My autopilot wheel drive up and done died.
I found out the hard way about the issue many of you already know: there’s an interference issue between the standard Raymarine autopilot wheel drive units and the vertical face of the instrument pod on 90’s vintage Catalina’s.
The PO worked around this issue by installing the now-dead smaller diameter mismatched drive unit. (See attachment 1) This old model wheel drive is no longer available as far as I know and I don’t want a used one. An under-the deck unit is the best solution but its much too expensive.
Please feel free to opine but I think the best option now would be to upgrade the instrument pod with something the likes of which is shown on the second attachment. The slanted face of this newer model pod, I believe, was a deliberate modification to address the interference issue. This particular owner had a 2003 Catalina and a later model Raymarine wheel drive.
I did a quick search of the Internet and found this:
[url]http://store.oceanequipment.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=EP162[/url]
It appears to be the same as the 2nd Attachment. At lease one of you has successfully upgraded from an older version to this newer pod style.
My questions:
Has anyone with a mid 90’s 36 and who’s upgraded to this pod also successfully installed a more recent model Raymarine wheel drive?
Might a “dished” wheel alone work?
Any thoughts/insights would be much appreciated.
Marc & Susan Garcia
"Solla Sollew" #1473, Mk.II
San Buenaventura, Ca.
I did the upgrade a couple years ago. Was no big deal, and I think there's a discussion on it in the jibsheet section? The only issue you'll run into is the tach which has to be rotated a couple degrees in order to fit. No biggie and hardly noticible. I replaced the keyswitch, alarm and blower switches. There is a schematic available on this site but i found the wire colors on my boat to be slightly different, so be careful to note which wires go where so you can put it back together.
Gary and Cathy Price
1997 C36 Mk II Tall Rig/Wing Keel Imagine...
Hull # 1617
Worton Creek, Md.
Northern Chesapeake Bay
My '98 worked fine with the new unit. Just have to cut-off a piece of the engaging lever so it doesn't hit.
Enrique
Talisman '98 mk2 36' hull #1673
Enrique
Talisman
1998 36 MK2 Hull #1673
Tall Rig Wing Keel
M35BC engine
Old Saybrook, CT Summer
South Glastonbury, CT Winter
I have the newer wheel pilot (ST4000, I believe) and the ring fits fine with no interference on my 1999 model with the same instrument pod you have.
I still know the A/P to be under-sized for the task, but I am not willing to do the below-deck A/P at this time.
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/
Don't forget the CPT pilot. Solid components and construction. Positive reviews on 70 footers. I replaced my expensive B&G linear drive unit with the CPT on the wheel 2 years ago. It's faster and can be fine tuned to conditions much easier than the old pilot. Good luck with your decision.
Mark
Mark Andrews
S/V Grace
86 C36 #995730
San Diego
Just pulled an ST4000+ Wheel pilot setup off my boat and replaced with the EV200 below decks. Let me know if you are interested.
2000 C36 MKII 1825