I'm looking at the various auto pilot options for a CD33. The lead contender right now is a Raytheon Autohelm ST4000 Plus Wheel system. Has anyone installed this system on their sailboat and, if so, how has it performed? Are there other auto pilot systems more suited to the vagaries/characteristics of a CD33? Thanks
vernetf@afwtf.navy.mil
Auto Pilot for a CD33
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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D. Stump, Hanalei
Re: ST4000+...just installed.
Frank,
I installed a ST4000+ on Hanalei (CD-30) about a month and a half ago. The installation and calibration/setup directions are clear, but you do have to think about it a little. One critical element is the placement of the fluxgate compass. Currently, I have it under the starboard seatee, aft end, towards the icebox bulkhead. It still shows too much deviation at that location, but not above spec.
If you do install one, one thing you will have to do is to drill a hole in the helm guard for the power cord for the drive motor. Determine the position for the hole, remove the guard and take it home to drill it on the drill press. Then, make sure you grommet the hole when installing the wire. I've seen a number of shipyard installations where this wasn't done, one simply wrapped the wire with electrical tape which looked like hell and will eventually wear through. Also, when you drill the hole through the center of the guard foot(at the deck) you may drill right into the main support beam for the wheel sheeves(I did on Hanalei). Not too worry! If the drill is long enough, you can go right through it(I think it was 2" square tubing) and follow it with a piece of string on a nail and use the string to pull the power wire through to the area under the helm. The above were really the only points that gave me any qualms during installation. Calibration and setup just take time and good reading comprehension.
I really like the unit. To engage it, all you do is steer on the magnetic course you want, flip the clutch lever, place the control panel in AUTO, and you're off. I placed the control head directly behind the helm on the aft bulkhead of the cockpit lower section. There are no loose wires in the cockpit, and it is a very neat installation. I did notice that when single handling, it always passes through my mind "DON'T FALL OFF THE BOAT, DON'T FALL OFF THE BOAT", because if you do, the boat will happily sail away from you and you can wave goodbye as you also contemplate how you are going to die!
One thing, call Raytheon technical service and tell them the displacement of your vessel. Then ask them if the ST4000+ is designed for that displacement. They don't recommend installing it on too heavy a boat.
I have also interfaced the 4000+ with my handheld Garmin GPS45XL through a data cable. Haven't gotten the autohelm to recognize it yet, but it will just take time and some more reading.
Yes, I would recommend the AutoHelm ST4000+. I bought mine at Defender Industries in Waterford, CT. I think they are probably the cheapest.
Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei CD-30
I installed a ST4000+ on Hanalei (CD-30) about a month and a half ago. The installation and calibration/setup directions are clear, but you do have to think about it a little. One critical element is the placement of the fluxgate compass. Currently, I have it under the starboard seatee, aft end, towards the icebox bulkhead. It still shows too much deviation at that location, but not above spec.
If you do install one, one thing you will have to do is to drill a hole in the helm guard for the power cord for the drive motor. Determine the position for the hole, remove the guard and take it home to drill it on the drill press. Then, make sure you grommet the hole when installing the wire. I've seen a number of shipyard installations where this wasn't done, one simply wrapped the wire with electrical tape which looked like hell and will eventually wear through. Also, when you drill the hole through the center of the guard foot(at the deck) you may drill right into the main support beam for the wheel sheeves(I did on Hanalei). Not too worry! If the drill is long enough, you can go right through it(I think it was 2" square tubing) and follow it with a piece of string on a nail and use the string to pull the power wire through to the area under the helm. The above were really the only points that gave me any qualms during installation. Calibration and setup just take time and good reading comprehension.
I really like the unit. To engage it, all you do is steer on the magnetic course you want, flip the clutch lever, place the control panel in AUTO, and you're off. I placed the control head directly behind the helm on the aft bulkhead of the cockpit lower section. There are no loose wires in the cockpit, and it is a very neat installation. I did notice that when single handling, it always passes through my mind "DON'T FALL OFF THE BOAT, DON'T FALL OFF THE BOAT", because if you do, the boat will happily sail away from you and you can wave goodbye as you also contemplate how you are going to die!
One thing, call Raytheon technical service and tell them the displacement of your vessel. Then ask them if the ST4000+ is designed for that displacement. They don't recommend installing it on too heavy a boat.
I have also interfaced the 4000+ with my handheld Garmin GPS45XL through a data cable. Haven't gotten the autohelm to recognize it yet, but it will just take time and some more reading.
Yes, I would recommend the AutoHelm ST4000+. I bought mine at Defender Industries in Waterford, CT. I think they are probably the cheapest.
Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei CD-30
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Michael Stephano
Re: ST4000+...just installed.
>I have also interfaced the 4000+ with my handheld Garmin GPS45XL >through a data cable. Haven't gotten the autohelm to recognize it >yet, but it will just take time and some more reading.
Just a thought. When I interfaced my 45 with my autohelm 3000 I used a common ground with the GPS and it did not recognize the gps till the gps ground was run directly to an electrical ground(not a bunch of grounds shared by other stuff). It's been a while but I believe that was the cure.
mundo@visi.net
Just a thought. When I interfaced my 45 with my autohelm 3000 I used a common ground with the GPS and it did not recognize the gps till the gps ground was run directly to an electrical ground(not a bunch of grounds shared by other stuff). It's been a while but I believe that was the cure.
mundo@visi.net