Autopilot for E40
Date: November 19, 2001
From: Gary Beckett garymbsail@mediaone.net
We want to fit a proper autopilot to our 1981 E40. I think these "big ladies" weigh too much for the wheel pilots. [I can rave about the Autohelm ST4000 I had on our 34 O'Day for 8 seasons,however]. The only justification might be 2-3x cost permitting throw-away of the smaller units when they break. All thoughts welcome.
Date: November 20, 2001
From: Don Gordon Dongordon34@aol.com
Gary,
I have a 1981 Endeaour 40 and have an AUTOHELM 6000 on it. I have owned the boat seven years and it has never given me any problems. In fact its performance far exceeds the expectations I had. I have had it in 6 foot following seas for over 24 hours and it did a remarkable job of holding the boat on course. If I ever have to replace it I will purchase another autohelm 6000 or its successor.
Date: November 20, 2001
From: John Bartoszek jbartosz@symbol.com
Gary,
I have an E-40 and, although I have not installed it yet, I have selected the CPT wheel pilot as my choice. It is supposed to be much more powerful and robust than the more conventional wheel pilots. It costs about $1400. Not the prettiest unit but is has great reviews and that'a a lot less than $2000 ++ for a below-deck unit.
Date: November 20, 2001
From: Fred VerPlanck verplanck@fredsplace.zzn.com
Gary,
We have an Alpha 3000 autopilot on our '85 E-40...... probably about a 1991 model. It was installed by the DPO, works very well, and has the hydraulic ram "upgrade". It's quiet, dependable, and the current draw (at least on overnight passages) is within the power generation capacity of our various amp-making devices. The newer Alpha models allow GPS input, more remote control options, etc.
If cost is an issue (isn't it always ?), I'd look for a good second- hand Alpha with the hydraulic ram. YMMV, etc,
Date: November 20, 2001
From: Wayne Turk JANWAYNE@aol.com
I have an autohelm 6000 on my E-40 & it works fine. I would be cautious of going any smaller though.
Date: November 20, 2001
From: Paul C. Uhl endvr32@endeavourowners.com
Gary,,
I don't think the wheel versions are going to work. A friend of mine has the ST6000 on his E38 and it seems properly sized for that boat. The ST4000 would probably be undersized and burn out quickly. In fact I've been considering going to the ST5000 for our E32.
Date: November 20, 2001
From: Gary Beckett garymbsail@mediaone.net
Paul, thanks for the quick reply. I'm thinking on those lines myself. Your right about the ST4000. I found it a fine unit on a 11,500# boat, but it max's out at just under 18,000# acc. to RayMarine. I hope I can contribute to the forum as well as benefit.
Date: November 20, 2001
From: Paul C. Uhl endvr32@endeavourowners.com
Gary,,
One of the things that's held me back from sizing up to the ST5000 or 6000 on our E32 is cost. I assume this might be an issue for you as well. One alternative I've found is with the NEXUS system. They offer a package where you can get a hydraulic system similar to the ST6000, plus all new instruments (wind, speed, depth, etc) for the same cost. It also comes with a central computer and electronic compass. Practical Sailor rated the instruments as a best buy some years ago. I don't know about the autopilots.
Date: November 21, 2001
From: Joel Braverman bravoj@worldnet.att.net
Hi Gary,
In 1996 we purchased an E40 cc 1984 model which displaces approx 25000 lbs. The vessel came with an Autohelm Wheel pilot which we discovered from many knowlegable parties at the Atlantic City Show would be useless in anything but flat seas. We were "steered" to the Cetrek equipment which connects directly to the steering quadrant and have been quite satisfied. Although it is a heavy investment at the outset, it will be well worth it when encountering any kind of weather, especially in New England waters. We travel LI Sound to Buzzards Bay in the summer and have been happy with performance. Good Luck.
Date: November 24, 2001
From: Bill Smith BillGerie@aol.com
Gary,
I have a 1983 E40 which has a Cetec Benmar autopilot which is hooked up to the steering system under the aft cabin bunk, it operates with a control head in the cockpit and a compass system mounted on the bulkhead to the left of the cabin door going into the aft cabin. I believe the system was installed when the boat was new. Until this year the autopilot did a good job of steering the boat in most all conditions; however, this year it started to get erratic in holding heading. Since my wife and I are planning to head south next winter and go to the Bahamas and given the age of this unit, I'm planning to upgrade the autopilot with a new digital compass unit and remote controller from the same company. The upgrade with a remote controller will run me around $1800.00 plus whatever labor it will take to get it installed. As best I can tell reading their brochures the cost of a new basic system would probably run around $2500. Benmar Marine Electronics, Inc. is in California. Their address is 3629 W. MacArthur Blvd., Suite 208, Santa Ana, Ca. 92704. Their telephone number is (714) 540-5120. Good Luck.
Date: November 24, 2001
From: Captain Ossie McCollum captainossie@hotmail.com
I recently installed an ST6000+ with a type II short linear drive on my E-40 before we took a small cruise to the Exuma islands from Ft. Lauderdale. This system worked great and handled some trailing seas with 20 kt. winds very well. I was able to attach the linear drive to the quadrant by sandwiching the quadrant frame between two pieces of 1/4 inch aluminum plate that I cut to size with a jigsaw. The base of the drive was attached on it's side to the wooden framing under the rear berth which I strengthened with additional 2x4 framing. The rudder angle indicator was mounted upside down under the rudder post support.
Date: November 25, 2001
From: Gary Beckett garymbsail@mediaone.net
Ossie, can't thank you enough for the info. The ST600+ is probably the way I'll go and a photo as well!! Can I assume you did not have to drill holes in the quadrant? Would fewer bolts in the quadrant plate make for a stronger plate or a weaker attachment? Again, thanks a lot. Gary.
Date: November 26, 2001
From: Frank D. Boensch FDBASSOCIATES@compuserve.com
Gary
We have an E40 with the ST4000. This works quite well for us. It has been on the boat for 10 years without problems. I must say that it does really well motoring, which, as a cruiser, we seem to do alot. Under sail, at relatively low wind speeds (20kts max) ti will hold the boat on most points of sail. Down wind with a following sea is really tough. If I were to do lots of off shore, long passages cruising, I would consider a heavier system. But for Chesapeake Bay, Florida Gulf Coast and the Keys as well as the Bahamas, cruising where you can pick your window and weather, it is a good choice, at least for us.
Date: November 28, 2001
From: OSGOOD MCCOLLUM captainossie@hotmail.com
I did not have to drill holes in the quadrant, and used four 3/8th inch SS bolts that that fit just inside the quadrant frame holding the two aluminum plates together with the quadrant sandwiched in between. I did have to drill small holes in the rudder post support frame to attach the rudder angle indicator.
