Raymarine Autopilots

[Frank C]

I'm bummed! Found an Autohelm ST5000+ at WM's Oakland Bargain Store, an open box for $999. The compelling benefit I see in using this pilot is that it attaches directly to the steering linkage. In fact, it could be simply clamped directly onto the steering push-pull bar, right on the aft deck. After a bonehead run of the preconfigured cables, it would act directly in lieu of the steering cable.

While plotting my installation tactics, I wrote the following questions to Raymarine's Cust Support guys and just got their final answers - all this relates to the steering linkage for my 26X.

• Sent to Raymarine:
  I purchased (from West Marine) a refurbished Autohelm ST5000+, linear drive. It is well-beyond necessary power for my Macgregor 26-foot sailboat (and so, it can easily do the job). My boat's twin rudders, plus an outboard, are connected with stainless tubing and push-pulled by a cable-driven steering wheel. Your horseshoe-style girdle bracket (from your Volvo KAD32 kit) could easily be attached to my cable actuator, but with these several installation questions:
  
  1. can the girdle bracket (and drive unit) be installed on it's side rather than upright? (This provides the best fit, and would also permit the girdle's tilting ability to track with the steering linkage's travel.)
  Answer: ==> You are sailing in un chartered waters. I have never seen a Linear drive installed on this boat so I can not advise you. It's going to all be trial and error.
  
  2. can the drive unit be installed on my open aft-deck, subject to rain and occasional waves.
  ==> The Linear drive is not water proof and can not be exposed to rain water, sea water, or wash down.
  
  3. My steering linkage moves 7 inches from lock to lock, can the drive be adjusted to remain within that range limit?
  ==> This pilot does have Electronic rudder stops. You set these up in calibration.
  
  4. The owner guide speaks to an "auto-tack" feature, but it's not ever described (not in Chapter 2, or elsewhere)?
  ==> The tack feature requires wind information from one of our wind systems to work.
  
  5. Could this unit also be controlled by any of your wired remotes, or the new wirelss remote?
  ==> This pilot will work with any of our ST remotes or both of the new wireless remotes.
  
  ------------------
  Thanks for very quick feedback. One last question. Are any of your other Tiller Pilots, (ST2000 or ST4000) waterproof or capable of exposure to weather, waves or washing? If YES, are they capable of electronic stops?
  ==> Both are water resistant, but neither have the ability of electronic rudder stops.

Fortunately, the Bargain Store offers a 90-day warranty, so I'll be able to swap this for some alternative - probably a new S1 wheelpilot. Unfortunately, it means I lose the redundant backup to our wheel steering system.

The good news is for 26M'ers ... because your steering linkage is all below deck, you could add the steering redundancy benefits of this heavy-duty sailpilot for just a bit more than a BoatBuck. Last I looked there were a half-dozen of them at the Oakland Bargain Store.

[DLT]

I have a ST2000 tiller pilot, that I've been meaning to figure out how to mount on my M. I can't mount it inside the boat, since there is too much resistance when its powered off. I don't want to be fighting that all the time, it would murder the stock steering system...

My preliminary thinking is to fab and mount a bracket near the rear wall of the starboard fuel locker. Then, mount a pin on the stock steering linkage. So, when mounted, the tiller pilot would go from the starboard fuel locker to the steering linkage...

I would remove it when I didn't want AP. But, it would be a backup to the stock steering cable...

I'm not sure if this is gonna work out. But, its what I'm currently thinking. It sure does sound like too much work...

I like the idea of a system mounted down below... Is there any resistance, when it is powered down?

[DLT]

I think I answered my own question... No, Scott I'm not trying to pad my post total, I've already reached the pinnacle...

ST5000+ Sail Pilot system with linear drive. For sailing vessels up to 20,000lbs (9,000kg).

Product Number:A12015

ST5000 Plus is the perfect autopilot package for offshore sailing yachts. The free running mechanical linear drive unit mounts below decks, providing responsive steering in auto, and friction-free movement in standby. The computer is integrated within the control unit, allowing easier installation.

ST5000 Plus is simple to use and a versatile addition to your navigation system. SeaTalk and NMEA interface links with GPS and wind instruments, and the large display repeats your choice of up to seven pages of navigation/ instrument data.



