raymarine linear drive autopilot

[paulburn]

hello

does anyone have one of these?

I am interested to know how much it increases stiffness on the tiller helm when not in use?

I'm considering fitting to Pogo2 - 21 foot mini.

thanks paul

[sailvayu]

If you are talking about a tiller pilot you simply remove it from the tiller when not in use so it would not effect steering at all. The one I had you just lifted the end off the tiller and set it aside. Hope that is what you were looking for

[paulburn]

no ! the linear drive is permanantly attached! paul

[s/v 'Faith']

There is very little resistance. The drive has two connections, one powers the motor, the other engages an electromagnetic clutch. When the unit is in standby (or off) the only resistance is what it takes to screw the screw jack in. It runs on ball bearings so it is pretty easy to turn.

[barnakiel]

The below deck unit has very little drag. Impossible to tell it's there with a wheel but you will know it is there as you are with a tiller.

PS remember you will need a ruder reference unit too - make sure there is a way to fit it in.

4000 GP will do unless there is a reason you do not want one.

b

[paulburn]

many thanks, that's really good to know.

I prefer internal drive, quicker to engage and doesnt get wet etc

Paul

[barnakiel]

Your rudders are external and so (I think) you will have to drill a hole in the stern and build an attachment/fitting on one of the foils. Waterproofing the stern hole is always an issue. The below-deck anchor for the drive has to be super duper - make sure you have plenty of room to do the lamination. And the tiller feedback reference is not waterproof - it has to be in a dry location too.

If you plan to use a wind instrument in the set-up, look towards the g corrected sender, expensive but well worth the buck on any AWA sailed boat.

The on-tiller installation is much easier. But sure where there is a good reason, cash & skill, any other solution can be had.

Cheers,
b.

[paulburn]

Thanks Barnakiel. You raise excellent points.

The boat is usually sailed with an internal NKE ram - there is a hole/small arm into the hull on one of the rudder fittings as standard fitting.

I prefer the Raymarine, as cheaper/less steering stiffness I think, but I am worried about the strength of the lamination etc being a worrier !

paul

[barnakiel]

@ Paul: I have ever only seen nke hydraulic drives. These require a completely different waterproofing policy. In fact, I once installed the ram outside in the wet area and the boat got to the finish line fine. I mean the Ray drive must be kept DRY. (Look up its IPX standards to be sure). Same refers to the rudder reference unit.

Strength is not an issue if you know how to design the post and how to laminate. The issue is how to get access to the building site and how to keep water and humidity away. BTW you need at least the '10' course computer for this Ray drive. The new ones with integrated accelerometer way outperform the older models.

b.

[Bash]

I have one, but use it with a wheel. I can certainly feel the resistance it creates.