Measuring where the mounting holes is the most difficult task since there isn't anything straight (parallel to the keel) in the cockpit to measure from. I measured out into the cockpit through the centreline of the boat (along the tiller itself - in line with the keel) and then turned a 90 degree angle to the starboard side and measured out (towards the gunwales) as opposed to measuring from the outside in... far easier to do when you know that the lines that you are measuring are straight and in line with the keel (or perpendicular, which you'll need as well). As far as actually installing the system, it's pretty easy - I fed the cable through the starboard side cubby (?) in the coaming. The actual mounting is in the starboard side line locker lid, so I had to epoxy more material (wood) onto the underside of the locker lid. I do have some pics at home - I'll try to dig them up for you. Having the unit installed on the seat is good since it's almost in line with the tiller at the point they recommend that you attach it. It's bad too since you'll have to fold your cockpit cushion while it's in use. When in use, the system has an internal fluxgate compass - you have to swing/calibrate it to make sure it's the same as your boat compass (otherwise the numbers won't make sense!). Without any other configuration with other instruments, the unit will hold a compass course - whatever you set it at - or will simply keep the boat "going in that direction" if you disregard the compass heading. You can also use the system to "tack" the boat - nice when you're single-handing. If you get a wind system (and connect it to some kind of boat speed device - ST40 Bidata/Wind is great together), you can then link all the systems together to hold a particular point of sail, no matter how many times the wind shifts... set it on a beam reach, and you'll stay on a beam reach, even if the wind shifts 180 degrees. Of course, you'll still have to watch for other traffic (and accidental gybes)! You can also feed GPS info to it - lat/long/waypoints to follow a particular track/course (nice when under power). I have a Raymarine chartplotter in the mix too and although I've not used the autohelm to follow a GPS course very much, it's nice to know that it can do it.
Regards, JKB ----- Original Message ---- From: Joe McCary <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2007 3:23:48 PM Subject: RE: catalina27-talk: Raymarine ST 2000 Do you have any photos of the installation? How difficult is the process of installing? And in use how does it work. I don’t have any wind system, is it worth adding them also? What do I gain? Joe McCary Aeolus II #4795 West River, MD [EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of John K. Bedford Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2007 3:01 PM I purchased the ST2000+ for my C27 and it works extremely well. I also have ST40 Bidata and ST40 wind and linking the ST2000+ together with the wind system is fantastic. I wish that I would have spent a little more time on the installation though... seems that I don't have it quite right since turning to port is a little more difficult than turning to starboard (I need an extension on the ram). I opted for the tiller pin to be mounted on the underside of the tiller - looks better and you can't catch anything on it. You'll need a bracket for it though - I believe I went with the 2" - would have to measure it to be sure. Regards, JKB 3Cs 1982 C27
