Any experience with wheel mounted autopilots? Too light? What about below deck models? Any input appreciated.
Thanks,
Rich
[Posted by: rich nicholls
]
Looking for autopilot recommendations
Moderator: forumadmin
Rich,
I went with the Simrad AP-25 with a hydraulic linear drive mounted down below. Needed to do a little glasswork to properly accommodate the drive unit. The control unit networks with my Norstar 6000i GPS/chartplotter unit and Micronet wireless instruments via NMEA. The interface is very user friendly, I have nothing but good things to say about the Simrad product.
I know that they make a wheel mounted autopilot as well, the WP32. It can be used on boats up to 39' or 18,700 pounds, so the J109 would be comfortably below this limit. I called out to Simrad in Washington State at 425-778-8821 and they were very helpful in helping me spec out the system. Their web site is www.simradusa.com .
Good luck!
Z
I went with the Simrad AP-25 with a hydraulic linear drive mounted down below. Needed to do a little glasswork to properly accommodate the drive unit. The control unit networks with my Norstar 6000i GPS/chartplotter unit and Micronet wireless instruments via NMEA. The interface is very user friendly, I have nothing but good things to say about the Simrad product.
I know that they make a wheel mounted autopilot as well, the WP32. It can be used on boats up to 39' or 18,700 pounds, so the J109 would be comfortably below this limit. I called out to Simrad in Washington State at 425-778-8821 and they were very helpful in helping me spec out the system. Their web site is www.simradusa.com .
Good luck!
Z
-
Guest
-
Frank Albert
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Wed Oct 23, 2013 8:25 pm
Re: Looking for autopilot recommendations
The J 109 I purchased in the spring of 2013 (RESOLUTE) already had a Ray marine hydraulic autopilot installed below decks. It hooks directly to the rudder post so in the event of a failure of the wheel and chain I can still steer the boat with the auto pilot. Steering with the emergency tiller is a nightmare of epic proportions.