Speakng of Simrad
 

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

MST

Speakng of Simrad
 

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

The main complaint I hear about Simrad is is that Scotty can't afford the
handhelds.


RB

Speakng of Simrad
 

I have a Simrad WP30 auto on my boat. What do you want to know?

Yeah...and he's REAL familiar with it! WP30? Bwahahahaha!

RB

Speakng of Simrad
 

I have a Simrad WP30 auto on my boat. What do you want to know?

Scotty

"Schoonertrash" wrote in message
...
Does anyone have experience with thieir wheelpilot auto steering? Or in
the
old Navico version? 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.

MST

Speakng of Simrad
 

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

Speakng of Simrad
 

Are you happy with it and if so why and if not why?

MST

Speakng of Simrad
 

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

Speakng of Simrad
 

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

Speakng of Simrad
 

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

Speakng of Simrad
 

"Schoonertrash" wrote in message
...
Are you happy with it and if so why and if not why?


I have a Navico TP300. I'm very happy with it because it has never let me
down.

I know people who have Autohelm units, and they seem to be much less
reliable. I get the feeling that the Autohelm units are not as waterproof
as they should be.



Regards


Donal
--

Speakng of Simrad
 

"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
--

Speakng of Simrad
 

My Bullsh*t detector just went off.

Your wife must've walked in!

RB

Speakng of Simrad
 

"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
--

Speakng of Simrad
 

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

How would she know? Her head was down the whole time!

Bwahahahahaha! Set up another round, Dopey Donal!

RB

Speakng of Simrad
 

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

Speakng of Simrad
 

IMHO the belt drive wheel pilots are good only for motoring in calm
conditions.

BTW the Navico I have is totally self contained therefore does not use one of
those long exposed belts. I can imagine they might have difficulity with belt
stretch etc.
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
Trains are a winter sport

Speakng of Simrad
 

I have a WP30. Very robust unit, works as advertised, and more. I am very
happy with and have used my experience as an excuse to purchase more Simrad
equipment. Simple operation, simple installation and unlike the earlier
Raymarine(the mechanism that locks the internal belt breaks, I don't know
about the new design) I have found no weak points.
"Schoonertrash" wrote in message
...
Does anyone have experience with thieir wheelpilot auto steering? Or in
the
old Navico version? 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.

MST

Speakng of Simrad
 

Try a WP30, works well in all conditions. I have many thousands of miles on
my 4 year old unit.The only point of sail it has difficulty is on a run with
large swell and light wind. Otherwise excellent helmsman.
"DSK" wrote in message
...
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

Speakng of Simrad
 

Works OK, so far. Can't 'keep up' going downwind with following waves. Real
easy to install.

Scotty

"Schoonertrash" wrote in message
...
Are you happy with it and if so why and if not why?

MST

Speakng of Simrad
 

"DSK" wrote

IMHO the belt drive wheel pilots are good only for motoring in calm
conditions.

in other words ''bobspit sailing''.

Speakng of Simrad
 

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?

Speakng of Simrad
 

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
She read your post, and said "Look, Bobsprit sailed to the Thimbles."

How would she know? Her head was down the whole time!

Was Dr Arm one of your sock-puppets?

Regards


Donal
--

Speakng of Simrad
 

How would she know? Her head was down the whole time!

Was Dr Arm one of your sock-puppets?

Donal, I'm not weak like Neal or others here. I have never posted pretending to
be someone else. Always signed RB. Can't control people who do otherwise.
Take it easy.

RB

Speakng of Simrad
 

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


Remember when Dickless Scotty posted he could just lock off his wheel and have
a sandwich?? Now he's Mister Autopilot!

Bwahahaahaha! Busted AGAIN!

RB

Speakng of Simrad
 

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

Speakng of Simrad
 

SAIL LOCO wrote:


Well funny you should say that. Mine gets used mainly if I have to motor a
long way

And that's an excellent time to have an autopilot. My comment was not intended
to be a slam, just what the functionality of these units is. A lot of folks have
added them 2nd hand for ICW cruising and they are great.


...... 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. :-)

From what I've seen, lots of these type units have a hard time with wakes,
gusts, unbalanced rigs (for example, the winds shifts and you pull in or ease in
the genoa first instead of main & genoa at same time). Nothings perfect.


The Carrolls wrote:

Try a WP30, works well in all conditions. I have many thousands of miles on
my 4 year old unit.The only point of sail it has difficulty is on a run with
large swell and light wind.

I have difficulty with that myself.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

Speakng of Simrad
 

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

I can do all that stuff with just the wheel lock. Well, except for making hot
dogs. I don't cook while singlehandeling. I eat crackers.
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
Trains are a winter sport

Speakng of Simrad
 

And that's an excellent time to have an autopilot. My comment was not
intended
to be a slam

I know that. I know you respect me. I respect you.
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
Trains are a winter sport

Speakng of Simrad
 

I know that. I know you respect me. I respect you.

How desperate and needy.


RB