Autopilot

[Nicolina]

I would like to add an autopilot to my set up, but can't find a good solution. I don't like the wheel pilots that leave you with a grey plastic ring on your beautiful wheel. Below-deck autopilots are rather expensive. I was toying with the idea of using a tiller pilot somehow. For example, the Raymarine X5 tiller pilot Ash a separate control unit, so it could be possible to install the pilot itself below deck, like a linear drive.

Does anyone have an autopilot? What did you chose, how did you install it, and how does it perform? Thanks for any views. comments and ideas!

[Allure2sail]

Hi:
Two summer ago (due to me mostly solo sailing) I put on the new Raymarine unit on my wheel. I have to say I would not sail without one. Good luck in mounting one below deck, it might take some engineering effort but I'm sure it can be done. I took the easy way out and bought an off the shelf tried and proven setup. Not sorry one bit, works awesome. I can send you a picture or two if you'd like.
Bruce
S/V Allure
Narragansett Bay

[Nicolina]

Bruce,
Did you get the Raymarine X5? This is of course the best choice, I still have to meditate a little to get over the grey-ring-on-the-wheel element of teh installation. Where did you put the fluxgate and the black box? Yes, I'd love to see pictures of your installation! Thanks.
Jens

[Allure2sail]

Hi Jens:
Yes, it was an X5, nice unit (had a recall on them early on, which of course was the one I had). It broke cruising off of Martha's Vineyard during the first week of use. The tech desk at Raymarine and myself figured how to do a temporary fix and when I got back a week later I sent the unit back to them and I got a brand new one in return. There are two small contact pins that are molded into the cap and one had pushed back so the unit would only turn to port. I pushed the pin back in where it belonged, a dab of super glue and some electrical tape to hold the cap on (I messed up the threads taking it apart) and it was good to go. The tech guy wasn't that happy about me doing a field (or should I say a sea repair) but I still had another week left of cruising to the Vineyard and on to Nantucket and I needed  it to work. The unit has performed flawlessly since then....
Best of luck...
Bruce