Back up AP

[monte]

I wonder if I could get you dropped in by helicopter for under 2 grand Phil, that might be a fine solution too

[boatman61]

Hoping to be dropping into Gran Canaria by the end of this month anyway... save the cash..

[robert sailor]

Where are you guys buying below deck pilots everything included for under 3 large??

[colemj]

Raymarine Evolution EV-200 Sailing Vessel Linear Autopilot Pack

Mark

[Matt Johnson]

As I mentioned before, we have a CPT as a back-up to our Raymarine below deck. I bought mine used, but if buying new, I would spend the extra for a Raymarine duplicate of what we have and swap parts as needed. A lot of extra piece of mind and ease of use for the extra few bucks over the CPT. What drive unit do you currently have?

Matt

[Matt Johnson]

Edit: Small for your boat, but this one on defender comes with the Octopus type R drive for just $1300. It seems like it's a pricing mistake.

Si-Tex SP110RF-9 Autopilot System

[monte]

Hmm, this thing?

[sailorboy1]

gee, if you willing to spend so much money for a spare AP why wouldn't you just get spares for the one you have and make it plug-and-play?

[Matt Johnson]

Ah, the Lecomble & Schmitt drive... I just happen to have a used one sitting at my house in Michigan. If you wanted, I'm sure I could convince someone to send it out to the Canaries. The do require a type two (higher power) computer from any of the manufacturers.

[robert sailor]

Couple of things the new cpt wheel pilot is not the same unit as the model built just a couple of years ago its a much improved unit especially the compass portion as it steers our boat as well as the raynarine unit
Second because the cpt installs without drilling any holes my plan was to sell it once our passage making days were over.
It does make sense to bring spares for your present unit but I like the convenience of just switching from one to the other and I use the cpt at night almost all the time as it is quiet and hardly draws any power.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by funjohnson

Edit: Small for your boat, but this one on defender comes with the Octopus type R drive for just $1300. It seems like it's a pricing mistake.

Si-Tex SP110RF-9 Autopilot System

Why would it say this?
"Vessel Type: Mechanically Steered Powerboats with Inboard Engines"

I'm guess force required to turn tiny rudders on inboard engines is rather small?

[crazyoldboatguy]

Someone mentioned it looks a little agricultural. The pictures do look a little farmer john. But, wouldn't that be a plus? Folks with bad intent seeking to board your vessel might think twice when they see the electric cattle fence on duty.

This is one of the reasons why I like this forum. I had not heard of this company and am fascinated by the simplicity of it. I would use it on a heavy displacement long keel ketch with hydraulic steering. It looks like the capacity of this unit would be sufficient. Back up or primary, I am reconsidering.

Thanks!

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by robert sailor

Couple of things the new cpt wheel pilot is not the same unit as the model built just a couple of years ago its a much improved unit especially the compass portion as it steers our boat as well as the raynarine unit
Second because the cpt installs without drilling any holes my plan was to sell it once our passage making days were over.
It does make sense to bring spares for your present unit but I like the convenience of just switching from one to the other and I use the cpt at night almost all the time as it is quiet and hardly draws any power.

I'm thinking on a mono hull anyway, that a CPT is an excellent back-up for a below deck unit, for one thing I bet if an auto-pilot breaks, it may well be because of heavy weather, which is exactly when I do not want to be below, trying to work on an actuator, CPT I can install in minutes and not leave the cockpit.

Still with this Cat, to my little mind a completely separate, but identical AP installed in the other hull connected to the other rudder is about as redundant as you can get, sort of like that second engine Cats have.

[Matt Johnson]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Why would it say this?
"Vessel Type: Mechanically Steered Powerboats with Inboard Engines"

I'm guess force required to turn tiny rudders on inboard engines is rather small?

The difference seems to be in how the drive mounts. Some are external to drive outboards and some are internal to drive quadrants....but I know little about the rest of the package. It was just such a low price I had to post it.

Matt

[monte]

Originally Posted by robert sailor

Couple of things the new cpt wheel pilot is not the same unit as the model built just a couple of years ago its a much improved unit especially the compass portion as it steers our boat as well as the raynarine unit

Second because the cpt installs without drilling any holes my plan was to sell it once our passage making days were over.

It does make sense to bring spares for your present unit but I like the convenience of just switching from one to the other and I use the cpt at night almost all the time as it is quiet and hardly draws any power.

My thoughts exactly on the CPT, although it will require some installation as we don't have a pedestal, but Jeff at cpt suggested wing nuts on the brackets for easy dismantling.