Raymarine Autopilots

[DLT]

With one of these clear domes it would be a piece of cake to set up an inside steering station with dual controls and great vis.

http://www.cleardomes.com/domes.htm

http://www.cleardomes.com/cdroundbs.jpg

I've contemplated putting one of these in the middle of my companionway sliding hatch (though I realize it wouldn't be readily compatible with the dodger .... without modifying the dodger somewhat) , perhaps in the middle of an opening square acrylic marine hatch.

Wow, that's an interesting idea. I wonder how well they would work in the forward windows of the M? I'm thinking a tinted dome with a squared flange to just replace the window on the port side (as I have a vent in the window on the starboard side). You could sit up there, with your head in the dome and see all around the boat, except aft, and steer with a wireless AP...

[blanton]

Yep, you got it! I think it would be cool. George Jetson style.

I like the idea of making a custom mesh hanging sling seat reminiscent of Francis Chichester's gimballed chair on Gypsy Moth with the keg tap built into the armrest.

[James V]

A Doger may be cheeper and better and easier to store.

[Frank C]

Yep, you got it! I think it would be cool. George Jetson style.

I like the idea of making a custom mesh hanging sling seat reminiscent of Francis Chichester's gimballed chair on Gypsy Moth with the keg tap built into the armrest.

Wireless remote for steering, but how ya gonna control that throttle?

[deacm]

Actually, Raymarine was wrong about their response to the 'auto tack' feature (one of my favorites when I'm singlehanding). I have an Autohelm 4000 on my boat with the wireless remote. When I want to tack, I just go to the front of the cockpit andprepare to throw the sheet off the winch and with the Raymarine wireless remote I have I just select the 'autotack' menu and select which way I want to turn and VOILA! it tacks through the number of degrees I have pre-set it to do. Work great. Plus with the wireless remote I can steer on a nice day with no boat traffic with my legs hanging over the bow of the boat !! . You CAN set the autopilot to tack through and to a certain 'wind angle' and yes, for that you do need their wind instruments etc etc, but for the auto tack feature you don't need it .........nor do I have 'wind instrutments"

[DLT]

Wireless remote for steering, but how ya gonna control that throttle?

Well, there is no throttle when you are sailing. You won't be able to spill the main, but you can make minor trim adjustments by steering.

Also, if you are looking out the window, you may be able to steer around trouble, or just run back to the helm as needed.

It would be a relatively simple thing to rig an engine kill switch.

It would be a little more involved to rig a second throttle, but still doable. Heck people have done full second stations on the boat. All you'd need is a long push-pull cable... With a simple push-pull, you wouldn't be able to go to reverse, or get out of neutral, but you'd be able to slow down or speed up...

[Scott]

Wireless remote for steering, but how ya gonna control that throttle?

There is a 7 or 9 pin connector on the backside of my throttle controls inside the binnacle. I always assumed these were for remote/ autopilot connectivity??

Does anyone know.

[Frank C]

I have nothing against the wireless remote. In fact, I expect I'll get one someday to help manage my ST5000 (after the novelty wears off, maybe places like Defender will begin to offer 15% off). And yeah, there have been a few days when I could simply sit back and let my 26X sail by herself, fully balanced. But just due to the nature of winds here, I'd very rarely find myself steering from the bow, under sail.

It just seemed easy to permit the "vision of piloting" from the beneath turrets, in comfort of the cabin, blast-off beyond practical reality. Yeah, I agree it would be nice to have a second control station, under the dodger or in the cabin. But for my typical usage, it's way-far down the mods list.

[DLT]

I agree that a full second station would be way down the mods list. But, that bubble window may not be so far down... It might offset the solar vent I have inthe other window...

Actually, the more I think about it, I wonder about replacing both forward windows, both the one with and the one without the vent. Might use slightly different depth domes, such that they appear similar, kinda link winking eyeballs...

[Terry]

Yeah, I agree it would be nice to have a second control station, under the dodger or in the cabin.

Gee Frank, I think you have an idea there. On my 26M I have the autohelm control box mounted on the port bulkhead beside the companionway. Now when I get my dodger I can simply sit on the traveler, feet on the ladder,(with the blocks to one side of course) under cover of the dodger, operate the control box on my left and man the sails from one position. I could likely reach behind me for the throttle but it might be somewhat awkward. Something to think about .
On edit - I forgot to mention this is without the remote.

[Scott]

But just due to the nature of winds here, I'd very rarely find myself steering from the bow, under sail.

While I have done that, merely to be able to say I have. I have used my auto pilot primarily for course holding while trimming sails or stepping below to fetch fenders.

I have also used it to steer from below when caught out in a blow (under motor)

Once in a while when the wind is consistant I set it, balance the sails and let the boat do the driving. Downside to this is the one time I did it single handing I stretched out and caught myself nodding off.

[Chip Hindes]

But just due to the nature of winds here, I'd very rarely find myself steering from the bow, under sail.

While I have done that, merely to be able to say I have.

Raymarine ST4000, no remote is steering Nextboat in this photo. We're doing about 5 knots on a broad reach; winds were consistent and light enough that no steering adjustment was necessary. We were admiring the literally hundreds of jellyfish on the Neuse River; the sun angle was such that they couldn't be seen form the cockpit. We remained in this configuration for about 15 minutes before the mate tired and returned to the cockpit. However, she did not steer. The autopilot remained in control for about 40 minutes; Eventually we ran out of river and had to turn.

[Frank C]

I recognize the anchor - but which dodger is it?

[blanton]

I'd like to find a 22" six spoke wheel if anyone has any tips ...

[James V]

The problem that I found with the 22" wheel is that it has a straight shaft. The stock wheel is tapered. There is a sleeve that you can get. Please read the other threads on this before you buy.

I put on an 18" wheel for my RayMarine S1 wheel pilot and have no problems with it.