Autopilot suggestions

[Wade]

I'm looking to add an autopilot but outside of flailing around on the internet do not know where to start. Any suggestions for a 31 ft, 10,000 lbs, and wheel steered ancient sailboat?  Thanks, Wade

[s/v Faith]

First you will need to decide on a wheel drive or a below deck system.

A below deck system is cleaner, more powerful and generally more reliable....  It uses a linear actuator attached to the quadrant to make course corrections.  There are 3 parts, the actuator, the control head and the computer (which has a flux gate compass and has to be mounted away from any magnetic objects).

But more expensive and slightly harder to install.  If you choose this route you will need a "type 1" system.  Manufacturers vary in their recommendations, but generally anything less then 18000# is ok for a type 1.

Wheel drive units use a motor to turn the wheel using a small gear or belt attached to the back of the wheel.

They are generally less powerful, but I believe your boat fits in their range.

They are easier to install since the parts are often in one enclosure, and they are less expensive.

[s/v Faith]

Couple examples;

Raymarine SPX-5 wheel drive system is about $1,700 at West

Raymarine SPX-10 computer, actuator, and head (also need a rudder position sensor) comes out at about twice the cost.


A friend just installed a wheel drive system the was made in Florida.  I will try to find the info on it, but it was simple and looked pretty well thought out...  It is a big purchase, worthy of some research.

If you find used systems, post here.  Many of us have experience with them and someone may have some useful info for you.

Good luck

[s/v Faith]

The other system I was thinking of is the "CPT".  They are not much cheaper then the Raymarine system any more, but worth a look.

http://www.cptautopilot.com

Take a look at the page titled "features" it gives a good description of the system and how it works.

Here is the history;

History of the CPT Autopilot
The first CPTs were manufactured in 1969 by Orinda Controls, and utilized a metal bead chain to turn the boat?s wheel. In the early 1980?s they were improved with a belt drive and manufactured in Florida as ?The Autopilot?. A later model was called ?The Autopilot II?, and offered wind-vane and anchor alarm accessories. Many of these CPTs are still in active service on power and sail boats. In the late 1990?s Scanmar manufactured the CPT until 2003. CPT Autopilot Inc began producing the autopilot in 2008.