Schoonertrash wrote:

Does anyone have experience with thieir wheelpilot auto steering? Or in the
old Navico version?

Yep. The tugboat had a Navico hydraulic unit.

..... I think I have a buyer for the wheel steering
conversion on Se Lange but they want to add in the above system so I said
I'd ask. I'm going back to tiller.

Can't say much about the unit we had, the installation had been botched and I
strongly doubt it ever worked. It certainly did not work when we got the boat
and after much tinkering (amounting to a re-installation of everything except
the hydraulic end) I took it out and threw it away. I suspect the electronics
were fried when the unit was first powered up by the DPO.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

I have a new Navico wheelpilot that I bought just before the company got sold.
Very easy install and have had no problems.
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
Trains are a winter sport

SAIL LOCO wrote:

I have a new Navico wheelpilot that I bought just before the company got sold.
Very easy install and have had no problems.

IMHO the belt drive wheel pilots are good only for motoring in calm conditions.
I've seen dozens of them that can't hold a course on a nice sailing day, much less
rough conditions. Under deck systems are a whole order of magnitude more complex
to install and are more expensive, but for cruising, they are worth it.

Our unit was a fancy digital controlled hydraulic pump with all the bells &
whistles. I suspect it never worked (installed by DPO in early 1990s). The
feedback unit had been hammered and the wiring looked like it had installed by
raccoons with ADD.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

IMHO the belt drive wheel pilots are good only for motoring in calm conditions.
I've seen dozens of them that can't hold a course on a nice sailing day, much
less
rough conditions.

We've had no problems with ours, a model 3000 with belt. Coming back from the
Thimble Islands we were close reaching in 15-20 knots through some good chop
and it held course without a problem for as long as we liked. Adjusting the
rudder offset a single notch when off the wind is sometimes needed, but it's
been reliable and useful. My friend's Vindo has the same unit and they are
quite common around here. Never heard a complaint.

RB

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
IMHO the belt drive wheel pilots are good only for motoring in calm
conditions.
I've seen dozens of them that can't hold a course on a nice sailing day,
much
less
rough conditions.

We've had no problems with ours, a model 3000 with belt. Coming back from
the
Thimble Islands

Damn! My Bullsh*t detector just went off.



Regards


Donal
--

My Bullsh*t detector just went off.

Your wife must've walked in!

RB

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
My Bullsh*t detector just went off.

Your wife must've walked in!

Yeah! She read your post, and said "Look, Bobsprit sailed to the Thimbles."




Regards


Donal
--

IMHO the belt drive wheel pilots are good only for motoring in calm conditions.
I've seen dozens of them that can't hold a course on a nice sailing day, much
less
rough conditions.


Bobsprit wrote:
We've had no problems with ours

I rest my case.

DSK

IMHO the belt drive wheel pilots are good only for motoring in calm
conditions.
I've seen dozens of them that can't hold a course on a nice sailing day, much
less
rough conditions.

Well funny you should say that. Mine gets used mainly if I have to motor a
long way say from Balto ot Rock Hall back to my creek when there's no wind. If
it's a "nice sailing day" why would I want to use the autopilot? Although I
have tried it sailing and it works just fine. As far as rough conditions go I
wouldn't be out in those. :-)
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
Trains are a winter sport

go potty, grab a drink, make a hot dog, check charts, change clothes, grab
another drink, turn the radio up..............................

"SAIL LOCO" wrote ...
If
it's a "nice sailing day" why would I want to use the autopilot?