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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Recent Autohelm Install with pics and WARNING

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albert
Captain

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USA
262 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/07/2002 : 01:44:58

Just finished Abacus' autopilot install. Tried it out last weekend. Best addition I've made. I'm not a tiller-slave anymore!

Just tried my first trial route by entering waypoints in the Garmin, linking up the waypoints as a route, then setting the GPS to navigate the route. Next I put the autopilot in "tracking" mode which makes it get navigation info from the GPS. Works great. When you approach your next waypoint the autopilot will beep to notify arrival. You must then accept the new bearing BEFORE it will change heading.

WARNING: The only glitch is that the Raymarine Autohelm 2000 Plus only recognizes waypoints with a MAXIMUM of 4 (yes only four) characters in their name. If the waypoint has a 5th character (blanks included) it ignores it and won't switch to the new waypoint. Basically, if you're heading for land, rock, etc. and you've plotted a waypoint to change your heading before landfall, it MUST be named with only 4 characters. If you enter a 5th character (e.g. a space) the autopilot will ignore the new waypoint, won't sound the alarm, and will continue to steer you through your "greater than 4 character" waypoint straight onto landfall, grounding, mishap, etc. Oh well the world is not a perfect place.

See pics below for installation detail.

Albert Iturrey
al@comhertz.com
Abacus' new home page: http://www.comhertz.com/abacus

Autopilot on Cantilever Bracket with Garmin GPS
<img src="http://www.comhertz.com/abacus/gps_autopilot.jpg" border=0>

Socket installation
<img src="http://www.comhertz.com/abacus/socket.jpg" border=0>

ST50 Remote
<img src="http://www.comhertz.com/abacus/remote.jpg" border=0>

Edited by - Albert on 03/07/2002 01:45:52

Edited by - Albert on 03/07/2002 01:46:34

Edited by - Albert on 03/07/2002 01:54:10

Edited by - on

allencl
Navigator

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USA
143 Posts

Response Posted - 03/07/2002 : 02:17:28

Thanks for the great pics and for the info too.

-Chris on "SPIRIT" C25 SR WK #5644

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teamwike
1st Mate

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82 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2002 : 09:45:01

I have a couple of questions:
1. Why the 2000 over the 1000?
2. For basic installation did the unit come with all the parts necessary to fit the C-25?
3. What kind of load does the pilot put on your electrical system? I understand there are a lot of variables such as number/size of batteries, sea state, other loads...etc, but in general terms. (# of hours before needing charge)
Thanks and Nice Pics!!
Max in Jaxs

Edited by - on

albert
Captain

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USA
262 Posts

Response Posted - 03/09/2002 : 00:49:30

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>I have a couple of questions:
1. Why the 2000 over the 1000?<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
1000 is rated for displacement up to 6000lbs under average conditions. The 2000 is rated up to 10000lbs. When you load up a C25 with outboard, fuel, water, ice, food, people, bottom paint, etc. then factor in the heavy original "unbalance" rudder I concluded that the 1000 would always be working at its upper limit. Additionally, the 2000 is twice as fast--ie more responsive. They both use about the same battery power. The 2000 has a more efficient drive unit.

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>2. For basic installation did the unit come with all the parts necessary to fit the C-25? <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
No. The cantilever bracket was an additional $60. See manual for specifics http://www.raymarine.com/raymarine/SubmittedFiles//Handbooks/Autopilots/ST1000and2000plus.pdf
The ST50 remote is free when purchased from http://www.sailnet.com

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote> 3. What kind of load does the pilot put on your electrical system? I understand there are a lot of variables such as number/size of batteries, sea state, other loads...etc, but in general terms. (# of hours before needing charge)
Thanks and Nice Pics!!
Max in Jaxs<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
I don't know the exact load. I just got the unit. Supposedly its not too bad. The main factor is to balance your sails.

Albert Iturrey
al@comhertz.com
Abacus': http://www.comhertz.com/abacus

Edited by - albert on 03/09/2002 00:58:47

Edited by - on

Metoac
Deckhand

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23 Posts

Response Posted - 03/11/2002 : 12:33:50

Thanks for the info and great pictures. I am ready to purchase a autopilot myself. Did you consider the Simrad TP20CX at all. It seems to be similar to the Raymarine Autohelm 2000 Plus.

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Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 03/11/2002 : 15:44:44

I chose the Raymarine Autohelm 2000 Plus over the Raymarine Autohelm 1000 for the same reasons Albert Iturrey cited. As I recollect, Practical Sailor liked the Autohelm 2000 Plus and the Simrad TP20(?) about equally well. I seem to remember the Autohelm 2000 Plus having some additional bell or whistle (or price difference) that settled the toss-up for me.

I did my installation slightly different than Albert's. I used the included brass socket to mount the fixed end of the autopilot to the top of the stbd. coaming. I added a (5"?) extension to the tiller pushrod to get dead-ahead to match mid-travel. I also used the extra long threaded tiller pin, but that's probably overkill. (I'm an overkill kind of guy.<img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>)

I really like Albert's idea of putting the autopilot and GPS wiring connectors in the stbd. coaming box. I plan to do the same, along with a spare 12.VDC cig.ltr. outlet for a spotlight or hand-held VHF, and maybe a switch for the foredeck floodlight. (And remote controls for the VHF and stereo? Maybe I'm getting a bit carried away here...<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>)

I'll probably install the jack for the Autohelm remote control down in the cabin at my electrical center. The remote's cord is real long.

-- Leon Sisson

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teamwike
1st Mate

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82 Posts

Response Posted - 03/11/2002 : 20:23:28

Good information thank you both
Max

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Bristle
Admiral

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USA
834 Posts

Response Posted - 03/11/2002 : 21:52:44

So, Albert..... What was your bill from SeaTow? <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Dave Bristle, 1985 C-25 SR-FK #5032 "Passage" in CT

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albert
Captain

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USA
262 Posts

Response Posted - 03/12/2002 : 02:02:22

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
So, Albert..... What was your bill from SeaTow? <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Dave Bristle, 1985 C-25 SR-FK #5032 "Passage" in CT
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

No bill, I read the warning label on the autohelm <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>:

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>WARNING: Navigation aid
Although we have designed this product to be accurate and
reliable, many factors can affect its performance. As a result, it
should only be used as an aid to navigation and should never
replace common sense and navigational judgement. Always
maintain a permanent watch so you can respond to situations as
they develop. <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
"situations" like "why are the mangroves getting so close?"

Albert Iturrey
al@comhertz.com
Abacus': http://www.comhertz.com/abacus

Edited by - on

albert
Captain

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USA
262 Posts

Response Posted - 03/12/2002 : 02:05:02

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Thanks for the info and great pictures. I am ready to purchase a autopilot myself. Did you consider the Simrad TP20CX at all. It seems to be similar to the Raymarine Autohelm 2000 Plus.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

I considered the Simrad, but I preferred the Autohelm's built in display. I've also read on various occasions that Raymarine has great support.

Albert Iturrey
al@comhertz.com
Abacus': http://www.comhertz.com/abacus

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