The Right Autopilot for an Allied Seawind 30

[chartertom]

I'm shopping for an autopilot for an Allied Seawind 30. The wheel is a rack and pinion system, not the typical cable to quadrant. Any thoughts on what might be appropriate and what would work best. I'm leaning towards the Raymarine X5 unit.

[billsull]

Hi Tom,

I installed the X-5 in my Seawind last year and I'm very glad I did. I recently singlehanded her from CT to Maine and the autopilot made the trip very easy. My only complaint is the power/data connection on the back of the motor. The plug cover isn't UV resistant and when I touched it, carbon black would coat my hands and make a mess. I "solved" that problem on the trip to ME by inadvertently catching my foot on the wire and yanking the plug out of the back of the motor. I was able to repair the plug, but the cover had to come off in order to do so. Until I get a replacement, it's attached to the back of the motor with a liberal amount of electrical tape. I would say the exposed wiring is the biggest drawback to mounting the X-5 on the reversed wheels we have on our Seawinds. You can see how I installed mine on my website:

Bill's Classic Plastic Boats: Raymarine Autopilot Installation

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

[marc2012]

I have a ray 6000 on a sw 32 and works pretty well.If going slow not so good. marc

[billsull]

Marc - did you have tough time finding a way to install the a/p ram on the rudder post? I think that is one of the big differences between the Seawind 32 and the 30. One our ASW30s, the outboard rudder and lack of a true rudder post makes it a challenge to install a belowdeck autopilot.

If anyone has solved that puzzle on the Seawind 30, I'd like to know for the day when I have to replace the X-5.

[marc2012]

Hooked to where emergency tiller attaches.marc