Re: catalina27-talk: Autohelm 4000 usage?

[Rory Hammond]

I have been on two different boats recently and in both boats the autohelm wheel systems were much less than perfect at steering the boat, one was on the wheel the other was on the quadrient, they would both eventualy fall off wind 10-20 degrees and then stay there, you could push the +10 button and bring the boat back up but then it would eventually in just a few minutes fall off again. I do not know if the systems needed to be serviced adjusted or were just limited in thier ability.

ahoyther <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

It works very well in certain conditions. Down wind in a strong
following seaway it stumbles and confuses itself. I use the flux gate
compass that comes with it. Yes, I believe you can connect it to your
Raytheon GPS although I don't and I wouldn't, the reason being there are
too many obsta! cles like traffic. It works nicely to weather in one to
two foot seas. Positioning the flux gate has been somewhat of an
experiment and I've moved it more than twice. Currently it is under the
table in the main cabin on the athwartship bulkhead. I positioned the
control next to the hatch on the port side for easier steerage access.
To disconnect you still have to do so at the wheel or tiller. I have a
wheel. You can't legally race using it but for me it comes in handiest
getting the boat to and from a race as I'm usually having to do it
alone. Depending upon how sensitive you want to program it, it can use
up battery. It hasn't been a problem for me because I keep the boat on
a slip.

Best regards,

Dave Hoy
WYANOKEE #6295
Camden, Maine
John Oppenheimer wrote:

>Hi Dave,
>
>Even though I am lake bound on a small lake, the Autohelm 4000 is very
>high on my want list. How well does it work for you? ! Do you use the
>supplied electronic compass or a GPS input to set your headings?
>
>John
>C27 #5956 Austin, TX
>
>
>

Rory Hammond

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