal like a wing but not sure how that will do at sea.

Did you do something similar or another idea?

I bolted s/s pressed sail hanks to the frames of the panels so they can be clipped to the guardwires. I use notched wooden props on the frames to adjust the angle but generally leave the panels horizontal even when sailing. We have done four Atlantic crossings with this set up.

 

[skipmac]

I bolted s/s pressed sail hanks to the frames of the panels so they can be clipped to the guardwires. I use notched wooden props on the frames to adjust the angle but generally leave the panels horizontal even when sailing. We have done four Atlantic crossings with this set up.

Do you tie them in somehow to prevent the hanks from sliding back and forth on the lines?

And assume the panels stick outboard when deployed and not over the deck.

 

[geem]

Do you tie them in somehow to prevent the hanks from sliding back and forth on the lines?

And assume the panels stick outboard when deployed and not over the deck.

Yes, hanks are tied to closest stanchion. Panels outboard

 

[TiggerToo]

I was reading this thread with interest, whilst also looking at the manufacturers' data/info.

Raymarine specify the following:

"Must be able to back-drive steering system from the rudder. "

What does this actually mean, in plain English?

 

[pvb]

I was reading this thread with interest, whilst also looking at the manufacturers' data/info.

Raymarine specify the following:

"Must be able to back-drive steering system from the rudder. "

What does this actually mean, in plain English?

It means that you must be able to turn the rudder by hand, resulting in the steering wheel rotating. If your boat had a worm-drive steering system, for example, you wouldn't be able to do this.

 

[fdom]

Hello, to the thread owner: Have you installed a linear drive in a N343. I own hull no 132 of the same model and look into installing either a Raymarine type 1 linear drive or a Jefa linear drive but am not sure how to fit it. Thanks for an update