1971 Hinckley 38 Sailboat Autopilot Recommendation

[brucejsnider]

The secondary trim tab "dog bone" on the wheel at the helm (that is a total pain in the rear) prevents me from installing a new Raymarine wheel Autopilot.

Any practical solutions? Please advise.

[Orion Jim]

A photo would help. Are you aware that a wheel pilot can be mounted forward or aft of the spokes on your wheel? The wheel pilot on my boat is mounted forward of the spokes as I have a windvane and the control lines attach to the wheel adapter which is mounted aft of the spokes.

[coopec43]

When I asked the experts at Coursmaster to advise their particular model of autopilot for Helen they wanted to know the complete design specifications and drawings.

Is there a reason why you prefer wheel autopilot instead of a quadrant rudder autopilot?

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https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/hinckley-38/

[marcjsmith]

Bruce. Since you don't like the trim tab, could you lock the trim tab to center and remove the dog bone...

I know the older hinckley had a fairly substantial pedestal.
couple that with the hub on the wheel/trim tab and the gear/belt hub for the wheel pilot, your only option may be to have a linear drive installed rather than the wheel pilot. Which stinks as it sends the price much higher.

[GordMay]

Like these?

➥ https://www.hughes38.com/?page_id=297

[marcjsmith]

Gord. I found this pic which shows the "dog bone"

[brucejsnider]

That's the "dog bone" I was speaking of! I am currently installing an Autohelm 3000 as the previous owner used.