Autopilot for 34 Catalina

[wingate9]

I have a 1986 Catalina 34 that I have thoroughly enjoyed being my "project" boat the past 4 years. One of the last steps is replacing the old autopilot. I have been told there are few options in a boat this size, weights 12000 lbs. Also not many manufacturers are even making helm mounted autopilots.

I would greatly appreciate your inputs here as to your thoughts / experiences with a great option.

Thank you in advance

[not_yoda]

in my '88 catalina 34, i used the raymarine ev100 autopilot (https://www.raymarine.com/autopilot/...ot/ev100-sail/)...

working well for 2 years... no complaints so far. i have all raymarine electronics and appreciate that everything tied together w/ out any issues.

i had considered the CPT autopilot (CPT Autopilot Inc.), but the inability to integrate with the wind vane to maintain AWA was a deal breaker.

good luck!

[Sailor Sailor]

My Sabre 34 is 600 lbs. lighter than your Catalina 34. I installed a Raymarine ST4000 Wheelpilot, which works as well as could be expected on an IOR-influenced design. There are used ones available on eBay and Craigslist for a few hundred dollars, as some move into fully integrated navigational units.

[hugosalt]

Just recently installed a Raymarine Evo 100 on my 8,500 lb. 30 fter. Replacing my
Simrad WP 30 (which was operating just fine, but belt was a pain to replace if anyone can use). The Evo 100 (says max displacement 16,000 lbs.) with limited use seems good and was happy to see it hold course in gusty conditions.
Also just delivered 30 ft S2 from NY to RI which had a older CPT unit that performed flawlessly for 24 hours straight.

[Tetepare]

Most common I’ve seen on the 34 is ST4000

[donradcliffe]

I delivered a Catalina 34 downwind from Santa Cruz to Marina del Ray. The Raymarine ST4000 lasted less than 2 hours when the wind picked up. The Catalina hull and rudder design put a lot more demands on the autopilot than the average 12,000 pound boat. If you want to depend on your new pilot, I would go with a below deck unit and oversize it.

[Donnybrook]

I've used an EVO 100 wheel pilot on my 1990 Catalina 34 for 2+ seasons and it' works very well, much better than the ST4000 wheel pilot it replaced. Only condition it couldn't handle was when over canvassed on a reach in 20+ knot winds. It handled downwind in 3-5' waves and high teen wind with no i problem. Make sure you get the rudder position sensor, keep proper trim and reef when needed. I love the ability to steer a course to wind

Lots of info at https://c34.org/ including pics of a below deck install for comparison.

[gonesail]

the ST4000 is a lot of fun. works good under power or medium sail with my 10K lb. boat. so nice to be able to leave the helm for a few minutes.

[two-rocks]

I am in the camp if doing things twice at twice the cost... ;-)
Catalina 36 - installed a wheelpilot (the newest version) then added a rudder reference.
Then installed the below deck parts (linear drive and edson bronze arm).
Using the ev-100 with a manual clutch switch. Works great.

I very, very much wish I never met the wheel pilot. It worked..., not great (or at all) in heavy weather (when needed most!) and was never quiet no matter how many times I re-worked the wheel drive.

[Stu Jackson]

Our C34 forum has the answer(s):


https://c34.org/bbs/index.php/board,11.0.html


Search on autopilots. Many have installed below decks units and have photos.

[Rockinar]

CPT Autopilot. Simple. Rugged. Works.