Hi Lars,
Yes, we finally got around to it a few weeks ago. The clutch receives its power from the course computer which is where our problem is. We connected the clutch positive to a hot source through an existing unused switch in the
cockpit which just happened to be located under the
autopilot power switch so that it may be turned on when the
autopilot is in AUTO or STANDBY. It means developing a procedure where if a manual course correction or tack is required, the clutch switch must be turned off. The Autopilot can be left in AUTO or STANDBY for manual course correction. We have done a functional check at the
dock and everything checks out OK. Sea trial will have to wait until we resolve a starter problem, hopefully in the next week or so. I'll let you know how it all works out. This is on my son's
Columbia 50 and I have stressed to him that he should only use the autopilot when established on course and not to use any track function as in the "heat of the moment" forgetting to manually turn off power to the clutch might be problematic and that this is a temporary fix until the course computer can be properly repaired. But you know how those "temporary" fixes have a way of becoming permanent.
Werner