Visit our Popular Forums

Gourme · 28-03-2011, 12:16

Hi to all
I just joined this forum few minutes ago.
I'm used to be a member of other forums and I know that you may certainly help any new comer.
I'm not so experienced in sailing and will soon spend some days sailing in the Caribbean Sea with a team that is currently facing an issue with an autopilot raymarine SPX 30 displaying "fail rate giro".
I made a research on the web and found nothing regarding this.
Could anybody provide any advice and share any experience with such device showing this type of failure ?

Many thanks for your information

cabo_sailor · 28-03-2011, 12:38

Welcome,

I did a little searching and it sounds like you need new parts. From the Raymarine site:

Built-in rate gyro sensor enables Raymarine’s AST (Advanced Steering Technology)
software to intelligently monitor vessel yaw and actually anticipate course changes

Since you get a message that it failed I suspect you will have to send it in for repairs to an authorized shop or to Raymarine.

Sorry, best I can come up with.

Rich

idpnd · 28-03-2011, 12:44

Give Raymarine Southampton a call, they have been extremely helpful in my case suggesting what unit to send in, they then sent me refurbished replacements - superb service

Gourme · 28-03-2011, 12:45

Thanks cabo sailor for your very quick answer

Seems that this is not a very good news as the team is currently just in the middle of the Atlantic ocean from Capo Verde to French West Indies and will continue down to New Caledonia crossing the Panama Canal.

As the device is still under the warranty period, do you think that it would be possible to change from a new part in order not waiting to much for a repair ?

Gourme · 28-03-2011, 12:48

Thanks idpnd, this is actualy the best way I was expecting for and I was wondering if it would be possible to get a new spare part.

cabo_sailor · 28-03-2011, 12:50

That is something you will have to discuss with Raymarine. It is possible but will be a bit of a hassle. Assuming they agree, you'll end up with shipping issues and customs, probably at both ends. There are others on this board with much more knowledge of the procedures and problems than I have. Perhaps one of them will chip in with real experience which I do not have. Perhaps you can ship it from one landfall to be picked up at the next landfall?

The response time is due to the fact that it has been raining all day and there is nothing to do, or at least nothing that I feel like doing. Forecast calls for rain for the next 4 days ......sigh.....

Rich

Gourme · 28-03-2011, 13:31

Well, thanks again and I will try to contact raymarine tomorrow morning.
I will post follow up.
Same bad weather here in France with rainy days.

**Hud3** · 29-03-2011, 05:35

I don't think you'll find a Raymarine dealer in the FWI, but there is one with stores on St Maarten and Antigua--Budget Marine. I've found them to be very helpful and responsive. They would likely be able to direct you to a good technician to do the repair work.

Be sure to look into the procedures for declaring your boat a "yacht in transit" in order to avoid paying customs duties.

Gourme · 29-03-2011, 13:23

Thanks to all for your answers

I had a phone call with Raymarine in France and they told me that the issue is certainly a failure from the calculator that is out of order.
The only way to repair is to change the device.
The warranty period is two years, so that's ok for us as the item is "only" 10 months old.

It seems that there is an agent with a bureau based in Guadeloupe, called Pochon.
I just made a request in order to define how to proceed once the sail will be there and I will keep you informed .
Regards

Gourme · 06-04-2011, 16:20

Hi all,
This is an update regarding the issue with the autopilot. After having contected Raymarine in France, they told me that the calculator was the root cause (seems to be known as a weak point). No way except to change it. Hopefully, this is done under guarantee.
The have an agent in Guadeloupe (Pochon Antilles) and there service is very good. We have now the new calculator that will be tested tomorrow.
Many thanks for your inputs and advices.
Regards