auto pilot for 21ec

[andrew]

I have been researching auto pilots for a 21ec, and it seems the Raymarine Sport is not being made anymore. Has anyone tried the Raymarine "wheel-sail", which would bolt on to the back of the steering wheel. The steering wheel would need to be spaced out an inch or two from the dash. This seems like an economical solution, and i would like to know if any one has tried this, and how it worked out.
The other Andrew

 

[SGIDAVE]

Hello AA,

I've used the Raymarine sportpilot drive with current Evolution kit on my 21EC with good success. I used an older version of sportpilot on an outboard driven pilot house boat in the past. That was a good outfit too.

I think the factory will install the Evolution pilot with sportpilot drive; maybe they'll sell you one.

I'm not aware of the "wheel-sail" drive being used on a 21EC.

I suspect, though the dimensions look tight, that an octopus drive, or Simrad's version could be made to fit behind the dash. For example, like this (http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?pat ... id=2537025)

An AP is a GREAT addition to the 21EC.

Let us know what you end up with,

dave

 

[andrew]

Thanks Dave,
The Simrad AP24 looks like it might be a good solution. Since I am an ex "rag sailor", I know the value of a good auto pilot on long slow voyages. One of the many attractions of a 21ec for me, was that it moters at a speed I am used to and like.
The new boat is being delivered late April, so I will let you know what the outcome is.
Fair winds and clean diesel, Andrew

 

[andrew]

I have just completed the installation of the Simrad AP24 autopilot with a mechanical S drive, on my 21EC. I was not able to find a Raymarine Sport since they are no longer made. The unit installed easily, and with the exception of a 20 degree bezel, everything needed came in the box. The 20 degree bezel was necessary for the drive unit to clear below the windshield wiper motor, since it is longer than the standard U-flex drive unit. The existing U-flex steering cable fitted perfectly with the new S-drive without any extra parts. The S-drive unit has a rudder feedback built into it, which shows the rudder position on the control panel, so it is not necessary to buy a separate rudder feedback unit.
The 20 degree bezel results in the steering wheel being at an angle similar to a car, and is more comfortable to steer manualy than the standard 90 degree mount. There are different ways to install the bezel, depending on how far out from the dashboard you want the wheel. I installed mine so that the top of the wheel is about two inches from the dash, which gave me a bit more room for my knees. I am 5'11" tall, and it is more comfortable to sit at, without the need to change the position of the seat or install a sliding seat. The compass is installed under the port v-berth bunk, beside the head, and the computer I installed under the starboard bunk near the hull. I built a small teak instrument panel above the dash which is large enough for the AP24 control head, the Garmin GPS, the Volvo tachometer and the Volvo engine on-off switch. (I prefer the tack to be up where I can easily see it.
The Simrad AP24 is a very sophisticated autopilot, which so far has worked well, and is very quiet when running. After making the usual calibrations on the sea trial, it keeps an excellent course, even with a quartering or following sea.
The advertising for the AP24 with an S-drive, says this autopilot is designed for boats with outboard motors and out-drives, and does not mention inboards. However it works fine on the 21EC, probably because the rudder is a good size.

 

[baz]

Andrew:

I've been waiting for your report... and Andrew Custis did mention you had successfully installed the AP24 while I was with him at the Ranger Kent factory discussing Autopilots for 21ECs.

Wonderful news about the successful Simrad AP24 install. How about a photo or two to help us visualize your console mods etc.

My 21EC is being built up at this time and I was fortunate enough to find a brand new (and has a 2 yr warranty with it) Raymarine SmartPilot SPX5-R kit along with a new p70R Control Head on eBay. Cost was $1600. This will be installed on my 21EC.

The p70R will be located in the top starboard corner where the searchlight control panel is. The searchlight control panel will simply be relocated to the same place in top port side corner.

I did try out the seat position with the SmartPilot's drive behind the wheel and found that my right knee was hard up against the wheel and had no room to swing out further as the starboard shelf alongside was in the way. For this reason I've opted to have the sliding helm seat which also raises seat level up by 2-3".

