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It has been a very long project, but Sunday I declared the project complete. I installed a Simrad AP24 autopilot with a Jefa DD-15 drive motor below decks. It was quite the project as I had to build a mount for the motor. Did I mention I am not a carpenter? Well, after the fourth version I came up with a satisfactory mount and got it all installed and communicating. This system utilizes network communications and integrates with the autopilot. Now, I was not even going to integrate the two, since I was never that interested in making routes and having the AP follow along. I always thought that was a making for a grounding at the most inopportune time.
Well, as I read all the things this AP can do, one of them is adjusting settings based on the speed of the boat, so at slower speeds the helm will move more to maintain the heading, while when you are up to speed, the helm moves less thus reducing over steering.
My friend Mike and I went to sea for a sea trial. After calibrating the flux gate compass and auto-tuning the system, I put it through its paces. Performing tacks put us right on a new course without wavering or hunting around until settled. It just made the turn and put us on a new course like we were on rails. I am quite impressed and happy.
Of course motoring and sailing are two completely different animals. Right now I can only hope it will track as nicely under sail.
So, my big winter project is over. Now it is on to spring commissioning work. Will haul out for bottom painting, waxing and zinc replacements.
Congratulations on the new installation. I did this last year it has really made a difference. I find the autopilot can steer a lot better than I can most of the time. Last year when we left the rendezvous the autopilot steered all the way from Solomons to the entrance to the Piankatank river without my ever haveing to touch the wheel. There was no wind so we were motoring. I have had good results when there is wind setting the AP to sail by the wind angle as well as by a compass course. Sure makes life easy. Hope you will be able to make it to the Rendezvous this year. Enjoy your AP and look forward to meeting you this season.
Bob S.
S/V “Aequanimitas”
D36It is in the plans to do the rendezvous this year. It will be the first for me. After that, I am hoping to get up to Annapolis for a new days and then head back to Hampton.
All my other instruments are old Data Marine, so no further integrations for the time being. Just can’t justify spending lots more money to replace things that are working fine.
I think the next big project will be the haul out and bottom painting, hull polishing and waxing. I did the compounding and waxing while the boat was in the water last year, and that was hard work. Going to avoid that this time around.
This AP is much better than the wheel pilot I had before. No noise and, at least motoring, it holds a very steady course. The only time I saw the wheel moving much was when I was going across the current near the HRBT and if I was hand steering, I would have been moving the wheel that much too.
Look forward to meeting you too.
Steve
Congrats Steve!
Big project! You might remember that I replaced my underdeck linear actuator a couple of winters ago. Not much room to work under there. I must admit that my Simrad system does a little too much “wandering” for me while under sail and trying to maintain apparent wind angle—but no matter, it’s still great.
So you beat me out this year. Just picked up my sails from the loft—should actually have a Dickerson logo this year. (I haven’t seen it yet–so who knows.)
Really looking forward to a great year and particularly the Rendezvous. We’ll sail up and pick up Bob in the Piankatank. Come to think about it, a couple of years ago I almost went aground doing a compass calibration up there.
See you soon,
BarryTime will tell if it holds a really good course under sail. I might get out for a sail this weekend if there is any wind. Temps look good so far. I think I am going to hold off on teak stuff until the pollen season ends. Struggled with it last year, but wanted to get it done.
What were your destinations going up to Oxford last year? I’m thinking of leaving the Wednesday before to get there.
We went from Deltaville to Reedville on Tuesday. Met Barry Creighton and his group there for a shor visit. Wednesday we went from Reedville to Solomons. Very rough day. We laid over in Solomons for a day and left Friday morning for Oxford. My wife tends toward seasickness if the bay is too rough so I allow plenty of time so the trip is more pleasant for her. Coming back we went from Oxford to Solomons the first day and from Solomons to Deltaville the second day. That was about a nine hour day but a great day to be on the bay.
Bob S.
Hi Steve,
As Bob hints, the weather last year was pretty challenging–“she came up a couple of good blows”. My schedule is a bit boxed in owing to the availabilty of friends/crew who fly up from FL to go with us each year. Last year we left on Tuesday, and as Bob says, we made it all the way to Mill Creek on the Wicomico to meet up with Bob and Sarah–wonderful time on the hook. Wednesday, we pounded to windward and made it to the Tred Avon–a long day–another night on the hook. Thursday then became a “cushion day” so we went up the Choptank to the Cambridge Marina (our home town). Spent the night there seeing family, then back down the Choptank on Friday to join up a flotilla inbound to Oxford.
We left early Sunday morning dead into a strong westerly and seas. Turning south, we were the only boat on the Bay—-but we were hauling! Whatever hull speed is–we were beating it. Made it back to Mill Creek easily, then a nice long day back to Hampton Roads.
So each way can be done in two long days (all daylight)–but I would sure like to take some more time and smell the seaweed.
Getting pumped. Hope to get the sails back on Saturday. Give me a hail if you make it out.
Barry
With time off and distance to travel, I am thinking of leaving on a Wednesday and getting in Oxford Friday. Then leaving Sunday and sailing up to Annapolis for two days and then make my way back south and maybe going down the eastern shore with a few stops and Mobjack Bay before my return the following Sunday. Hoping the weather will be better since it was so bad last year.
Does not look like there will be much wind for Saturday but it is early in the forecast.
Hello all:
My 83 37 ketch has a Raymarine AP on it that never really tracked well in heavy wind. I spoke to a Raymarine Factory Rep at a recent boat event and he felt that a rudder postion sensor was needed to properly correct the units handling. He was gracious enough to mail me a complete unit for FREE, a rare thing these days.. Seems they now include this unit in with all newer AP.
Anyway, the question I have pertains to the installation. Has anyone mounted such a sensor on thier Ketch? If so, how was it done? As we know the D’s use a quadrant on the rudder post. Any pix of the intstall would be very helpful and worth more than words..LOL
Thanks
Jon Boub
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