Raymarine

[delevi]

Frank,

Sorry to hear the news. Well, at least you'll be getting the most up-to-date computer for the AP. It is supposed to have a substantial improvement in steering correction, etc, according to Raymarine. You might want to get a large steering wheel to go with that S1 wheelpilot.

[delevi]

As for the steering backup, here is one idea:
If your steering fails, disconnect the engine linkage, then attach your boat hook/pole to your outboard with bungees or whatever you have available and then you have tiller steering for your engine. Of course, your sailing day is over, but you'll get home. I'm not sure if I came up with that one or read it earlier on this board. Certainly don't want to take credit for someone else's idea.

Leon

[Scott]

Wow bummer DLT, you ARE an Admiral. I am in fact padding mine by responding to your unsaid accusation!!

[James V]

Frank C - The settings on the S1 is great. You need to find different settings for boards down - power saving mode - and boards up. The S1 also comes with a gyro option - S1G. With the gyro there is an auto learn mode. This would help. The Gyro is also an upgrade.

An 18 inch wheel gives me enough space.

The Wireless remote works well for 24+ hours then you will need to replace the batteries. I put the main display inside (little risk of damage there) and use the remote almost all of the time.

You will need the pedistal mount kit. Try to keep the post as short as possible.

[Frank C]

I'm still studying the problems for the ST5000. I did go back to WM yesterday to see how they'll react to the return, and they said "no problemo." However, the benefits are such that I don't want to give up yet. Their periodic Blow-Out sale starts today, so I'm guessing I could have saved about 200 bucks!

I've found two different approaches to mounting it inside the hull with just its ram extending to the aft deck. Mounting an ST5000 wd.be a slam-dunk on the 26M.

I would do same as James and mount the control head under the sliding hatch. I could then use either wired or wireless remote at the helm. James, that wireless surely must have rechargeable batts ??? If so, I'd mount the recharger inside the side-hatch on my pedestal (pix to come later).

[Night Sailor]

Tahoe Jack posted earlier photos of a nice solution that is a take down fix for broken steering. Search archives.

[James V]

Rechargable batteries - Raymarine does not recommend them. Don't know why. I did play with it a lot. It was fun. The wired remote has been retired although the web site does not say it.

[Catigale]

Im bummed about the trend to wireless remotes...for helming the boat Im a lot more comfortable with something hard wired for reliability.

This is probably coming from my extensive use of bluetooth technology at work - this is a really well thought out, executed technology, but it still drops out one or two times a week with my technology......the thought of that happening to the helm.....eeekksss

[James V]

There is the main display that runs it. If you lose the remote you can use it. Not to bad really. The only real problem is if you get bad messages from the remote. I do not know if this can happen.

The rare chance that you get another unit that is on the same channel from another boat you can change it the channel. You just need to get a few hundred yards away.

[Frank C]

Update on installing the ST5000+ to the 26X aft deck. I've chosen a strategy for mounting the linear drive to push-pull at the cable's linkage pin, with the ram extending from just inside the port bulkhead. That way is is protected from the water & weather, and still offers backup redundancy to the wheel & cable actuator - assuming I always have battery power.

Battery power is necessary to operate, of course, but also to maintain the standby status. Absent the battery, I could just detach the ram from the steering linkage. The control head will be in an instrument panel at the companionway, visible and accessible at the winches while single-handed. Remote control wd be a nicety at the helm, but unnecessary unless I happen to find one on eBay.

WM's special sale (open-box refurbs) runs till the 25th - no returns - buyer's risk - caveat emptor.
I thought they were 30% off, but turns out all electronix are only 20-off - means $800 for a pilot that can handle 12 tons of boat. Can't get it installed until after upcoming visits ... looking fwd to both!

[Catigale]

The rare chance that you get another unit that is on the same channel from another boat you can change it the channel

Yikes!!!

THey dont have these things encrypted??

[DLT]

Oooohhh (imagine evil genius laugh)...

Let's play remote control boat... That could be fun!!!

I could just see someone building a transmitter that would over power the on-board remote, and control someone else's boat...



Actually, I think there is some process by which you mate a remote to its base station.... IIRC, they come "mated" from the factory, but the manual explains how to do it... Now, I don't know what that "mating" entails.

I'm sure, however, that someone with enough time, skill, and motivation, could turn your boat into their own remote controlled toy... I gotta believe, however, that the risk of that actually happening is rather low...