[Lanealoha]

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....

 

[Lanealoha]

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.........

 

[Lanealoha]

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