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JASWANNY · Joined: 30 Jul 2007 Posts: 3 Location: New Bern, NC

What is concensus of users for E37 Autopilot available on market today?

I am looking at Raymarine Type I Linear Mechanical Drive and S1 Corepack with St6001 Control Head. Any comments on suitability, problems etc. appreciated.

Jeff

JASWANNY · Joined: 30 Jul 2007 Posts: 3 Location: New Bern, NC

WHAT I INSTALLED

I purchased an Octopus Linear Hydraulic Drive. NORTHSTAR 38 MM BORE HYDRAULIC RAM 12" STROKE MOUNTED PUMP, sold under the Northstar name via WMJ Marine. Getting the Hydraulic Drive unit was the most difficult part of the entire job. I am not sure what is up with this entire deal. About 8 weeks from WMJ Marine. I wanted a Remote Pump, but WMJ did a bait and switch. The Factory and Sales Reps and Distributors were useless.

For electronics, I used a Raymarine ST6002 and S2G Corepack. Three days from WMJ and no problems.

HOW I FITTED IT MECHANICALLY

I doubled up two pieces of 3/4 inch salt treated plywood (I bought a 2x2 foot piece from Lowes) and bolted them into the quadrant. On the front of the quadrant rack, I mounted a home made assembly of channel iron, so that I had a base almost directly in line and forward of the quadrant mounts on the starboard side. It was designed such that the hydraulic drive unit mounted roughly 45 degrees off center of the vessel, with the "fixed end" of the ram when fully drawn back, barely touching the Lazarette access panel into the engine room, and the driven end located approx ten inches radially extending from the rudder post onto the quadrants port most edge. That positioned the hydraulic pump fluid reservoir centered roughly under the quadrants centermost pulley assemblies. Some repositioning of the pump/reservoir on the ram assembly was needed for final fit.

I mounted the Core Pack in the closet on the bunk bulkhead under the Chart table, about a foot off the deck. Dry location, reasonably ventilated. For now the controller is temporarily located in a Winch Handle pocket, portside. I would mount the compass next to the drop down table, low, except for a radio speaker there right now. So temporarily I have the compass high on the bulkhead near the chart table facing the bow.

Project Management Effort (Work, Retirement Speed Man Hours)

RAM
Plywood Quadrant - 8 Man Hours
Quadrant Rack Design, Weld, Sandblast, Paint - 32 MH
Physical Installation - 16 MH
ELECTROINCS-
Physical Install, Pull Cables - 16 MH
Land Cables, Commission Electronics - 8 MH

Most difficult part:

Drilling holes in forward channel of Quadrant Pulley assembly on Port side. Use new quality drill bits, drill pilot holes, have spare drill bits available.

Suggestion: Empty all Lazarettes and remove all Lazarette doors and place in forward cabin. Empty quarter berth and pull drawers and cushions prior to starting installation project.

TOTAL PROJECT
80 MH (ten days, lots of coffee)
Jeff (252) 671 1166