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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Autohelm help needed

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/13/2008 : 20:19:17

I've got a dilemma. I have a Raymarine ST4000+ Autohelm on my wheel steering. I also have a pedestal guard. When I bought the boat the electric connection to the wheel drive was all messed up. I bought a new cable but am puzzled by the situation. There is not enough room between the wheel drive electric connector and the pedestal guard to fit the wire connector.

Here are some photos:

The wheel drive seems to be mounted in the only viable location but how could Raymarine design a system where the pedestal guard prevents the use of the electric connection? I am hoping that I am missing something here and one of you can set me straight. Otherwise I am going to have to mod the connection and I would prefer not to. Thanks!

We cannot direct the winds but we can adjust our sails.

Edited by - on

mhartong
Navigator

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USA
152 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2008 : 06:48:22

I have installed an S-1 (same basic system). It looks like your guard may be mounted further aft than mine. From the pictures it looks like you have a stainless spacer under your compass that connects the compass pedestal to the guard. It appears to be much shorter than what I have on my pedestal, which would move the actual guard position aft (and hence the conflict) My spacer is starboard and actually puts the guard itself further forward. It also appears that your drive motor connector is on the port side. I mounted mine on the starboard side.

Edited by - mhartong on 07/14/2008 15:28:31

johnsonp
Admiral

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USA
606 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2008 : 17:15:59

Randy
If everything is stock pedestal setup, I wonder what Catalina did to solve this problem?

paulj

Edited by - on

SEAN
Admiral

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USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2008 : 18:24:41

cant anything go easy !

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2008 : 15:03:55

Mark, the pedestal guard is stock Edson. At this point I would not want to move it forward anyway because there are holes under the legs that I run wires through. But, as I noted, it is the stock setup. I know the ST4000 has been revamped and I believe Edson has also changed the pedestals. Looking at the S-1 manual I see that your wheel assembly has two "slots" for the "pedestal bracket" to fit into. I believe you are using the slot next to the drive motor. My wheel assembly does not have that slot - I wish it did. One of my two slots is unusable and the other puts me where I am now. I wonder if I could drill a new slot?? I also wonder if the new wheel assembly was made to deal with this problem.

I am perplexed and will likely call Raymarine.

My other options are to mod the cable to make a quick 90 degree turn or to mod a new "pedestal bracket" from the pedestal to the wheel "slot." That would involve bending thick metal rod but could be a nice solution. Is it possible to bend 3/8" rod??

Edited by - Nautiduck on 07/15/2008 15:09:56

Arlyn Stewart
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2980 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2008 : 17:45:15

Randy... I have the same setup as you and a similar problem. Mine is solved by using an Edson quick nut to secure the wheel and mounting the wire connector prior to firming the wheel fully into place. From the pic you offered, that may or may not work for you... give it a try.

BTW, the motor mounted in this position will cause the compass to experience significant deviation but that is a minor issue easily overcome.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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3704 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2008 : 19:11:21

Thanks Arlyn, I'll try that. I also have the Edson quick nut. When the Autohelm is on I can refer to it's compass plus we have a chartplotter at the helm. So, the idea is to first attach the drive cable and then mount the wheel and have the cable mount skirt the pedestal guard. I hope it works!

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 08/01/2008 : 17:09:50

Well, my wheel drive unit is just too close the the pedestal so I had to resort to a new tactic.

I removed the unit and put it on ebay!

We never used it anyway and I like the way the wheel looks without it plus the wheel feels better turning without it.

Of course, now I need to find something to cover the hole where the control head was mounted.

While at the boat I also replaced the 4" mast cleat with a 6" model. I never liked the 4" one because the halyards barely cleated to it and that is the cleat that holds the halyard during mast raising and lowering. I like this setup much better.

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 08/01/2008 : 19:11:35

Randy, how about a little speaker to your vhf radio in that hole.
Steve A

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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2980 Posts

Response Posted - 08/01/2008 : 20:14:20

Unless one cruises, an auto pilot doesn't get a lot of use.

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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3704 Posts

Response Posted - 08/01/2008 : 20:24:00

Right Arlyn. Our cruising grounds are the San Juans and the islands are close enough together, and hazards such as rocks abound, so even there we would not use autohelm.

Steve, that is a good idea. I will look into it.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 08/01/2008 : 22:14:50

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Arlyn Stewart
 Unless one cruises, an auto pilot doesn't get a lot of use.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I couldn't disagree more.

