Saba 50: Where is the auto-pilot compass??

[CatDAzur]

I have a problem with the autopilot staying on course.

Some techs are suggesting it may be a faulty compass.

But we cannot find the damn thing.
Does anyone here know where the Garmin compass is located on the Saba?
Thanks!

[Adelie]

When you locate it I would start by figuring out if there is any inappropriately located ferrous objects or wiring.

As far as locating the compass, start at the control head and trace the wiring. Look in the manual for you unit, it should indicate which set of wires goes to the compass.

[Fore and Aft]

I just did a quick google and it’s a black plastic ball. So start emptying your lockers and have a look. I usually see them mounted on the main bulkhead, the other day one was mounted under the V-berth. It should be safe to say it’s not in the engine room but anywhere else is a possibility.
Cheers

[jtsailjt]

I had one mounted in the bilge, somewhere else to look.

[a64pilot]

I mounted mine as close to the roll center of the boat as possible.
So in the bilge, in the middle of the boat.

[Cuvee]

On my hull#2 Saba (4-cabin maestro), the Raymarine compass is located in the large pantry in the starboard hull. It's mounted on the aft edge of the top shelf.

If not there, have you checked in the space under the salon helm seat. That's where they place the optional subwoofer so you wouldn't want the compass near it.

[Lancerbye]

The compass is not the only thing that can throw you off course. A bad rudder follower will do this as well.

[Oceansailor]

Normally you try to install the compass low and in the center of the boat. But finding a position where there are little interference can be difficult. Take a strong magnet and move around in the search of the compass. Have one person looking at the display in order to see when the compass moves.

[Uplander]

Our self-steering became unreliable and traced the problem back to the compass. We had a break-in months before and the sods attempted to remove the auto-helm compass and broke the mountings in so doing. Glued it back together and all is well.
It is mounted under the side decks in a locker .

[rbk]

Had a similar issue a few years back when I finally had time to check it out someone (friend) has stowed a small mobile toolkit full of wrenches for the dingy literally on top of it. Took them off and worked fine.