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Has anybody successfully mounted an Autohelm 2000 in a CD-27? As I'm trying to measure things in the cockpit, it seems the only possible mount would be a vertical holder/extension from the stbd.cockpit coaming. Otherwise stbd locker is interfered with, and the Autohelm is too long to mount below the locker hatch.
Wonder if anyone has dealt with this problem! I may have to make up a removable teak/metal structure that clamps onto the coaming in order to hold the pin, looks like it will have to extend about 6" in towards the tiller in order to get the right distance to where the tiller pin should go in.
Would appreciate any thoughts from anyone who's "been there, done that"
Thanks
Yves
CD27 Alphee
Hi Yves,
Yes, I have an A/H 2000 on Rhiannon. It's a simple installation. A/H makes extenders in 2" increments. I use the 4 " extender. The outboard end of the unit mounts in a brnz bushing. I drilled out one of the screw holes on the after cockpit hinge for a press fit with this bushing. Made a putty with West System and filler to secure the underside of the bushing. No wear and no busted fiberglass (there's quite a bit of pressure on this point) Fitted a Dri-Plug for the power and signal leads. A/H is level and side-to-side motion is relatively centered with the extender in place. The tiller attachment is just about exactly where the A/H folks say it should be. Everything works nicely (and has for years), looks good, but there is one area where you must be careful. The business end is a recirculating ball system and the slightest bend will render it inoperative. It is an easy thing to sit or step upon so be careful. I never have done this but have replaced a few where this has happened. I'm thinking about some sort of protective board over the A/H when it is deployed but it's a low priority. This unit makes single-handing a snap, even with the cruising chute.
Hope this helps,
Andy Denmark
CD-27 #270 "Rhiannon"
Oriental, NC (the soft underbelly of the graveyard of the Atlantic)
I have an Autohelm 2000+ on Second Chance. The boat came to me with the bronze socket already mounted in the starboard cockpit seat/locker cover from an old Autohelm. When I upgraded to the 2000+ I called A/H and they said to just use the same socket, the measurements were ok. A wooden backing plate was glued to the underside to receive the portion of the socket that sticks below the bottom of the seat cover. No extensions, everything works fine. I can't see how a system that attaches to the coaming would nevertheless still allow the locker to be opened when in use. Wouldn't it still block the locker from opening? Also, I'm not sure from Andy's post whether he can open the locker when in use either. I do like his idea of pressing it into the hinge, but I can also attest that if you add a wooden backing block it works fine to just put the socket in the seat. Just get everything you need out of the locker first!!
Bill Goldsmith
CD27 #173
Second Chance
yves feder W1UX wrote: Has anybody successfully mounted an Autohelm 2000 in a CD-27? As I'm trying to measure things in the cockpit, it seems the only possible mount would be a vertical holder/extension from the stbd.cockpit coaming. Otherwise stbd locker is interfered with, and the Autohelm is too long to mount below the locker hatch.
Wonder if anyone has dealt with this problem! I may have to make up a removable teak/metal structure that clamps onto the coaming in order to hold the pin, looks like it will have to extend about 6" in towards the tiller in order to get the right distance to where the tiller pin should go in.
Would appreciate any thoughts from anyone who's "been there, done that"
Thanks
Yves
CD27 Alphee
Yes, the locker is unusable with the A/H operating. That's the biggest reason I mounted the unit on the stbd side as the batteries take up so much of the usable space there. On Rhiannon that's where the cleaning stuff and stores live, mostly things I won't use while underway. A little planning helps if you foresee using something in that locker so you can get it out before hooking up "Otto".
Andy Denmark
CD-27 "Rhiannon"
Oriental, NC -- land of the liquid sky (today, anyway)