The 20º bezel was the trick with the AP24 for sure with its 10" drive unit behind the dash.

The low noise level of the AP24 was appealing to me and hope my SmartPilot isn't too noisy.

How long did it take to install the AP24 ?

What is the AP24 warranty terms and conditions ?

As an aside, with respect to engine RPM. I'm having the Garmin NMEA 2K Gateway installed during my 21EC build, along with a NMEA 2K backbone for connectivity to my Garmin 741XS MFD. This will allow engine RPM/Coolant temp/Battery voltage etc to be displayed on the 741XS screen.

I really appreciate how much easier access is to all things on the 21EC compared to my previous R-25.

 

[SGIDAVE]

HELLO Andrew,

Congratulations on your Simrad AP installation. It's great news that the system installs easily on the 21EC...now others will have a viable option since the Raymarine is not currently produced.

Not having a rudder position sensor is a plus...I installed on on my Raymarine kit because it was included with the EV200 pkg and claimed that the system would work 'better' with it. Anyway, not having to do the surgery on the deck overlying the rudder is good for you.

Did you connect the Simrad to an N2K network? A benefit of that is that the AP can then follow a course you've set up on your chartplotter. AND, if you have radar, it will used the flux gate compass/heading sensor data off the N2K network to give you MARPA capabilities.

You get the MOD OF THE WEEK award Andrew!!

dave

 

[baz]

Andrew Appleton asked me to post these photos of his Simrad AP24 installation....

 

[SGIDAVE]

I have a couple questions for Andrew A.:

But firs...that's a NICE installation. You've got everything right in your normal field of view. I like it.

-How did you extend the volvo D1 engine harness so you could relocate the tachometer and start/stop controls?

-What did you do with the holes in the STB console where the tachometer, etc originally were installed.

-Does your new 'heads-up' console tilt for work on the wiring? I see a hinge along the aft edge in the pics.

-This seems obvious, but...does your wheel turn when the AP is working? Of course it does on mine with the Raymarine Sportpilot but your's is a different design.

Thanks!

dave

 

[andrew]

Hi Dave, thanks for your interest.
The cables for the Volvo tack and the ignition panel were long enough to go to the new console. Ranger had doubled up the extra length under the starboard console and behind the fridge. I cut a 1/8" round white plastic disk and covered the hole left by the tack, fastening it with two stainless screws, and I plan to put a water temp gauge where the ignition was. The new console tilts aft towards the wheel on a stainless piano hinge, enough to work on the back of the instruments. The wheel does turn with the auto pilot, but is so quiet, you don't hear anything when the engine is running
Cheers, Andrew

 

[sheral]

Nice job! In addition, the tach and V-P ignition panel is now in a location that would make them much easier to use. Maybe a design job at Ranger is in your future? 🙂

 

[andrew]

Nice job! In addition, the tach and V-P ignition panel is now in a location that would make them much easier to use. Maybe a design job at Ranger is in your future? 🙂

Thanks, I work cheap!

 

[Tortugas]

Sweet! Thanks for sharing

 

[harley]

So what’s the latest on autopilot options for the 21EC? I am very interested.
Harley

 

[rdwilson]

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=16380

The latest thread on autopilot, with my post of what I ordered to get mine installed earlier this year.

 

[harley]

http://www.tugnuts.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=16380

The latest thread on autopilot, with my post of what I ordered to get mine installed earlier this year.

Thank you. Did you ever get photos of the installation. I read the post and trying to get an image of how all this goes together.

 

[rdwilson]

uploaded the pics I took into a new album, The one big thing that still isn't done is the stock plastic cover for hiding the mounting hardware between the dash and wheel won't fit with this setup. I am thinking I will eventually get a piece of wood to carve to make one...

 

[lproulx]

Question about Simrad Autopilot - I have a Raymarine unit on my R21 that basically works very well, but for hand steering you have to overcome the action of a friction clutch in the drive unit. This makes the boat hard to hand steer. How does Simrad deal with this? Do you somehow disengage the autopilot drive unit?

Larry