autopilot

[Red Horse]

Hi folks,
Is anyone here using a Simrad auto pilot on their wheel steered multihull? Feed back on what you are using if not Simrad.
Rich

[maxingout]

We are using an Autohelm 7000 with a linear drive into the quadrant. So far it has lasted more than 33,000 miles and 13 years with only two repairs. One set of epicyclic gears stripped and replaced. One motor bearing ruined by rust on the bearing.

[izibizi]

had Autohelm 7000 hydraulic for 9 years on my last cat, the new now is lighter and smaller, has Raymarine 7000 with Jefa rotary drive direct to the wheel, so in case one ruder fails, the other one hopefully still functions. Jefa drive because they employ a triple nested epicyclic gear and no plastic parts or tiny belts inside. Under power at full speed, mostly avoided, but sometimes needed, the Raymarine G version with counter steering gives you a smooth ride like on rails, I could never steer myself that way, gains one or two knots too and cleans the engines, Yanmar even asks for that ;-)

Henry

[2Hulls]

Raymarine linear drive with 7000+ control head, S3 corepack (I think) and wireless remote. No problems except sometimes there's a loose nut on the helm.

Dave

[AnchorageGuy]

In our opinion Whalepilot by WH Autopilots ( WH Autopilots ) is by far the best out there for long distance cruisers. We have used ours for over 10 years now without a problem of any kind and it steers the boat in almost all conditions.