Autopilot Installation on E38
Date: July 31, 2000
From: Barney Stallings Mrjulia@aol.com
We have just purchased an E 38 and need to install an autopilot. I would like info on what has or has not worked well for other owners. We use the boat on the ICW, Chesapeake, N C sounds and crossing to the Bahamas. Thanks for any responses.
Date: August 12, 2000
From: Bruce Bonbright Hale-Moana@worldnet.att.net
Barney, we installed an Autohelm (Raytheon) ST4000. It is a "wheel drive" system rather than a below decks model. It works fine for when we are under power, which was the primary reason we purchased it. When under sail, it works fine in light to medium wind as long as the sails are balanced so that there isn't excessive weather helm. In lots of wind, it is easily overpowered by the forces on the rudder and will not respond fast enough...so we steer by hand in these situation. I probably would anyway. After a couple of years of using the system I would say it is fine for coastal cruising but would recommend a more powerful below decks system for going off-shore without enough crew to have someone at the wheel at all times. Good luck.
Date: August 29, 2000
From: Bob & Marylou Tressler Bobbolink@aol.com
Barney, when we purchased our E38 in'95 we went to the Atlantic City boat show with a big shopping list. One of the items we were looking for was an autopilot. We looked at Autohelm and Navico. Neither manufacturer would sell me a belt driven unit because the 38 displaced greater than 18,000 lbs. Looking at the under deck ram driven systems, we felt that Navico gave us more features for our money. We purchased a PL-8000 unit as well as it's companion hand held remote programmer, the HP-8000. The control unit at the wheel is very compact, about 4"X4". The hand programmer is hard wired into the nav station, and has enough cord so that I can sit on the bridgedeck, under the dodger, and steer the boat from there. Great for inclement weather! The unit has worked well, although we have never been in any real rough seas and can't tell you how it would perform in those conditions. If I can answer any more questions please contact me. By the way, is your 38 aft or center cockpit?
Date: November 6, 2000
From: Carl Gartley gartley@brookshireent.com
I have an E38 with a Alpha Spectra Autopilot which has sailed my boat from Pensacola FL to Mexico, to Key West and back. It uses very little current compared to the others I've seen. I've had absolutely no problems with it. We had a following sea going to Key West and she held a beautiful course.
