Self steering performance with ST4000+??

[vascotx]

Would like to read some opinions regarding the performance of the autopilot Raymarin ST4000+.

I'm still reading all the equipement manuals of my new (30 years old) Van d' stadt, 11mts with 6000kg displacement.
Found out that ST4000+ works also as a wind vane steering device.

My question goes to if I need to buy just a wind direction finder and plug it to the ST4000+ display, via Seatalk or NMEA 0183 socket, to make it work, OR, should I buy the wind finder and the LCD display together and then connected it to the ST4000+?

And since I only went Autopilot steering a couple of times, could someone tell me how she performs, both in magnectic and wind steering modes?
In what weather conditions?

Thank you
Vasco

[Faster]

We have the ST4000+ on our 35', 11,500 lb boat, but with the flux compass mode only.

We find it very handy when motoring for long distances in calm conditions and for use while setting & dousing sails, as well as while preparing to dock.

It is also very helpful when my wife and I are flying the kite. During gybes she handles lines, I gybe the pole and she punches in a 10 deg course change in the middle of the maneuver. Between gybes we generally steer by hand.

Ours works best with very different tuning settings whether under power or sail - If we tune it for hull-speed powering conditions it is too lazy to correct properly under sail, and vice-versa it wanders under power. Since we like driving while under sail, we generally leave it set up for motoring situations and use it then.

[sailingdog]

If you have a Raymarine wind instrument, the ST4000 can read the data and steer via apparent wind angle. However, a real wind vane will steer without the power consumption of the autopilot and wind instruments.

It may also work with other brands of wind instruments, via the NMEA 0183 interface, but I can't guarantee that.

YMMV.

[vascotx]

well already looking info about wind vane steering.
I'm a bit worried about the power consuption too!!

Waltmur's page looks quite interesting on that matter!!

Thank you for the info!