Help - Autopilot Repair in Puerto Rico

[muttnut]

Hello. I'm new to the forum. My husband and I bought a sailboat in Trinidad in the fall, and he is now underway with a crew of 4 others sailing it up to Annapolis. 1 day out of Trinidad on the way to Puerto Rico, the auto pilot is not working. Does anyone know of a place in either Puerto del Rey or San Juan that would have either a repair kit or a replacement part for a B&G or BNG (couldn't figure out which he was saying) autopilot? I have the part number.

[cdennyb]

Throw the info out there and we'll do what we can. A fella on the board named Gord May is a wealth of contact info. If anyone can find a link to the info you need, He can!

[speciald@ocens.]

Try Master Marine Electronics in San Juan (masmar@coqui.net). If you know the part # you need B&G can ship it to Puerto Rico directly a U.S. Rates.

[DeepFrz]

It is B&G.
Here are the dealers listed on Simrad's website

• Caribbean Radio & Telephone
  
  Po Box 9065314
  00906-5314 San Juan
  Telephone: 787-758-5100
  Fax: 787-758-5092
  Zoom to dealer | Download VCard
• Nazario Communication Serv.
  
  Po Box 363941
  00936-3941 San Juan
  Telephone: 787-273-7226
  Fax: 787-793-5103
  Zoom to dealer | Download VCard
• Schafer & Brown Electronics
  
  2444 Hwy 100, Km 5.1
  00623-4443 Cabo Rojo
  Telephone: 787-255-2351
  Fax: 787-851-2642
  E-mail: blbrown@sbe-pr.com
  Download VCard
• Twin Marine Electronics
  
  Calle 7-A #17 Pto Real Cabo Rojo
  00623 Cabo Rojo
  Telephone: 787-851-8825
  Fax: 787-851-8825
  Download VCard

Here is some contact information in US. B&G is now owned by Simrad Yachting

Simrad Yachting - Master the Elements
954-229-0208

[muttnut]

Thanks for the quick responses. It is a B&G autopilot, probably original to the boat, which would make it 10 years old. As my husband described it over the satellite phone this morning, the autopilot lost steering - the ram is out of hydraulic fluid, and something about a piston. He is looking for a part or rebuild kit. The part number he gave me is T212VIP44. I have been calling all over the eastern seaboard and Puerto Rico trying to find it with no luck so far. The biggest hope is Myles Electronics in Florida at the moment. I've tried Schafer & Brown, Master Marine Electronics and Nazario Communications in Puerto Rico so far, and seem to be on hold for life with Martinez Marine at Puerto del Rey. No luck with Schafer and Brown or Master Marine, and Nazario will check and call me back, but didn't sound hopeful. B&G has been bought several times, and everyone is saying it's very difficult to get parts and service for their products. Someone at B&G did seem sure the part is still made, and could describe it, (blue) but didn't have one in stock.

[Sandero]

I would suggest he drop in to English Harbor and contact Cap Green who services electronics etc from his show right in Nelson's Dockyard in English Harbor.

[speciald@ocens.]

Sounds like the seal is gone in the piston. These pistons are generally not made by the electronics company but are Off-the-Shelf from a hydraulic company. I tried to buy one from Raymarine and they referred me to a manufacturer in England. B&G should know who makes a compatible replacement.

[mikemr]

Hello Muttnut, if the seals are blown out he may be able to get it repaired at an industrial hydraulic repair shop. Myles really helped me out earlier this year but if he can't help try Wheelhouse in Ft. Lauderdale at 954-229-0208. Also tell your husband that he can use hydraulic jack oil in the ram but they must be bled properly.

[Hud3]

Another alternative is to simply wait until Annapolis to get it fixed. An autopilot is a luxury, not a necessity, and with a crew of five, no one is going to get worn out from steering. I've done that trip in one direction or the other four times, and we hand steered most of the way by choice. Why let the autopilot have all the fun?

[muttnut]

Thanks for all the input. Myles Electronics, in Florida, found ONE left in the whole country, in Tulsa, OK, and is having it drop shipped to Puerto Rico.