I have the Autohelm 4000. As this picture shows, it's working fine. Any idea how long these usually last?
Looks more like a collie than an Autohelm to me ;)
(BTW, I suspect there's a wide margin of error in predicting the failure rate and too low a quantity to be reliable.)
-----the nice Collie or the autohelm?
I would think its useful life would be determined by number of hours used and in what kind of conditions. On Lake Michigan my AH gets regular frequent duration use and periodic long duration use when cruising. It was already when installed bought the boat in 2002 and suspect it is of mid 90s vintage.----so at least 13 yrs and going strong.
good luck,
Ken
Thanks! It's actually a Border Sheltie. A mix of the two. He's my weather dog.
I talked to the Raymarine folks and they said my Autohelm doesn't have any replacement parts available; but, that it should last a good long time sailing on Lake Lanier.
Coincidentally, I have my Autohelm 4000 at home and just took it apart tonight, as yesterday when out for a sail it would not power up. I found the cord's double prong plug inside had pulled off. Hopefully that is it.
Otherwise its been great...its a 1990 vintage.
I understand there is a 4000 upgrade or replacement.
Hawk
I had the original black control head 4000. It was working great up until the day it died. Cause was water in the control head. Could not tell if it came in from the buttons or around the seam in the case. Repair parts for the 4000 are getting hard to find. Recommend keeping the cover on as much a possible.
That's the one that I have. It's circa 1988. Works fine. I have yet to master the auto-tack function. I get the boat around; but, am too busy trimming sheets to notice that the sails are now back winded etc. Will get better with time ... I hope.
The auto tack function goes 100 degrees. That is NOT enough to tack a C34. What we do is hit the auto tack feature and then add another 10 or 20 degrees depending on how hard the wind is blowing (harder, more). Then get set on the new course and trim up.
The key to using the autotack is to head up as close to the wind as possible before initiating the autotack. If you're backwinding after the auto tack, you are not close enough to the wind before the tack.
I had a failure of the clutch assembly of my 4000 a while ago.
See this thread for the DIY repair procedure.
http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4443.0.html
Other than that, my 1992 vintage unit has been very reliable.
Roland Gendreau
Gratitude #1183
Roland, of course, is correct. I had assumed (and you know where THAT gets you!) that you were already closehauled when you engaged the auto tack. That's what the manual says to do!
Quote from: Stu Jackson on February 23, 2009, 11:03:20 AM
Roland, of course, is correct. I had assumed (and you know where THAT gets you!) that you were already closehauled when you engaged the auto tack. That's what the manual says to do!
You know, Stu, that this board will live on in perpetuity, and you've just committed the cardinal sin of manhood: you admitted to reading the manual!
Stu,
Auto-tack....??...and you led me to believe your singlehanded prowess was due to your elliptical rudder. I have the Autohelm 4000 in my car and can't wait to plug it in and engage my first auto tack. If this really works (and I just printed off the Manual from Raymarine's site), then with the traveler upgrade lines led aft, I may put off eliptical rudders indefinitely. (:
Boy, the things a guy can pick up on this web site.......................
Hawk
Guys - I didn't have to use the Auto-tack function of my wheelpilot last Friday. I just invited a C34 officer to come sailing with me and I got along just fine. That $45 for two years just paid for itself!
Craig
Do you know if Jack is available for east coast crewing as well? I bet his C34IA T&E budget would cover the travel expenses and then some :thumb:
Jon - Nah, I think Ruthie has him on a pretty short leash.
:(
Craig
Quote from: Craig Illman on February 23, 2009, 02:48:28 PM
Jon - Nah, I think Ruthie has him on a pretty short leash.
:(
Craig
I think you just lost your crew :cry4`
Quote from: Hawk on February 23, 2009, 12:51:54 PM
Stu,
Auto-tack....??...and you led me to believe your singlehanded prowess was due to your elliptical rudder.
Boy, the things a guy can pick up on this web site.......................
Yup, we can learn a lot from each other.
Nope, don't have an elliptical rudder, that was the
other guy! :D
.....oops you're right. So how does your old non-elliptical rudder work for you?
Craig knows I'll jump on a boat anytime I'm asked... I'm inexpensive crew :D Jon, I will be out as soon as my C34IA T&E expense check arrives... think it might be lost in the mail. Otherwise I will be out when the military transfers my daughter and son in law back East next year. I'll come a knocking to see what East Coast sailing is like. :thumb:
Jack
Quote from: Jack Hutteball on February 23, 2009, 08:51:50 PM
I'll come a knocking to see what East Coast sailing is like. :thumb:
You and every other bona fide C34IA member is always welcome to experience the best sailing in the world off the east end of Long Island aboard the Atlantic Rose. She's in the water from March 1 to Dec 15 every year. The cockpit isn't very crowded in December or March :cry4`
Quote from: Hawk on February 23, 2009, 06:31:04 PM
.....oops you're right. So how does your old non-elliptical rudder work for you?
Doh, read the earlier posts...
Lance - This has nothing to do with the autothelm (although mine kicks out for no known reason) This has to do with the sern pulpit seats in the picture (by the way, good looking pooch). It looks like you have a rectangular grill in the same area. Does this present any comfrot prolems? I have a Magna grill that look about the same, but hangs into the cockpit slightly.
I discussed this yesterday with Ed by phone. Welcome aboard, Ed! :clap
Our initial conclusion was to check the voltage, and perhaps require new power leads to the autopilot.
Quote from: Stu Jackson on March 10, 2009, 12:44:34 PM
I discussed this yesterday with Ed by phone.
Wow, Stu, you're doing member care over the phone now??? We really need to increase membership dues and chip in for your phone bill :thumb:
Quote from: Jon Schneider on March 10, 2009, 12:46:35 PMWow, Stu, you're doing member care over the phone now??? We really need to increase membership dues and chip in for your phone bill
Yes, Jon, always have, always will be glad to, either by phone, PM or email. No charge to anyone - I love talking boats, especially the C34! :thumb:
Phone is great, 'cuz I get to meet a whole bunch of really nice folks.
PM and email limits discussion here on the board, but many times I cut & paste pertinent comments for all to share.