have you considered the CPT auto pilot since you're considering going wheel pilot style? I currently have a Raymarine wheel pilot, its giving me issues, but I think that its just overworked, if my boat is fully loaded its above the weight of what RM rates the wheel pilot for....CPT rated much higher and doesn't call for all the other sensors and displays etc....

 

I've not considered the CPT.

Maybe I should.

 

Lots of experience with both, and currently have orders out with both. Both are excellent. Hodges has free shipping, and is usually a bit faster than Defender.

Mark

 

Use both and have been pleased with both. Defender had a few hiccups for a couple months last year following an ownership change, but has been back to its reliable self since.

 

Have ordered from both and they are both reliable. Defender does have free shipping over $99.

 

I just removed a Raymarine and installed the CPT. Fairly easy and straightforward job.

I've not had a chance to give the CPT a serious test, i.e, in heavy winds, following or otherwise. But so far I can say I like it.

And it is definitely much quieter than a Raymarine.

There are many testimonials and videos on YouTube - including mine ! LOL

 

In fact, I should add that I will be selling the Raymarine. The drive unit is not good, it slips under heavy load, but a new one can be easily bought for around $600.

I will probably ask $400 plus shipping for the rest of the unit. I just have to remove the control head, which I am doing this weekend.

 

New drive belt.

 

I’ve used Defender and have always been pleased with them. I’m in the midst of a fairly big order with them right now (new chain). So far, it’s been good, but I’m awaiting delivery.

 

I use Defender all the time. Being one state away, I often receive delivery next day, even with ground selected. Two days max. Their pricing is not as certain to be the best, since their ownership change, but often is.

 

Since I drifted up thread about type of auto pilot, I'll answer the question. I've used both, and found that defenders shipping is questionable.

I ordered a new belt and 'eccentric' repair kit for said Raymarine wheel pilot so that I could repair mine while I went to Mexico for 3 weeks last month. I ordered the 'kit' 3 weeks before I left so that I would have plenty of time to receive without paying for additional shipping. Defender must have hit the 'take as long as you like' option on UPS because it arrived about 2 days before I had to leave and the worse part the 'kit' was actually only 1/2 a 'kit'. what I needed was 2 'kits' to complete 1 job.....would've been nice to know that too......so my complaint with them is that their shipping is not as good to Ca as it is if you live in a neighboring state apparently and the description of items is so-so...Also I don't understand why it needed to go in a shoe box size shipping container when it could have easily been thrown in an USPS envelope and sent via regular mail.........

 

Some items are drop shipped from the manufacturer, so shipping can take longer than expected. This is true for many specialty items like you describe, where nobody keeps inventory of them, and the manufacturer doesn't make them in the quantities for distribution.

Mark

 

I've had nothing but good experiences with Defender.

 

I've placed quite a few orders from Defender with no issues.

I don't like my Raymarine wheel pilot (it came with the boat)

 

I don't like my Raymarine wheel pilot (it came with the boat)

What issues?

 

I have had good experiences from both companies. I ordered a Kuuma water through Hodges that was defective and they made me deal directly with the manufacturer. It was not a problem, but just know that they pointed their finger at the manufacturer rather than handle the warranty exchange themselves.

 

I bought a ton of things through Defender over the years. Prices seem to have creeped up to where West Marine prices and stock are sometimes better, however I still prefer Defender overall for things.

I know nothing about the CPT, but the raymarine wheelpilot I installed on my C&C 32, and I felt like it was a good addition to the boat. Mind you I sail an inland lake. I never found the device loud, or inadequate however.

 

Hodges has become one of my favorite marine stores.

 

Chain is moving along towards me. Customer service with Defender has been outstanding after an initial glitch which actually worked in my favour. They made a mistake in the shipping quote, but stood by their commitment, and are now eating the cost of shipping 250’ of 3/8” chain to me in Newfoundland from Connecticut. Gotta love a company that does what it says it will do, even when it’s costing them over $400.

