Hunter 420 below deck autopilot install...

[knowclew]

I'm looking to install a below deck autopilot on my 1999 Hunter 420. It's not obvious to me how or where to mount the actuator either linear or rotary. I did see in another thread some information about something being mounted below the pedestal with a gear.

Does anyone have any pics of their 420 below deck actuator installed? Any other additional info/advise would also be welcomed.

Thanks

[Rohan]

You will probably get better answers on the Hunter Sailboat owners site or, better yet, the Facebook group.



https://forums.sailboatowners.com/


https://www.facebook.com/groups/hunterowners

[knowclew]

Thanks Rohan, already there.

[deblen]

Some ideas:
https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...nt-140087.html


https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...on-181000.html


Reliable & relatively inexpensive compared to hydraulic ram IMHO
RAY. M81130 https://defender.com/assets/pdf/raym...54_install.pdf

[deblen]

A slick rudder sender arm kit. Arm attaches to rudder stock with SS hose clamp.
https://www.wmjmarine.com/s81854.html

[knowclew]

Hey thanks deblen!

Unfortunately because of space constraints, I think I'm in the unenviable place where, if I'm going to use linear, it means attaching to the quadrant in some fashion.

[deblen]

Originally Posted by knowclew

Hey thanks deblen!

Unfortunately because of space constraints, I think I'm in the unenviable place where, if I'm going to use linear, it means attaching to the quadrant in some fashion.

I don't see a problem with that if you reinforce quadrant with a plate & mount the ram so that it is parallel to the plane of quadrant and dosn't push up or down-only horizontally-as described in old post.
Cheers/Len

[deblen]

A method of mounting ram so that it is strongly attd to hull. The mounting plate should be holesawed to fit snugly down over rudder stock.This way the ram is not able to push/pull the rudder stock sideways.

[knowclew]

This is what I'm working with(minus the mold of course):

The one set of pics is from a similar situation but obviously with more clearance.

[knowclew]

I am flexible, another option might be a rotary actuator under the binnacle. A compromise on not having a backup should a issue arise with cabling from the wheel to the quadrant.

As luck would have it, a previous owner installed a mounting bracket under the binnacle for a rotary actuator. Unfortunately, the cost for the drop in replacement actuator(Lewmar Constellation Bavaria?) is $7k!! Considering a Raymarine unit is less than $2k.

I took some measurements and to do so, would require replacing the mounting plate on the Raymarine to adapt to the existing mounting. It's not clear to me if I did this, if the sprocket on the actuator would line up to the sprocket from the wheel shaft. Seems like I would need one of the two sprockets to slide on their shafts a bit to line things up.

Eenie, meanie, miney mo...

[deblen]

Originally Posted by knowclew

This is what I'm working with(minus the mold of course):

The one set of pics is from a similar situation but obviously with more clearance.

Wow! I've worked on old English cars with more room than that.

[knowclew]

Originally Posted by deblen

Wow! I've worked on old English cars with more room than that.

That would be Eenie, "mini", miney, mo...

[deblen]

Originally Posted by knowclew

I am flexible, another option might be a rotary actuator under the binnacle. A compromise on not having a backup should a issue arise with cabling from the wheel to the quadrant.

As luck would have it, a previous owner installed a mounting bracket under the binnacle for a rotary actuator. Unfortunately, the cost for the drop in replacement actuator(Lewmar Constellation Bavaria?) is $7k!! Considering a Raymarine unit is less than $2k.

I took some measurements and to do so, would require replacing the mounting plate on the Raymarine to adapt to the existing mounting. It's not clear to me if I did this, if the sprocket on the actuator would line up to the sprocket from the wheel shaft. Seems like I would need one of the two sprockets to slide on their shafts a bit to line things up.

Eenie, meanie, miney mo...

I have no experience with binnacle mounts.
There must be a 420 somewhere with a pilot that you could look at.
Len

[deblen]

Is pic looking down on emergency tiller attachment?
If so,could you make a rudder stock extension shaft that is notched to fit over that crosspin & have your ram & new tiller arm in that upper compartment?

[deblen]

I don't have any personal experience with this,but it appears to turn a steering wheel?
https://trionics.com/comnav-29010009...able-steering/