As a singlehanded sailor, my autopilot is used constantly. When raising/lowering the main, trimming the genoa, going below, eating lunch underway, using the head,...etc. Whenever I leave the slip, my autopilot is at the ready. The way I sail, I wouldn't have a boat without an autopilot.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 08/01/2008 : 23:16:18

Don, I understand your point. I never sail solo. Not once in ten years of sailing.

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frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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1349 Posts

Response Posted - 08/02/2008 : 11:19:34

Randy, why not post it in the swap portion of the forum?

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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3704 Posts

Response Posted - 08/02/2008 : 11:36:58

Frog, I opted for e-bay because the audience here is C250 owners and most of them have, or may want in the future, the pedestal guard which makes the installation problematic. Plus, I didn't know the value of the unit on the used market and my experience is that e-bay is a good indicator of real market value. I did set a "Buy It Now" price of $500 and current bidding is at $381 with 4 days left.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 08/04/2008 : 07:59:44

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Nautiduck
 I never sail solo. Not once in ten years of sailing.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Randy,

If you never singlehand, then an autopilot is not of much use. I don't think I've ever used my autopilot when someone else was aboard, particularly when cruising when I have three additional human autopilots.

As to never singlehanding, you should get back into it. It'll cleanse the soul.

Edited by - on

Al
Captain

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USA
269 Posts

Response Posted - 08/08/2008 : 14:14:09

"I've got a dilemma. I have a Raymarine ST4000+..."

I think it's a 4000, not a 4000+. Your drive ring doesn't have the clutch adjustment knob that the 4000+ has:

"One of my two slots is unusable and the other puts me where I am now."

Are you absolutely sure it's unusable? I'd take another look at it. I believe that's the slot you should be using. It looks like everything would fall into place if you could use that slot.

Good Luck....!

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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3704 Posts

Response Posted - 08/08/2008 : 15:16:12

Al, thanks for the great post! Two things. First, yes it was an ST4000 but when I sent the control head to RayMarine for refurbishing they sent it back as an ST4000+ control head. Still, that does not effect the wheel drive. My Edson pedestal is different than the one in the book diagram or your photo. Mine does not have a protrusion from the main pedestal that the wheel shaft goes in to. The result is that the starboard side alternative does not work - it hits the actual pedestal itself.

The unit sold on ebay for $565. Everybody is happy.

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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3704 Posts

Response Posted - 08/10/2008 : 23:23:23

Here is how I covered the hole where the Autohelm control head was located. Cut a hole in a cutting board using a hole saw and then used the cutout piece. Added marine sealant along the edges and now I have the hole covered and leak proof.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 08/10/2008 23:24:54

SEAN
Admiral

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USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 08/11/2008 : 18:35:08

what about a stern shower for that hole ?

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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3704 Posts

Response Posted - 08/11/2008 : 18:57:59

Sean, nice idea.

OK, gang, I have a 3 1/2" hole that I would like to put to a practical purpose. Ideas so far include a VHF extension speaker, A light of some sort, and now the shower. So far I can't find any of these that will work with the 3 1/2" hole and be fairly flush. I guess I could make the hole bigger so that is an option.

What other ideas are there? My cover is temporary and I really am looking for a long term practical use for that hole. What would you do??

Edited by - Nautiduck on 08/11/2008 18:59:11

Al
Captain

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USA
269 Posts

Response Posted - 08/11/2008 : 19:15:24

Maybe something like this:

It looks more "purposeful" and less like you're trying to cover a mistake...

Edited by - on

welshoff
Captain

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USA
253 Posts

Response Posted - 08/12/2008 : 11:25:42

Keg Tap??

But really, I would go with the louver. Run a tube and add an interior louver in the rear berth. This would draw fresh air through the boat to your solar vent.

My two cents worth.

Edited by - on

Al
Captain

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USA
269 Posts

Response Posted - 08/12/2008 : 21:53:04

Maybe a deck plate storage bag...?
http://www.pleasureboatmarine.com/bescoutwhdep9.html

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/222722/377%20710/0/beckson%20deck%20plate/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/0/0?N=377%20710& Ne=0& Ntt=beckson%20deck%20plate& Ntk=Primary%20Search& Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial& Nao=0& Ns=0& keyword=beckson%20deck%20plate& isLTokenURL=true& storeNum=5000& subdeptNum=24& classNum=12946

But the beer tap could work, too...!

Edited by - on

SEAN
Admiral

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USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 08/20/2008 : 21:41:19

how about these , west marine #155419

Edited by - SEAN on 08/20/2008 21:49:20

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 08/21/2008 : 15:46:59

Sean, nice speakers. I have Bose at home and am sure these sound great too but a little pricey for my C250. Maybe I will consider when I buy my C42.

Steve A

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