Auto Pilot

[Kochie]

Recently joined this forum so here goes. I'm trying to decide on the best auto pilot for a 55ft sailing cat. Been looking at the Coursemaster 950 and the Raymarine 200. My steering is cable and I will need a rotary drive.
Suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
P.S. Currently in aussie but boat nearing completion in the Philippines.

[TJ D]

Originally Posted by Kochie

Recently joined this forum so here goes. I'm trying to decide on the best auto pilot for a 55ft sailing cat. Been looking at the Coursemaster 950 and the Raymarine 200. My steering is cable and I will need a rotary drive.
Suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
P.S. Currently in aussie but boat nearing completion in the Philippines.

Here on Rocket Science, we have an NKE gyropilot, driving a Whitlock direct drive. The NKE replaced a Simrad AP20, which wasn't up to the job, frankly. The Whitlock drive, however (now sold by Lewmar), has been on the boat for at least 10 years and is still working like a champ. I recommend this setup highly. The NKE unit is awesome. Expensive, but it's really good stuff.

If it works for the Vendee globe guys...

If you go this route, you MUST install relays or a separate circuit for the clutch into the drive. The NKE does not provide a full 12v to the drive's clutch.

It took us a while to figure that one out. We were pretty disappointed at first, but once we got that part sorted-awesome. We've hit over 20 knots surfing with the boat on auto without any undue anxiety.

TJ

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Kochie.

[travellerw]

We run an EV-200 with a Type 1 Linear drive. The install was simple, price was good and the performance has been fantastic. The only downside is proprietary SeaTalkNG connectors. However it wasn't a huge deal to make up an adapter cable to connect to Canbus.

However, our cat is much smaller than yours. For a cat your size you would want a Type 2 or go hydraulic. Personally I prefer the linear drive as they are bullet proof. I also don't like hydraulics on boats, but thats just me.