[C320-list] Autopilot upgrade

[Scott Thompson]

Time to replace my old, tired, non-functional autopilot, and possibly
other instruments not working at the same time. I'm toying with the idea
of switching to a below-decks linear drive instead of the wheel pilot I
have now. It would be more powerful than the wheel drive, include rudder
sensor, and be more protected from the elements. Also, it would clean up
the helm station and would not require moving the engine instruments
pod, which otherwise would be necessary with a new wheel drive. The
installer I'm talking to says that he would anchor the linear drive to
the swim platform, through-bolted with a stainless backing plate (which
would thus be on the top of the swim platform).

Some questions for you...

1. Does anyone know whether that part of the swim platform is sold glass
or cored? This is on a 1999 model year boat. The installer says he has
done similar installations on a 350 and that the swim platform is sturdy
enough to take the forces involved. I'm sure that is true for normal
sailing but what happens in a hard grounding?

2. Thoughts on whether this is a crazy idea? Has anyone else made that
change? The only real downside I've discovered is the cost, which is
substantially more than a wheel pilot. But I'm tired of dealing with the
old ST4000+ which seems to be broken more often than not, and never did
steer a straight line at its best, even when I followed all of the
tweaks and recommendations coming from this list.

Scott Thompson
Catalina 320 "Surprise," hull #653 (1999)

[Jon Vez]

Hi Scott,

Perhaps I can provide you with some info. I owned a '99 and now have a 355. My linear drive is attached to the swim platform with substantial bolts and a large backing plate. The Swim platforms are both solid glass. With the proper backing plate you should have no problem.

As far as the performance difference, there simply is no comparison. If I had known how substantially better the linear system was compared with the wheel drive versions, I would have upgraded to this system on my 320 in a heartbeat! I went through the aggravation of upgrading my wheel drive system on my 320, which included swapping out the engine control pod etc. if you're going to upgrade, the linear drive is the way to go....hope this helps...

Regards,

Jon Vez

Sent from my iPad

[Pat Ireland]

Scott - My appology that I have no information for you, but the change to a
linear drive is an upgrade that I'd like to consider. So, please keep us
posted on the configuration and costs as they are identified. Thanks
Pat, 801

[mill...@aol.com]

Scott, I had a below deck unit on my C&C. It was on the boat when I bought it and the 10 years I owned the
boat I never had a problem, so I do not recall the mfg. It was power full and controlled the boat well in heavy seas.
I know it was mfg. in Seattle by a company that built tcommercial boat units.
One point that has not been mentioned, if you have a steering system failure (pedestal chain or cable
breaks), your below deck unit is attached directly to the rudder post and you go fully on auto-pilot and
get home.
Art #680

[Bruce Hunter]

I bought a Sensa Tank 100 3 tank monitor, I want to mount the monitor above the battery selector switch on the starboard side. Last night I wanted to look behind the panel to see what was there, I then found out that simply removing the face screws doesen't do it. I'm heading down to the boat now to start taking things apart but I figured I'd post this and check my "not so smart phone" along the way for any advice or hints.

Thanks,
Bruce
Nauti Time #719

[Monkey Mail]

Bruce,

To remove that wood face you will have to first remove the book case to the left (bow) of the battery selector panel. About 4-6 screws if I recall. Due to the heavy gauge electrical cables attached to the battery selector I would advice doing your looking from the side, at least until you are ready to disassemble the batter cables from the selector to start your project (if you even need to d that).

Good luck,
Lou Hodac
Blue Moon
Hull 702

Sent from my iPad

[Bruce]

Thanks, Lou! That worked! I should've seen that last night but it got late and I was worn out. Anyway, I'm in. So onward with the installation!

Bruce.

[Bruce]

Its in and working! Looks great too. Thanks for the help!
Bruce
Nauti Time #719