Autohelm ST4000 interchangability with RayMarine?

I've got an Autohelm ST4000 that does not work. Job one will be to isolate the problem - simple things like blown fuse, to hard things like bad controller board, etc., etc.

I really do like the concept of the wheel pilot, and think that's the way I want to go forward. My understanding is that Autohelm was taken over by Raymarine - so the question is - does anyone have any knowledge of whether the ST4000 has any interchangeability with current Raymarine products? If so, what?

Raymarine rates their wheel pilot as applicable for boats up to 16,000-ish pounds. That puts it right on the edge for our IP32. Anybody have experience w/ the wheel pilot on a 32?

All conversation appreciated. TIA

PlumBob

we had a non-operative ST4000 on our boat when purchased, we knew that going in. BUT........what I didn't know is alternatives. I will tell you that the ST4000 has a serious problem with water intrusion. No matter what the manual says, that keypad is NOT water proof (I had ours apart multiple times). So, if your control head was like ours, no suncover, it is very likely that you got water into the circuit board. As far as troubleshooting, ours was not dead-dead, but would immediately take control of the wheel and go hard starboard (like right to the wheel stop) when powered up.

Raymarine will be no help to you. The factory rep told me that they do not support the ST4000 any longer and do not supply parts, they would not troubleshoot ours or repair it. He then hung up the phone without saying another word. I found one on eBay for $20 for spares and attempted to repair ours. Specifically, a pin holding one of the capacitors to the board had rusted through so I replaced it. No change. I eventually found another that was working and just replaced the entire unit.

I don't know what to say as this was my first experience with Raymarine. Based on it I swore to never give them any business again, but that's only my feeling.

PlumBob,

My two cents -

Most Autohelm/Raymarine SeaTalk systems have interchangeable components. All the old Autohelm/Raymarine manuals and tech data are available on their website. Downloadable in PDF. Fluxgate compass autopilot controls,and rudder reference units use the seatalk interface. Instruments up thru ST60 should work on the SeaTalk bus.

Like all equipment selection for the boat(and most choices in life)) the question is what are you planning to do? The wheel pilot will be at its design marginal because your IP 32 when loaded will be north of 20,000lbs. You can cheat a little with the weight on an IP because it tracks so well in a seaway. But don't kid your self, a Raymarine wheel pilot will be at the edge of its capability.

An autopilot is nice on s sunny afternoon day sail, and you can get along without it if it dies. But when the wx gets nasty and you or your crew are sick the autopilot can be a safety item. You want a correctly sized and installed autopilot that will sail down wind in big seas at 35+knots, so a short handed crew can manage the boat.

We were very happy with a below deck Raymarine AP on our 350 for 15,000nm. This is a boat not much different than a 31/32. I assumed that Island Packet met their dry weight design, but when I added stores, crew, liquids, spares, equipment, it was 24k, and that's assuming that the design weight was met.

One person's Opinion,

George
S/V Delicia

I installed the ST4000 on my IP35 over 20 years ago and have never had a problem. It needs to be replaced but it has served me well, including 2 gulf crossings (heavily laden) and many offshore trips, some in heavy weather. No problem with water intrusion on my control pad. I will replace it with the newer RayMarine model. Even though the ST4000 and the newer RayMarine model rate the units for around 16,500# displacement, I have found it is more than adequate for the IP35 undoubtedly because it tracks so well with the full keel.

Glenn
Wanderer