Simrad vs. Ray Marine under-deck autopilots?

Pub911 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-17-2008

Some say Simrad's hydraulic cylinders are less likely to fail vs. gear-driven units like the ones Raytheon and others make. I'm considering Simrad AP16 with the HLD350 drive unit. Any comments on the statement or on Simrad products in general?

artbyjody · #2 (**permalink**) 01-17-2008

I have an older Simrad unit (WP series) - but it has been pretty rock solid and if I ever upgrade I would probably stick with the brand. Their customer support is pretty top notch as well, and asking a tech question concerning - out of warranty - equipment is handled with no problems.

camaraderie · #3 (**permalink**) 01-17-2008

I'm one of those who agrees with the statement having cruised with both! Your choice is a good one for your boat and LIS.

Maine Sail · #4 (**permalink**) 01-17-2008

I've owned both brands in (below deck units) and they both performed well and both had no problems.

The Raymarine did do slightly better down wind but all the newer units perform so much better these days than my older units that I bet it's apples to apples these days performance wise..

On my current boat I have a Raymarine S1 wheel pilot and it actually out steers both of my older units by a good margin but this is due to the newer computer chips and more sensors like the rudder position sensor. Below deck units are also more robust than WP's!!

Raymarine has come a long way with their tech support in recent years compared to how bad they used to be and Simrad has never been bad and remained more consistent IMHO...

gc1111 · #5 (**permalink**) 01-17-2008

My experience with the Simrad HLD drive unit has been that it needs rebuilding every second or third year. And the customer service on Long Island, NY is as poor as any marine outfit I have had contact with. Their expense for a rebuild would buy another drive unit. I am seriously considering converting to a mechanical unit.

Valiente · #6 (**permalink**) 01-17-2008

Consider ComNav and W-H as alternatives worthy of comparision.

Hydraulic is definitely the best course, but is not always necessary depending on the stresses involved and the type of sailing you do. I have hydraulic steering (Marol, a commercial marine make), using a rotary actuator, and I love its ease of use and "force multiplying" attributes...plus the fact that hydraulics are considerably more space-saving in certain situations.

http://www.marolmarine.com/products_1.html#b

http://www.comnavmarine.com/

http://www.whautopilots.com/products/index.html

haffiman37 · #7 (**permalink**) 01-17-2008

I have a Raymarine unit in Haffiman controled by a 150G computer and have been very impressed by it.So far 20.000Nm without any problems. The only 'negative' might be the noise as it is mounted on the bulkhead in one of the aft cabins.
In general I would say:
If You have a hydralic steering system, go for hydraulic autopilot system.
If You have the 'normal' mechanical pedestall, (chain/wire) the mechanical would be my choise.

teshannon · #8 (**permalink**) 01-17-2008

Haff,
Why would you not recommend a hydraulic drive unit on a mechanical steering system?

haffiman37 · #9 (**permalink**) 01-17-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by teshannon

Haff,
Why would you not recommend a hydraulic drive unit on a mechanical steering system?

If a mechanical system You are 'dragging' along with the hydraulic cylinder and an oil volume using it to force the oil the oil through the system (pump) backwards. If a normal hydraulic steering same cylinder is used both manual and by auto and pressure on seals etc are the way intended.
On the mechanical actuator You are just pushing a rod in and out, the clutch system keeps it 'free' and hardly any resistance is added in the system. No risk of oil-leak.
But this is just my 'opinion' and was mainly why I chose my system set up. The way my bulkhead was relative to the quadrant and space available I chose the mechanical solution and it was a rather simple installation. The size of the mechanical unit is quite big compared to a simple cylinder, and this may come into play as well.
Most things in a boat is a compromise, there are no rules without exceptions.

camaraderie · #10 (**permalink**) 01-17-2008

Haff...we are talking about the HLD350 here which is a self contained hydraulic pump driving a piston as opposed to a self contained electric pump driving a screw mechanism. Oil leaks are reasonably easily repaired and re-filling is quite easy. On the other hand if your circuit board blows or the threads get stripped on the Ray unit...the rebuild cost is almost as much as a new one. I disagree...having used both AND experienced the speed and power of the hydraulic unit in tough sea conditions. This is what I am talking about:

Versus This:

Are we talking about the same thing?