 

I have an old (Autohelm 4000) wheel pilot on my 11,000 lb Cal 33-2. Not sure if it's original to when the boat was new, but I have gotten 15 years of service out of it. My experience with autopilots is that you have to balance the helm as best you can. Too much weather helm is going to cause problems. I keep on eye on the wheel position and if I see it is cranking on too much rudder angle to maintain the course I know it is time to do some sail trim.

 

Jdege what boat do you have? I have a Catalina 36, dry weight is listed at 16,000lbs, which I believe is the max weight that the Raymarine wheel pilot is 'rated' for ....when I have my boat loaded for cruising its well above that, even at survey when I bought her it weighed in at 17500, now with a wind vane, dinghy, outboard, full water tanks , water maker, life raft etc...I'm well beyond that so I think its just way over worked. I'll be buying the CPT really soon, even a spare belt is a 3rd the price of a ray marine belt for their wheel pilot.....and I like the idea of something quieter as well

 

From what I'm reading, the CPT is more robust.

Jdege what boat do you have? I have a Catalina 36, dry weight is listed at 16,000lbs, which I believe is the max weight that the Raymarine wheel pilot is 'rated' for ....

Mine is a Vaitses/Herreshoff Meadowlark. A 37' shallow draft ketch.

It's built something like a Sharpie - 8' beam and only 20" draft with the boards up. (Boards plural, it has leeboards.}

Empty weight is 12,000 pounds. So the Raymarine should work.

 

I’ve got an autohe ST4000 wheel drive autopilot. Came off a Cal 36 a month ago in working condition. I’m looking for $450 plus any shipping. I’m in CT. 203.494.1129

I have an old (Autohelm 4000) wheel pilot on my 11,000 lb Cal 33-2. Not sure if it's original to when the boat was new, but I have gotten 15 years of service out of it. My experience with autopilots is that you have to balance the helm as best you can. Too much weather helm is going to cause problems. I keep on eye on the wheel position and if I see it is cranking on too much rudder angle to maintain the course I know it is time to do some sail trim.

I’ve got an Autohelm ST4000 that came off a cal 36 a month ago I’m working condition. Looking for $450 plus shipping. I’m in Branford,
CT

 

I think that you’ll find both good to deal with.

 

I use Defender whenever they have the item because their prices can’t be beaten. And their customer service and support is amazing. I prefer them to West Marine.

 

While Defender is not the most expensive, their prices are usually easily beaten. A lot of the times by Hodges, and Hodges has free shipping on everything, not just above $99. I've used both many, many times, and they both have good customer service and support.

Mark

 

I recently bought equipment from defender Marine and Hodges Marine both were equally good and 2 to 3 day shipping

 

To follow up on my little chain-purchasing saga, after much research I ordered new chain (250' 3/8" BBB, galvanized) from Defender.ca. They had a competitive price for ACCO chain, and would ship it to me here in a somewhat remote part of Newfoundland in a reasonable time.

Although Defender has a Free Shipping policy for orders over $100, they had a little * beside it, indicating that this did not apply to unusual or large/heavy items. I assumed this would mean I'd have to pay for shipping. Fine, seems reasonable. However, when I inquired about shipping costs, I was told it was free.

"Are you sure," says I? Yup. Confirmed with an official quote. So I ordered.

Turns out the customer service person at Defender made a mistake. Chain is not shipped free. But because I had been given a formal quote, Defender stuck to it, and agreed to send the chain to me here for free. They swallowed the $400 shipping cost.

Defender has impressed me in the past for their excellent customer service, as well as their prices. But by accepting their own mistake, even though it cost them $400, makes me even more impressed.

P.S. They've since fixed the glitch on their website, so chain does not qualify for free shipping -- sorry

.

 

Love Hodges and defender either way is good

 

FWIW... have heard much good about the CPT unit, and for 20 years we have learned to live with noise and squeaking from our Raymarine (and before that, our previous Autohelm) wheel drive units. Our boat is light enough and our seas are benign enough that it has adequate oomph to handle the boat. Before going further offshore I might change to the CPT unit.
As for shipping, I have had excellent experiences with Fisheries, out of Seattle.
Nothing against East coast vendors, but nowadays air freight has greatly shrunk the nation when it comes to delivery time.
(Lame attempt at humor: if McMaster Carr carried boat parts, life would be near perfect! )