I know they rate these autopilots by weight, as they have to have something to scale them by, but I think what is more important is how well balanced your rudder is. For instance, if you had a 20 foot catboat with an unbalanced barn door hanging out the back, you could burn up one of those autopilots in a day!
My boat is actually around 21000# in the slings, but the rudder is so well balanced you can steer with your fingertips. Or not at all. My ST 4000+ works beautifully 10 years later. Bill Coleman C&C 39 Erie, PA From: CnC-List [mailto:cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com] On Behalf Of Danny Haughey via CnC-List Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2016 8:44 AM To: cnc-list@cnc-list.com Cc: Danny Haughey Subject: Re: Stus-List Autopilot purchase and solar panel install OMG! I need an Autopilot but I think my boat is too heavy for a wheel pilot. However, at that cost it might work as way to let go of the helm for short periods of time! I was going to wait and do a below decks autopilot but this could buy me some time maybe. Any thoughts? its a 40 footer with 17,250 lbs of displacement. I would imagine that would be a bit higher with our stuff on board. Danny On 4/20/2016 8:29 AM, Frederick G Street via CnC-List wrote: Gee, Richard; I'm speechless. :^) Thanks! Mark - Defender's current public price on the EV-100 wheel pilot system is LESS than my dealer's cost right now. I'm hoping that means that Raymarine is coming out with a newer (more powerful?) version, but don't hold your breath. They're pretty tight-lipped about upcoming products. If anyone on the list is looking for a wheel pilot, now's the time to get one - $1159.99 plus a $300.00 rebate. - Fred Fred Street -- Minneapolis S/V Oceanis (1979 C&C Landfall 38) -- on the hard in Bayfield, WI :^( On Apr 20, 2016, at 6:59 AM, Richard N. Bush via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote: I can't for Fred, but I can speak for myself....I researched autopilot units until I was blue in the face and initially decided to go with Fed because he was on this list....however, once I received all the parts and began assembly, I came to rely upon Fred's advice an helpful suggestions to the point where I don't think I could have done it without him...he took the time to listen to my questions (posed in a not-so-clear fashion I'm sure)...and offered suggestions; he was insightful about my particular boat because he has one (I have a 37, Fred has a 38)...and he was able to discern when there was a real problem from when I just wasn't understanding the written directions....; so, if price is the only object, then shop on...but if you want the unit to work, call Fred.... Richard 1985 C&C 37; CB Ohio River, Mile 596; Richard N. Bush Law Offices 2950 Breckenridge Lane, Suite Nine Louisville, Kentucky 40220-1462 502-584-7255 -----Original Message----- From: Mark Bodnar via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> To: cnc-list <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> Cc: Mark Bodnar <drbod...@accesswave.ca> Sent: Wed, Apr 20, 2016 7:18 am Subject: Re: Stus-List Autopilot purchase and solar panel install I'll checked Hodges Marine just now - they are a little more than Defender. As for Fred - he can jump in if I'm wrong but I've seen a few of his messages where he said he couldn't beat the sales prices on similar items. Mark ---------------------- Mark Bodnar CS30 - Prosecco _______________________________________________ This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you like what we do, please help us pay for our costs by donating. All Contributions are greatly appreciated!
_______________________________________________ This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you like what we do, please help us pay for our costs by donating. All Contributions are greatly appreciated!
