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Every upgrade, every fix, every change is a major research project which includes sifting through countless thousands of know it alls whose opinions all seem to be different. When I add all the differing options and manufacturer claims my searches often come down to a total crap shoot. Quite often I find myself, after endless research, just taking a leap on what looks the best with the expectation that if this doesn't work, I'll change it until I find something that does.
That said, I'm all the way through basics like electrical and plumbing, rigging and electronics and I'm up to finding a reliable/bulletproof autopilot that will get "Grace" through anything we run into. The boat came with an ancient autopilot that will serve well as a dingy anchor. It did leave a sprocket on the base of the steering pedestal, installed with a keyway, which seems to me a viable way to go from here. I"m not interested in hydraulics just now and I'd like to stay away from linear if I could because the engine room is getting crowded.
So please, someone tell me what autopilot they've installed that works and, hopefully, works with the existing chain drive I currently have and what did you bolt it to?
We're in South Florida where everyone has been holding their breath for a chance to jump across to Cuba. Unless you live under a rock, you'll have seen the countless stories of people and armadas who have already made the jump and we're hoping to be part of the spring flotilla which means I better test out all the systems, get those handrails put back on and figure out the autopilot.
Help!
Thanks!
Rick
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Totally know what you mean regarding research. Can be a pain sometimes to get the right answers. I actually like that part of owning these old boats, most of the time.
Do you have a 32, 38 or 45? If you have a 38, a linear drive fits very well in the lazarette, no need to crowd the engine room. 32, or 45, no idea.
My linear drive fits easily in the lazarette and is bolted to the decking there, with a simple backing plate for a bit of added strength. It's the Type II linear drive from Raymarine. It's fairly strong but I've still tripped the breaker on it in a moderate following sea. For the most part I try to baby the AP, both to make it last longer and to save amps. Balancing sails goes a long way toward that end. Frequently I'll give up 1/2 knot or so of speed just to have a more balanced sail plan.
I think Raymarine sells (or did sell in the past) a chain driven AP that might fit the sprocket you have. I don't know if it's as strong as a linear drive. Regardless, I don't think there is an autopilot made that can handle everything. At least not until you spend $5k and up and a pro-level hydraulic drive. Any reasonably priced electric drive will have it's limits, especially in good sized (not even 'big') quartering and following seas.
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Argyle:
Thanks for the reply. I'll have to approach it that way first. I love the size and usefullness of the lazarette but I'm sure I can build something bullet proof around a linear drive that would still allow me to pig pile all my detritus in there.
I've asked Mack Sails who are not far from me and who have done a pretty good job of the rigging and my one new sail; the staysail.
I've done the learning curve on everything else but the autopilot seems to have more moving parts then I can absorb quickly, particularly since I still have to get all my interior finishes done.
I don't want to admit it to my wife who thinks the boat is absolute folly, but I also like the inventiveness and creativity that go into each prototype piece of the puzzle. That and if/when something does go bad, I'll know where it is and how to replace it and where to source the parts and how long it will take and how much it will cost. I can't call myself a boat builder because I actually started with a hull and two sticks (after stripping everything off and throwing it away) but something close. Boat resurrector, boat salvager, boat rescuer?
I tell people I'm building a 10 year boat. That's how long I'm going to have to sail her to make this worth it. And I'm guessing that's about the time I won't be able to make a fist anymore but I'm not counting myself out yet. Maybe that's when the project will be finished....
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OK, here's the update on my autopilot: I got pricing to put a linear in the lazarette but I just couldn't part with the unobstructed space in that huge locker so I went back to the sprocket that is ever so conveniently attached at the bottom of the pedastal. All the literature for sprocket drives made in the US looked pretty insubstantial and I was losing hope until I came across a recommendation from a solo circumnavigator who said he only used Jefa chain Drive units. I looked into them and eventually bought and installed one right next to the pedestal and it looks and feels very solid, well made and the tech data says it's up for anything.
I'm still looking for an electronics guy to install the fluxgate compass and the controller and making the whole thing work but I'm pretty happy so far. I'll let you know how it works in a month or three.
We entered our first outside race (into the gulfstream and charge for home...) but the wind was light and right on the nose. Everyone else was charging off for the horizon but I called the race committee on the beach, told them this was not our conditions and proceeded to put out the fishing poles, start the engine and motorsail with the fleet who were all working very hard at maximizing the puffs. We did have one spike where the wind picked up, we had everything up and hit 9.5 without surfing or the engine. The rest of the day was very pleasant but Grace is not a race horse.
Rick
SV Saving Grace
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