I plan to have a local boat mechanic install a below deck Raymarine EV200 Auto Pilot System on my Catalina 36MKII.
I have read Larry Brandt's excellent article about a below deck Auto Pilot system. He mounted the Linear Motor to an added arm from Edson and the rudder position sensor to the tiller quadrant.
My mechanic thinks it is possible to mount the Linear Motor directly to the quadrant and not use an added arm that is mounted and drilled through to the tiller arm.
I'd appreciate any thoughts, concerns or suggestions about mounting the Linear Motor directly to the quadrant.
Ken Enstrom
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Ken Enstrom
2004 C-36 MKII #2199
Tall Rig, Wing Keel, M-35B
S/V Valkyrie - Sail Great Lakes
Ken,
Per previous autopilot conversations on this site, Edson manufactures a dedicated tiller arm that fits on the rudder shaft above the quadrant for an autopilot attachment. They claim the quadrant is subjected to excessive stress if there is a direct attachment to it. Our boat came from the dealer (or factory?) with the autopilot installed and connected to the quadrant. I suspect that most or all of our boats have been outfitted that way. I have checked the steering every year and never discovered any cracks in the quadrant. That said, we only use the autopilot during furling and unfurling the sails. For serious offshore cruising, in my opinion, it might be a good idea to spend the $ on a tiller.
Paul & Wendy Keyser
"First Light"
Rye NH
2005 C36 MKII #2257
Wing, M35B