Need Autopilot Recommendations (and warnings)

Evergreen · Post by **Evergreen** » Jan 14th, '11, 22:19

Monitors are on sale so I am seriously considering getting one.

Questions:
1) Have you ever had you watervane paddle come out of the water in rough weather, and if so what happens?
2) Have you ever bent or broken the "safety tube" on your monitor? Is it something that one must worry about in rough weather?
3) Do you think that the MRUD emergency rudder system, that can be retrofitted to a Monitor, is really something that could be feasibly put into use while under way?

Thanks for your experienced input.

John Schafer · Post by **John Schafer** » Jan 15th, '11, 11:59

I had a Hydrovane (RVG?) on an Ingrid, which took me down the west coast to New Zealand. It worked,but I always felt the servo-pendulum was a superior design and would focus in that direction. I just installed a Comnav autopilot in my 40 Cape Dory and still working out all the details on the installation, so far with about 100 hours of operation I am impressed. I am going to hook it up to there wind direction indicator so it will steer by wind direction or compass or GPS direction. About 80% of commercial fishboats going to Alaska use this pilot but most importantly its manufactured and serviced locally. They're not cheap, but I wanted something to hold up, and help that is a phone call away.

Dean Abramson · Post by **Dean Abramson** » Jan 15th, '11, 13:23

Lenny, I have an older Sailomat. We can talk about it next weekend. I like mine.

Dick Spangler · Post by **Dick Spangler** » Jan 15th, '11, 13:24

Evergreen,

What is the "on sale" deal on Monitors? Is Scanmar promoting some sort of "boat show" price?

Thanks

Evergreen · Post by **Evergreen** » Jan 15th, '11, 14:07

Straight from Ron Geick (designer at Scanmar) on January 14th: The Monitor (cost $3,795 with current discount) is a 'one-size-fits-all' unit, and we keep an inventory of completed Monitors always at hand. The only differences from boat to boat is the mounting system and the length of the safety tube. The only options are the choice between wheel adapter ($495) or tiller adapter ($60) and the optional 'cruising kit' (spare parts, $175). The M-Rud emergency steering add-on ($1,295 with current discount) can be retrofitted without any changes to the Monitor.

Como No Cruising · Post by **Como No Cruising** » Jan 15th, '11, 19:36

Re your questions:
#1 And #2- the answers are no. We never experienced either problem, nor has anyone we met anywhere we sailed
#3 We personally are aware of one boat that shipped their MRUD into place and steered with it from just a few hundred miles west of New Caledonia to Bundaberg Australia. I don't recall the exact mileage and do not have my logs handy, but the trip encompassed around 1000 nautical miles. The couple were even able to rig a tiller pilot to the MRUD. The boat was a Cal 39 and the rudder had sheared off at the hull. The husband & wife team of Al & Glennie did a great job and several articles were written in both the Helmsman magazine in Australia and a few other publications. I feel quite certain that Scanmar has further details and links to the articles and photos.

We were in a cruising rally from Vanuatu to Bundaberg when the incident occurred. It was a sobering sight to see Al & Glennie's boat when it was pulled from the water. There was nothing left of the rudder but a stub of stainless.

Think Spade rudder vs. attached "barn door" rudders.

We are also familiar with the Wind Pilot vanes and the Hydrovanes and both have enthuiastic followers.

Hope this helps.

Will & Annie

The Cape Dory Board

Need Autopilot Recommendations (and warnings)

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