[C320-list] autopilot

[Louis Friedman via C320-list]

We have the original Raymarine auto pilot on our 1999 320. it doesn't
hold a course very well-even when motoring. The lever seems to pop
halfway up shortly after engaging it. Wondering if others have had the same
problem.

Lou
#623
MissAdventure

[Mike Shetter via C320-list]

[1]https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BAXWdyZA8/

Here’s how I fixed the problem.

Get [2]Outlook for iOS


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References

1. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BAXWdyZA8/
2. https://aka.ms/o0ukef

[Diane Fowler via C320-list]

Yes- we replaced ours and keep an extra belt with us.

Captain Diane Fowler, CRS, GRI, e-PRO

Entrepreneur / REALTOR®
Experience Real Estate Group, LLC
[1]https://dianefowler.eresuccess.com

Cell/Text: (239) 850-4935
[2]dian...@aol.com
"A referral of your friend is the greatest compliment anyone can give
me."

On Jul 26, 2025, at 9:39 AM, Louis Friedman via C320-list
<c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:

 We have the original Raymarine auto pilot on our 1999 320. it doesn't

References

1. https://dianefowler.eresuccess.com/
2. mailto:dian...@aol.com

[Jeff Smith via C320-list]

Hey Mike,

I appreciate your attempt to share a solution. I, too, suffer from this problem, and I would like to see your solution. However, I do not belong to Facebook (or any social media), so I can’t see it. While I can, and will, ask my wife to check this for me, I just want to point out that the email group and the Facebook group are not completely overlapping sets of people.

Cheers,
Jeff
#121

[Steve Weinstein via C320-list]

I had the same problem with the old Raytheon autopilot unit.  It would wander all over the place.  I upgraded to a new EV-100 Raymarine unit and it functions much better, tracks relatively accurately (as much as a wheel pilot unit will), and seems to be a more robust unit all around.  Not cheap, but if you use the autopilot a lot, it's well worth the investment.  And if you are doing or plan on doing some ocean sailing or offshore in heavy weather, seriously consider moving up to the ram drive unit.
Steve Weinstein2000 C320 #722, Vega.

[P.F. Ross via C320-list]

Good points Jeff.

I clicked on Mike's facebook link figuring I would need to sign in (yep).
Since I don't facebook either, I couldn't see his post but did see the
facebook 320 group has 654 members.

Wow. There must be a lot of info going back and forth on facebook that
those of us on the outside cannot see.

So thx to Mike for posting his facebook link. As Jeff said, he knows
someone (his wife) who can open the link and I am guessing that most of us
facebook outsiders know someone, too. Hopefully, other 320 facebookers (is
that even a word?) will link their interesting posts on our list as well
and we can just get a friend or family member to open it for us if it looks
pertinent.

Or perhaps there is a more elegant way to share info between the two groups.

Regards,
Frank Ross
Beta Wave #206

[Troy Dunn via C320-list]

Frank-

The ideal place to find good information in most cases is not Facebook.
It is way too wide open and filled with folks that espouse opinions as
facts and get bent out of shape if anyone attempts to have a constructive
conversation that runs contrary to what they think. I try to share what I
can or point folks back to the list or website. Generally speaking…i find
myself posting there less and less.

For Raymarine autopilot issues, the Raymarine forum as well as the cruisers
forums have much better information. I had to refurbish my mark II wheel
pilot (the grey one) and I found tons of really reliable info and manuals
through those resources.

Regards

Troy

[Greg Flanagan via C320-list]

My story exactly. Except the old one nearly crashed us while leaving Bedwell Harbour (BC) when it decided to do a 360 as I was forward working on the mainsail. We upgraded to the EV-1. It has been exceptional. Working well in almost all conditions, under motor or sail.

Greg
Hoop Dancer #1076
Sidney, BC

> On Jul 26, 2025, at 10:47 AM, Steve Weinstein via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
>
>  I had the same problem with the old Raytheon autopilot unit. It would wander all over the place. I upgraded to a new EV-100 Raymarine unit and it functions much better, tracks relatively accurately (as much as a wheel pilot unit will), and seems to be a more robust unit all around. Not cheap, but if you use the autopilot a lot, it's well worth the investment. And if you are doing or plan on doing some ocean sailing or offshore in heavy weather, seriously consider moving up to the ram drive unit.

[Louis Friedman via C320-list]

Thanks all. We don’t have a 3 d printer but will consider upgrading to the ev if we start cruising more.
Sent from my iPhone

> On Jul 26, 2025, at 2:32 PM, Greg Flanagan via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
>
> My story exactly. Except the old one nearly crashed us while leaving Bedwell Harbour (BC) when it decided to do a 360 as I was forward working on the mainsail. We upgraded to the EV-1. It has been exceptional. Working well in almost all conditions, under motor or sail.

[Dennis Cookson via C320-list]

Lou, I used to have problems with course-keeping on our vessel of the same vintage as yours until I realised that the rudder sensor had never been installed correctly and was feeding erroneous data to the Smart Pilot course computer. I reinstalled the sensor so that it tracked the radial wheel properly and the difference is remarkable. It now has no problem accurately maintaining a course by sail or motor in wind speeds of up to 20 knots.

I have previously serviced the belt drive system at the helm wheel including inserting bolted fixings for the pulley wheels and replacing the belt. The original plastic mounts are prone to breakage.

Dennis Cookson
‘Catalina’ 1999 #0577

[Diane Fowler via C320-list]

Where are rudder sensors and how to adjust?

Windy City

Cape Coral

Hull #948.

Captain Diane Fowler, CRS, GRI, e-PRO

Entrepreneur / REALTOR®
Experience Real Estate Group, LLC
[1]https://dianefowler.eresuccess.com

Cell/Text: (239) 850-4935
[2]dian...@aol.com
"A referral of your friend is the greatest compliment anyone can give
me."

On Jul 28, 2025, at 9:28 AM, Dennis Cookson via C320-list
<c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:

Lou, I used to have problems with course-keeping on our vessel of the

[Beau Black via C320-list]

I’m having the same issue WITH motoring; it starts over correcting and swings back forth 15 degrees; however when sails are up and boat is balanced can hold a course relatively well unless it’s blowing 25+knots or going close hauled, seems to get overpowered.
I am waiting for the Facebook admin for Catalina 320 to accept my request.
Did you find a solution?
#344
Grapevine Texas
Beau
Sent from my iPhone

> On Jul 26, 2025, at 9:40 AM, Louis Friedman via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
>
>  We have the original Raymarine auto pilot on our 1999 320. it doesn't

[P.F. Ross via C320-list]

Diane,

The Raymarine Rudder Angle Sensor (M81105) is a separate sensor that is
mounted below decks and attaches directly to a point on the steering
quadrant. Output from this sensor feeds into the autopilot head and gives
feedback to the autopilot that the rudder is doing what the autopilot
wants. Without this feedback, the autopilot simply assumes the rudder is
acting as directed. So the autopilot will work without the rudder angle
sensor. Sort of.

Here is installation manual from Raymarine:
https://raymarine.app.box.com/s/rceod5tdes4u02h34n4echxzysuwryj5/file/22147203765

And here is a pic from Christopher Ashley on the 320 website on his
installation:
https://c320.org/mediagallery/media.php?s=20081116101437209&query=rudder+position

Hope this helps.

Frank Ross
Beta Wave #206