auto pilot for 2005 Sundancer 340 with twin sterndrive BravoIII

S

Stevecyk

New Member
Jun 20, 2014
6
Nwt
Boat Info
2005 Sundancer 340
Engines
496 magnum w/bravo III drives
Some confusion as to what I need to install autopilot on these sterndrive.
this boat appear to be power assisted by way of a Teleflex steering cable and powersteering.

I assume I do not have hydraulic steering and do not need a hydraulic pump. I want to go with a Raymarine branded autopilot.

Does anyone have any insight on what components I may need to install n autopilot with this setup?
 
Sorry I think you are SOL on using Raymarine with stern drives. I've researched it for our 280 and it won't work for a boat as large as ours, so I doubt it would work with yours.

I think the real issue is the mechanical steering (vs hydraulic). The mechanical linkage may be prone to creating a resonant frequency when coupled with steering that is constantly correcting. A full hydraulic system would provide natural dampening.

If you really want autopilot you may need to consider converting to hydraulic steering as well.

Henry


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
kevin27 said:
It can be done. Check out this link. http://www.octopusmarine.ca/products/type-r-drive. One of the other CRS members put one on a 280ss and I was going to put it on my 300da but sold and moved up to the Tiara.
Click to expand...


I did and according to the specs for the type R unit, it will handle boats up to 32 feet and weight of 13,200. It might work with a 280, or a 300 but on a 320 it might be right at, or just over the max.

Henry

I realized Stevecyk was asking about a 340. According to Sea Ray web site a 340 has a dry weight of 14,600 pounds and assuming 3725 pounds for full fuel and water tanks (2725 #) , people (1000 #), and stuff (1000 #) creates a loaded weight of 18325 pounds. Displacement equals weight. The 2005 340 is also 37'-6" long. Both are well outside the the capability of the Octopus type R system.
 
Last edited:
ive got the type R on my 310... works FANTASTIC!!
 
I installed the Octopus with a Raymarine head and it works fine on my 300 with BIII's. Under 1,000 rpm you can hear the drive unit under the helm and for some the scratchy noise can be an issue. Once you get above 1,000 it cannot be heard what-so-ever.
 
I have ordered the Octopus R - could you send me pictures of your installation?
 
THanks for that. I have spoken with Octopus about their limitation and they assure me that on my 2005 340 with Rack and pinion steering assisted by powers steering it will work.
cross my fingers as I have ordered the Octopus R. any one out there with this installed, I would love to see pictures of installation location.
thanks in advance
 
Stevecyk said:
THanks for that. I have spoken with Octopus about their limitation and they assure me that on my 2005 340 with Rack and pinion steering assisted by powers steering it will work.
cross my fingers as I have ordered the Octopus R. any one out there with this installed, I would love to see pictures of installation location.
thanks in advance
Click to expand...

I'll be watching this, i have a 94 330DA with Twin Volvo Duoprops, and have been thinking of the same, also from what I can search on mr google, I will be purchasing the kit from the U.S (Probably Mr Jim at BOE) and freighting to Australia, so will need to ensure it is correct before I go ahead.
Now if I have read correctly, you need to Type R and a Head Unit....like a Simrad etc ???
 
I will be running the Raymarine EV-200 autopilot
 
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