Westsail 32 Hydraulic Autopilot Project

[Bambolera]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

You can combine spx series with any arm, it can be a hydraulic arm too. Still, go for the spx as the brains of the system.

b.

Thanks for the tip. My biggest gripe with the last system was the brain.

[Bambolera]

Originally Posted by westsail374

The Westsail 32 balances well enough to go without an autopilot if you find them beyond your means.

We sailed 2500 miles in our W32 by balancing the helm and tying off the tiller.

I have heard that windvanes are a very good option on these boats too.

Enjoy your boat. Westsail the world!

Bill

I had a Says Rig and I can balance the boat and do the sheet to tiller thing, all of which work great in open water. The autopilot I want can be operated with a remote and can steer though coral heads.

[Bambolera]

Originally Posted by forsailbyowner

My autopilot is Furuno Navpilot, the boat has hydraulic steering so the ram is Teleflex I believe.

Is this the one?

http://www.iboats.com/Teleflex-Inboa...m/view_id.2074

[Shoalcove]

I think that L&S may make a drive to do what you want. You can always check with PYI. I have found them very helpful in the past.


-- PYI Inc. Max-Prop PSS Shaft Seal Seaview Radar Mounts R&D --

[Bambolera]

Originally Posted by Shoalcove

I think that L&S may make a drive to do what you want.

I found this on the L&S unit:

LINEAR DRIVES FOR EXTERNAL INSTALLATION


System fitted on "MINI" sailing-boats
Balanced hydraulic cylinder.
Compact overall dimensions.
Reversible power pack equipped with an electric by-pass valve and an oil reservoir.
Separate reversible power pack for installation at selected.
The linear drive kit is delivered assembled and bled, with 1,200 mm flexible tube.*
All fittings in stainless steel.
*Other lengths on request.



Complete kits Ref.
Linear drive 28 DTP - RV07 - 12 V - BP - RI 2201909
Linear drive 28 DTP - RV07 - 24 V - BP - RI 2201910


RV07 Power pack
Maximum flow rate 700 cc
Adjustable flow rate No
Voltage 12 / 24 V CC


Cylinder
Maximum pressure
120 kg
Radius of tiller arm
129 mm
Stroke
150 mm
Time lock to lock (rod going out)
9 s
Time lock to lock (rod going in)
9 s
Length of flexible tubes
1500 mm
Location of by-pass
Groupe
Power pack model RV07
Flow rate 0.6 litres
Electrical consumption 7,5A-12V / 4A-24V
Weight 3 kg

[westsailwill]

Bambolera,
Just wondering if you ever got around to actually designing and building anything? Sounds really interesting. I would love to hear more.

Cheers,

Will

[roverhi]

To put it bluntly, anyone who does not have a pendulum servo self-steering vane like an Aires, Monitor, Cape Horn on a W32 is clueless. These vanes will steer the boat if it will make headway under sail. Did more than 10,000 miles with an Aires and the subsequent owners did another 25,000 with the vane. Probably spent less than 24 hours total at the helm, didn't have an autopilot for powering, in all those miles. Never tried it, but there is the possiblilty of using a cheap tiller pilot on the vane to steer a compass course if you want. The vane steers the boat so well that the only thing you need an autopilot for is powering. Powering doesn't take much of an autopilot.

FWIW, just bought an SPX5 GP Tiller Pilot Core Pack for $1600. You'd still need the control head but should be able to get it up and running for around $2,000. A used Monitor will cost you about $1500.

[westsailwill]

Wasn't looking for a lecture on the attributes of a windvane, as I used an Aires on my W32 for over 10 years, and recently installed a Cape Horn. I simply was interested in what I thought was an interesting concept. No reason to get so excited.

[mrohr]

Originally Posted by westsailwill

Wasn't looking for a lecture on the attributes of a windvane, as I used an Aires on my W32 for over 10 years, and recently installed a Cape Horn. I simply was interested in what I thought was an interesting concept. No reason to get so excited.

A little unfair to roverhi;you asked a question and this man gave you the straight skinny on a solution that will neatly solve your issues without all these unnecessary complications as discussed.

But it is your boat and we all should respect that, its just that those who really want to get out there and sail places seem to use Roverhis approach and embrace the simple and elegant solutions.

[mrohr]

Originally Posted by westsailwill

Wasn't looking for a lecture on the attributes of a windvane, as I used an Aires on my W32 for over 10 years, and recently installed a Cape Horn. I simply was interested in what I thought was an interesting concept. No reason to get so excited.

A little unfair to roverhi;you asked a question and this man gave you the straight skinny on a solution that will neatly solve your issues without all these unnecessary complications as discussed.

But it is your boat and we all should respect that, its just that those who really want to get out there and sail places seem to use Roverhis approach and embrace the simple and elegant solutions.

[westsailwill]

Originally Posted by mrohr

A little unfair to roverhi;you asked a question and this man gave you the straight skinny on a solution that will neatly solve your issues without all these unnecessary complications as discussed.

But it is your boat and we all should respect that, its just that those who really want to get out there and sail places seem to use Roverhis approach and embrace the simple and elegant solutions.

It seems you also have a difficult time understanding my expressed interest in the thread. I was not asking for any sort of "solution" whatsoever. Nor do I have any interest in your interpetation of how sail "simple and elegant". You can sail any way your heart desires, and I my friend will do the same.

[mrohr]

Sorry ,we didn't realize OP was a thought experiment.