[C38] Autohelm parts

Thu Dec 1 12:26:04 EST 2011

I did that. Thought i solved the problem. ...But my ring is in such bad shape the two halves just won't stay together well enough to make a smooth operation. Found the new actuator assembly online for $481. Ugggggggg lookn for a used one. 

Mark
C 230

On Dec 1, 2011, at 10:45 AM, "tdtron at earthlink.net" <tdtron at earthlink.net> wrote:

> 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
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Listserve mailing list
>>> Listserve at catalina38.org
>>> http://catalina38.org/mailman/listinfo/listserve_catalina38.org
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> -- 
>>> Max Soto
>>> C38 #198 ESTANCIA
>>> Puntarenas, Costa Rica
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Listserve mailing list
>>> Listserve at catalina38.org
>>> http://catalina38.org/mailman/listinfo/listserve_catalina38.org
>> 
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Listserve mailing list
> Listserve at catalina38.org
> http://catalina38.org/mailman/listinfo/listserve_catalina38.org