[C38] Autohelm parts

Thu Dec 1 10:45:39 EST 2011

Hello Mark,

The earlier ST4000 wheel rings had very weak plastic pinion mounts that
were prone to breakage.  Mine broke and I was informed that the cost of a
new ring assembly would be high enough to declare my boat a total loss. 
(exaggeration)

I carefully drilled out the plastic pinion gear mounts and replaced them
with stainless bolts and lived happily ever after.

It was about 10 yrs ago so my memory isn't clear of the procedure and I did
not document or photograph the repair but whatever I did, it worked well
and at almost no expense.

Tom Troncalli

> [Original Message]
> From: MB Contact <mixedbusinesscontact at gmail.com>
> To: Catalina 38 Listserve <listserve at catalina38.org>
> Cc: Catalina 38 Listserve <listserve at catalina38.org>
> Date: 12/1/2011 8:09:13 AM
> Subject: Re: [C38] Autohelm parts
>
> Hey all...
>
> Speaking of auto helms .... Does any one have any Autohelm ST4000 parts?
My wheel drive actuator went up. Well, it started slipping, and then in a
blow one of the internal roller ring posts snapped off and caused one of
the rollers to rattle around inside the wheel ring unit...basically
disabling my steering completely. (was fun pulling the ring and the wheel
off to ditch the whole thing while underway!) anyway, my control head and
power supply work just fine..., and up till about 10mins ago the actuator
motor did too (stupid me pulled the motor off the ring only to see the
internal gears go flying...guess I can put that back together)... but my
wheel drive actuator is beyond repair. so I'm looking for a wheel drive
actuator ring, either with a motor, or with out.
>
> Anyone got a box of parts laying around? Or know where I might find one?
Do I really have to get a whole new system?
>
> Mark
> Momentous #230
>
> Oh yea btw... Found a nice canvas guy in Baltimore that just did a custom
dodger for me, and is working on a complete bikini and connector too. Good
price, very accommodating guy. Charm City marine Canvas. Thought I'd pass
it along.
>
> Hey Phil Gay... A big thanks to you for sending me pics of your dodger...
They helped me design mine. Pic attached.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
> On Nov 30, 2011, at 2:23 PM, Max Soto <maxsoto at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >  I have the Type 1 (12in stroke), so as Davd pointed out,  a small
modification might be needed to the rudder stops, in order to make it work,
but not that big of a project.....
> > I was planning to install it directly to the radial wheel, with only a
8" radius instead of the 10" tiller arm, but still it should work.. I hope!
> >  This unit came with  a complete Autohelm ST6000 autopilot, but is that
old  (around 20years), that is not NMEA compatible, and that's why I want
to remove the wheel pitlot assembly and install it with the ST4000+
display. Despite what RM support said, now I find it really hard to make it
work like this, but I'll give it a try. As Tom said, the wheel pilot is
very easy for connections and maintenance, but despite the patented
Troncalli's shock cord solution (which BTW works great most of the time!!),
the wheel pilot slips when the wind is blowing hard and the weatherhelm
increases...... So the linear drive should be more reliable...
> >  I've heard great comments about the Nexus and Simrad/ Robertson, but
because of the price, they are out of the question. If I don't make the
linear drive work, I'll stick with the wheel pilot, or maybe I'll just
install both autopilots, hopefully, the new 20 years old ST6000 might work
and I'll have a very good back up.
> > 
> > Have someone installed any brand of drive unit directly to the radial
wheel??? Edson used to reccomed it, but  years ago, they changed their
mind, started reccommending the tiller arms that they started producing.
> > 
> > Regards,
> > Max
> > 
> > 2011/11/29 David Epstein <davidepstein at earthlink.net>
> > Max,
> > 
> > Do you know if it is a Type 1 (12 in stroke) or a Type1L (16 in
stroke)?  If it is a Type 1, my notes indicate that it rated for up to a
22,000 lb boat, requires a 10" tiller arm, and it has a maximum of +/-35
degrees of rudder travel.   The 1L is good up to 33,000 lbs, requires a 16"
tiller arm as is also limited to +/-35 degrees.
> > 
> > SuperStar's rudder has about 90 degrees of travel (+/-45), so if your
boat has similar range, you may have to modify your stops on each side so
that you don't have a problem when the linear drive is in bypass.  I would
think you could be able to make the Raymarine unit work on a 38.
> > 
> > When I did my research, I concluded that the absolute best solution for
SuperStar would be the Nexus/ComNav HP-40 integrated linear drive (or the
AP-23 with a separate pump), as it is fast, powerful and has up to +/-50
degrees of travel with the specified tiller arm length.  I have not yet
purchased a Nexus drive unit, so I can't tell you about any firsthand
results...
> > 
> > David Epstein
> > SuperStar, #122
> > Marina del Rey, CA
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > At 12:23 PM 11/29/2011, you wrote:
> >> I got a new one of this for free, and according to Raymarine Support, 
it can be installed with my ST400+ wheel pilot display.
> >> 
> >> Does anyone has installed one of this below deck drives on a C38 ?? If
so, any installation pics or recommendations will be appreciated!
> >> 
> >> Regards, 
> >> 
> >> -- 
> >> Max Soto
> >> C38 #198 ESTANCIA
> >> Puntarenas, Costa Rica
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> Listserve mailing list
> >> Listserve at catalina38.org
> >> http://catalina38.org/mailman/listinfo/listserve_catalina38.org
> > 
> > _______________________________________________
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> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > -- 
> > Max Soto
> > C38 #198 ESTANCIA
> > Puntarenas, Costa Rica
> > _______________________________________________
> > Listserve mailing list
> > Listserve at catalina38.org
> > http://catalina38.org/mailman/listinfo/listserve_catalina38.org
>