Autopilot

[onestepcsy37]

a64pilot, I see that the CPT autopilot list of customers' boats includes Island Packet 40.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

............ Steering effort as long as the sails are balanced is quite light, even with the little wheel, there is a significant portion of the rudder ahead of the hinge point, making of course for the light steering effort.

Being that the wheel force is so light, and because of the small wheel, the 90 ft lbs of torque that the CPT can exert is honestly I believe more than I would want input into the steering gear anyway.

See this is your problem. You think that since when things are good the wheel only needs a light touch to steer as why you think a wheel AP is enough.

But that isn't really when you are counting on your AP. You size you AP for when things are BAD. This is why 90+% of time a 30 amp AP is only using 2-3 amps. But when you need to take care of a sail problem etc during heavy weather that is when you when you want the AP to up to the job.

My AP has a 20% higher displacement rating than my boat, and yet I still seriously considered getting the next size up.

[Arthur Garfield]

a64pilot,

Hi- I sympithise with the "hunching".
In your photo seems you may be able to employ 1 slight fixes to overcome-

1; lower helm seat.
2;cheat in slightly larger diameter helm wheel.

All the Best

[Terra Nova]

The way the seating is designed, I would be afraid of catching my junk in the wheel pilot mechanism.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

See this is your problem. You think that since when things are good the wheel only needs a light touch to steer as why you think a wheel AP is enough.



But that isn't really when you are counting on your AP. You size you AP for when things are BAD. This is why 90+% of time a 30 amp AP is only using 2-3 amps. But when you need to take care of a sail problem etc during heavy weather that is when you when you want the AP to up to the job.



My AP has a 20% higher displacement rating than my boat, and yet I still seriously considered getting the next size up.

Now assuming CPT isn't lieing, the autopilot can exert 90 ft lbs of energy, that's about the same torque as you torque your head bots to, in other words, that's a lot.
I think it's about three times as much torque as the Raymarine can exert. I don't think I want more than 90 ft lbs put into my steering

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by Terra Nova

The way the seating is designed, I would be afraid of catching my junk in the wheel pilot mechanism.

You know if I were so equipped, I guess I'd have my Harem do the steering
You sir, are da man

[a64pilot]

I guess I was way off on the Cyl head torque, Mine is torqued to 54 to 61 ft lbs

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Now assuming CPT isn't lieing, the autopilot can exert 90 ft lbs of energy, that's about the same torque as you torque your head bots to, in other words, that's a lot.
I think it's about three times as much torque as the Raymarine can exert. I don't think I want more than 90 ft lbs put into my steering

That's WAY over thinking it.

I think you are looking for someone to tell you to get the cheaper wheel AP. So just get it as it probably will work 90+% of the time and maybe you never plan to go out in a condition that it wouldn't.

[Badsanta]

Most island packets have a place for a chain sprocket on the stern end of the steering shaft for a rotary drive autopilot. Mine had a zip tie and pin already there. I used a raymarine EV-200 and chain drive. Works great. Lots of photo's and info on the island packet factory site. Factory and owners very active. Great place and smart people willing to help.

[a64pilot]

Pretty sure I will get it, and possibly when we leave for cruising get whatever is available and best at that time, remove the CPT, leaving it's mounts and drive pulley so that it can be put back on quickly and easily in the event the under deck one fails. Until then I'm only coastal cruising, always within 48 hours of land so I shouldn't be out in anything really bad.
I am intrigued by the theory of the CPT as it's KISS

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by Badsanta

Most island packets have a place for a chain sprocket on the stern end of the steering shaft for a rotary drive autopilot. Mine had a zip tie and pin already there. I used a raymarine EV-200 and c gg ain drive. Works great. Lots of photo's and info on the island packet factory site. Factory and owners very active. Great place and smart people willing to help.

I think it may be you that I talked to on the phone?
I do believe that driving the pinion gear directly is the most energy efficient way

[a64pilot]

Badsanta, can you give me a link? What do you mean by factory site?

[ErBrown]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Badsanta, can you give me a link? What do you mean by factory site?

IPYOA.com is the best one I've found and it's linked to from the owners portion of the factory site IPY.com

[onestepcsy37]

Although the CPT is more powerful than the other wheel pilots I don't see that as a problem. It's strong enough to move larger rudders traveling through water at higher speeds without destroying it's own internal gears, a common problem with ordinary wheelpilots. Most other wheelpilots specify 16000lbs as the heaviest boat they are designed for. The CPT website lists boats using their gear and most of them are well over 16000lbs.

I can't imagine the CPT overpowering your steering gear. Although I have always thought of my CSY 37 as being overbuilt, and although its never given me any trouble, I still worry about the apparent fragility of my chain and cable steering system. Your IP 38 seems to have a stronger system.

[mpatter894]

I have an old Robertson r3000x hydraulic on my Kelly Peterson 44 with a CPT (these are bullet proof also just have spar belts)for back up, the Robertson is awesome even when it gets rough