The Raymarine S1000 that looks like an Autopilot

[Kern O]

This is worth repeating here:

Two years after I installed it, the S1000 has a date with the trash can. The only thing good about it was the initial price and ease of installation.

Here's the not so nice part. From day one, it would be working just fine and completely drop out and go to standby. There it would remain until you powered it off and re-booted it. I returned the module three times for that problem. It's most favorite trick was to go hard over if you engaged it with the boat just a little off the intended course. That problem will eventually kill or injure someone. Lastly, there's the frustration of dealing with the entire system through a hand held remote. Punch in a command, get nothing. Do it again and again. Have it say "No link". Or, your running along and need to miss something in the water. Quick, grab the remote and push the buttons and pray.

It has been a continuing, frustrating battle. Finally the pump melted down with hydraulic fluid coming out of the main motor housing. Enough is enough. In the final analysis, it was a waste of money. Buy a real one instead.

Kern O.

[Boondocks]

Thanks for the heads up. I'm looking at adding AP and that was one I was looking at. I have the Seastar HH5741 hydraulic steering pump and does anybody know what AP will work with this?

[Kern O]

The 5741 Helm will work with virtually all the small autopilots. SeaStar helms come in three displacements, with the 5741 being the smallest of them at 1.7 cu. in. They also make them in 2.0 and 2.4. The larger the displacement, the more quickly the engine or rudder turns, but the higher the steering effort is as well. If the 5741 seems slow to respond, you could go to a larger helm, but it will be harder to steer.

I prefer, when possible to discard the SeaStar cylinder at the motor. The SeaStars mount through the tilt tube and slide back and forth with the motor. They also twist as they move. The Hynautic K-6 mounts solidly and does not move, so the hoses aren't constantly flexing. The problem is that when SeaStar (Teleflex) bought Morse (Hynautic), they discontinued the Morse and Hynautic lines. But strangely enough, they still seem to sell the K-6 in Canada.

[Boondocks]

Thanks for the info Kern! You answered all my questions.