Raymarine Autopilot - "G" or not?

[SweetSurrender]

Hello all - I have considered adding autopilot to my '05 320DA (w/v-drives).

I have researched the various models on Raymarine's website. Based on the size of my boat, it appears the S1 package will do the trick.

My question to you fellow boaters - Should I spend the extra money for the S1G? I understand the G package includes the built in "rate gyro" sensor and AST (Advanced Steering Technology).

Thanks to all,
Ryan

PS: I boat on a fresh water lake - We boat to the same spots on the lake almost every weekend. I'd like the ability for the boat to track itself via autopilot (and I'm also a techy bells / whistles person!)

 

[CJ Martin]

Heck yeah I'd be interested in hearing about your installation in the 320DA. An autopilot is on my "wish list" although I'm not sure where I'd fit the control head on the helm.

-CJ

 

[Skip]

hey, wait, I thought some sort of 45 ish bathtub with a 120 horse diesel was on your wish list....kidding.

You know that you are diesel dancer bound. COme to the oil burning side, Luke Skywalker...

 

[CSR_Admin]

If money is no object then get the G. Or if you have a radar get the G as it will output fast heading data for radar overlay. Otherwise the regular S1 will get you from point A to point B fine. Installation is the same for both, but calibration is a little easier with the G.

 

[CJ Martin]

hey, wait, I thought some sort of 45 ish bathtub with a 120 horse diesel was on your wish list....kidding.

You know that you are diesel dancer bound. COme to the oil burning side, Luke Skywalker...

No time soon, unless the wife gets better at picking lottery numbers...

...or Gary wants to adopt me. :lol:

-CJ

 

[CJ Martin]

On my 320, I relocated the spotlight switch to the vertical wall below the throttles, and placed the control head next to the throttles, pretty much where the spotlight control was. I was luckier in the 340, as there was enough room to install the control head above the spotlight controls.

Hmmm, that might work. I'll check it out tomorrow.

-CJ

 

[smanier]

Just curious: What are you guys doing when the autopilot takes over in a go fast boat? Boating in the Puget Sound the biggest danger is striking a deadhead at 30MPH. In 1-2 foot seas, you have don't have much time to indentify a deadhead.

With the large timber industry in the area, my biggest concern is strike a log and ripping off your outdrive.

Sorry if this is off topic.

 

[SweetSurrender]

Thanks for the replies. Jim - I understand the G version has the auto calibating features. What is involved to calibrate the S1? Is it really involved? At this time, I have chosen not to add radar to my C-80. (I'm on a fresh water lake)

Scott - Regarding the hydraulic pump - I would simply add this "in-line" to my existing steering lines, right?

Thanks for your help!
-RC

 

[promocop]

do you need the RM digial sensor on top to drive the G series plotters?

 

[fwebster]

Before writing a check, be sure you know if you are buying an autpilot that is speed proportional. I'm not a Raymarine fan and don't use their equiment so I can't help, but I can tell you that in a boat as fast as a 320DA you will quickly get tired of the constant zig-zag of a non-proportional A/P.

Speed proportionality is the ability to reduce rudder correction as speed increases. This means that your track always remains straight since the A/P has the ability to input more rudder deflection at slower speeds that it does at higher speeds.

 

[SweetSurrender]

Scott - Thanks a million for your reply. I have a background in electronics, so I plan to do the install. But, I don't know that much about the steering setup. I tried to learn via the Teleflex site; but not much info. A few more questions:

I've been in the engine compartment and found where the hydraulic lines connect to the cylinder - that's attached to the bar connecting the rudders. Right above the stbd rudder is where the smartcraft rudder sensor is mounted. The steering "ram" - is that the unit attached to the back of the steering wheel iteself or the "cylinder" that is attached the rudders?

Can I use the rudder position indicator already installed to provide data to the autopilot & the smartcraft?

Last question (for this post -ha) - You said you mounted the rudder sensor in near the freshwater tank - you meant the fluxgate compass, right?

Thank you!!
-Ryan

 

[Great lakes pirate]

How difficult would it be for me to add autopilot to my 320 with Bravo 3's? I have a newer Garmin and an older Raymarine GPS unit that I would like to tie into the system.

What hardware/software do I need to purchase. It sounds like it would be nice to have the speed compensation device.