Has anyone installed an autopilot on a Swordsman? The refurbishment of Doctor Syn is progressing well and I am wondering whether to install the Raymarine autopilot in conjunction with the new series C chartplotter.
I know that the new Swordsmen with hydraulic steering are having them installed but wondered whether there would be problems with the Whitlock steering.
I am based in Falmouth where there seem to be a zillion lobster pots but apart from this and the odd submerged container are there any other downsides?
I should be glad to hear from anyone with some direct experience.
Harold Bailey
autopilots
-
laybie
- Able Seaman
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Thu Jan 20, 2005 10:03 pm
- Location: United Kingdom
-
Scott Pett
- Vice Admiral
- Posts: 806
- Joined: Mon Mar 29, 2004 9:49 am
- Location: UK South Coast
- Contact:
The built-in Raymarine autopilots can be configured with a variety of drive units and can be used with motor drives to control whitlock steering systems. In fact they can sometimes use the existing motor drive connected to the drive amplifier.
The only difference is that a clutch is needed with a motor drive which isn't required in the hydraulic system. The clutch can be either manually operated, or electronically via a solenoid, which only engages the drive when required, usually automaticaly when the A/P is engaged from the control panel.
Any chartplotter/GPS which can send out the necessary SeaTalk; NMEA or whatever sentences to the Autopilot should be able to control it.
The good thing about rod steering is that the steering wheel moves as the autopilot controls it. With Hydraulic, the wheel just sits there and you don't know whether the autpilot is engaged or not.
I noticed that the Huntsman 31 "Sartra" which was featured in one of the motor-yot magazines last year has/had a Raymarine Sport-pilot fitted. The H31 must be right at the top of the weight limit for that unit, so it would be interesting to know how well it copes.
The only difference is that a clutch is needed with a motor drive which isn't required in the hydraulic system. The clutch can be either manually operated, or electronically via a solenoid, which only engages the drive when required, usually automaticaly when the A/P is engaged from the control panel.
Any chartplotter/GPS which can send out the necessary SeaTalk; NMEA or whatever sentences to the Autopilot should be able to control it.
The good thing about rod steering is that the steering wheel moves as the autopilot controls it. With Hydraulic, the wheel just sits there and you don't know whether the autpilot is engaged or not.
I noticed that the Huntsman 31 "Sartra" which was featured in one of the motor-yot magazines last year has/had a Raymarine Sport-pilot fitted. The H31 must be right at the top of the weight limit for that unit, so it would be interesting to know how well it copes.