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BOAT wrote:BWY has the grab handle - Gail has tried to sell it to me three times already but I stalled every time because I wanted a handle that goes all the way into the floor. My hope was to someday have a grab handle around the wheelhouse that was SO strong that I could hook my mainsheet block to it on days that I am sailing alone. As I eventualy found out and you all already know that is quite impossible on the M model because 30% of all the forward sail force is in the mainsheet block and it will tear the wheelhouse right out of the cockpit in a storm or even a bad jibe.

You are a most eccentric Mac sailor aren't you?
The older X had just what you are describing. Mainsheet attached to the ped via a "handle". Macgregor did away with that in favor of the traveler. Quite frankly, I have never had a problem using the traveler single handed. On the contrary, I would think the sheet attached to the ped would be in my face and hard to yank free in a hurry. But I've not seen it operate in person.
I drape the main sheet over the throttle. Yank it free quickly if I need to, pull it tighter. Besides being in the way of the companionway, I really like the setup.

BTW, I love that grab handle. Use it constantly and was sure I'd yank it off many times. It held strong. I would bet it would hold a main sheet, but I wouldn't do that. It is another BWY addition that I can't imagine not having.

I guess it's gonna be another one of those "I told you so" phone callse with Gail on the grab handle - they have one that's easy to install. (But be warned Gail, I'm not giving up my bolted main for nothin!! NO SLUGS on my boat!) She keeps trying to get me to use slugs. I HATE slugs.

No slugs for you. I bet she knows you by now. I know you are a purest about the bolt rope. Not for me, I'll trade it for convenience.

Anyways - it sounds like the 4 inch model works good but if you want to spend the money the 5 inch model is the way to go? Have I got that right?

Don't know about the 4" model. But the latest Garmin models (541S) fit quite nicely on the ped and as mentioned, like a dashboard.

Thanks for the tip John, I will check that out.

Have a look at

http://www.activecaptain.com

It looks like a good option to get information in an unfamiliar area. Links up to Homeport and Bluechart mobile.

Yes indeed Captain Russ, I think the 5 inch model is the way to go with the BWY grab handle. I am right now shopping on the internet for a Garmin 541s? 561s? 521s? (Still trying to work that part out) and getting prices. Gail is out monday - I'll have to call her on tuesday. Then I need to get all the cables that Captain mstreb told me to get.

Thanks all– input much appreciated!

I'm also considering the integration of the display with autopilot (autotiller) control (so, Raymarine), so my field of choice is considerably narrowed by that “want”. Autopilots I've seen have their own separate small square display and controller, which requires additional space on an already space-limited Mac. So it would be very practical (and maybe economically neutral?) to have that functionality in one unit.

Does anybody here that has an autopilot have a controller that is integrated as part of their display?

And also, which Ray marine model should we be looking at?

Good question BOAT - it's complicated! - no knowledgable dealers near me. Looks like The SP-5 wheelpilot uses the old NMEA 0183 language so adaptors might take care of that, but there will also be NMEA 2000 data going in from the motor. Maybe the e7 MFD?

Every spring (if it doesn't get installed at the beginning of the season, it doesn't get installed) I run into this, and taking the wrong advise can be big $ costly, so I end up chickening out and buying nothing going into the season. But every year the components on the market do get updated.

And I don't think it's possible to get lost in my sailing area to date, Lake Erie, even in fog without GPS, so I really don't NEED anything yet.

Well, true, getting lost is not the thing but have auto pilot is a huge thing. Crossing the Gulf of Santa Catalina from down here where I am is 46 miles and that's a lot of time on the helm. Also, it would be real nice to have an autopilot to help me steer the boat while I'm on deck tending a sail or somthing. It just makes things eiser. I don't plan to run an autopilot for more than a couple hours at a time at the longest. Just enough to eat food, take a potty break, tend sails, you know: "stuff".

One thing I don't like is the big ugly bagel wrapped around the wheel - I would rather not have one of those - and the tiller pilot belowdecks is okay but it uses a huge amount of battery power. We really need an autopilot that can go discreetly in or on the wheelhouse with a minimum of clutter. I have looked and I can't find one.

JohnCFI wrote: If only I could connect my on-board Laptop to NMEA2000 and use it as an intelligent system.'

NMEA 2000 - USB PC Interface cable: http://www.imarineusa.com/actisensengt- ... QgodPRYAeg

NMEA 2000 - USB PC Interface unit (permanently installable) http://www.maretron.com/products/usb100.php

Check your PC chartplotter application for compatibility. Both are relatively inexpensive. I'm waiting for a native NMEA 2000 - WIFI bridge and iPad apps with compatibility before I jump in, because I don't use a PC onboard.

BOAT wrote:We really need an autopilot that can go discreetly in or on the wheelhouse with a minimum of clutter. I have looked and I can't find one.

Smallest autopilot effective for a Mac: http://www.starmarinedepot.com/Raymarin ... +p70R.html
Integrates well with any NMEA 2000 chartplotter.

Also, a forum member Vik Maynard (vkmaynard) here has custom produced an autopilot that is inside the helm. You'll want to contact him about status.

BOAT wrote:Yes indeed Captain Russ, I think the 5 inch model is the way to go with the BWY grab handle. I am right now shopping on the internet for a Garmin 541s? 561s? 521s? (Still trying to work that part out) and getting prices. Gail is out monday - I'll have to call her on tuesday. Then I need to get all the cables that Captain mstreb told me to get.

You want the Garmin 541s. The 500 series are all the same, differing only in the built-in chart data, and the 541 has the data for So Cal coastal waterways. The "s" indicates that it includes a stern-mounted depth transducer. $499 pretty much everywhere, and it's the complete package for your needs.

Also consider the 547xs. It's quite a bit more expensive, but its the new generation with 60% more CPU power and a better sonar/sounder.

Matt

Seeing the bottom depth seems like a really good thing, and the type of bottom too for mooring. I don't care about the fish, but I guess if a russian submarine is coming to attack me the sonar might come in handy. Okay, I'll look at the 457xs thing - that sounds good too.

Smallest autopilot effective for a Mac: http://www.starmarinedepot.com/Raymarin ... +p70R.html
Integrates well with any NMEA 2000 chartplotter.

Ah! Unlike the SPX-5, that SPX-5R is NMEA2000 compatible? The Raymarine website lists this as being for powerboats, and lists it as NMEA0183 too. But an adapter will make it cross-compatible? A step in the right direction - thanks Matt! Has anybody tried this setup on a Mac?

seahouse wrote:

Smallest autopilot effective for a Mac: http://www.starmarinedepot.com/Raymarin ... +p70R.html
Integrates well with any NMEA 2000 chartplotter.

Ah! Unlike the SPX-5, that SPX-5R is NMEA2000 compatible? The Raymarine website lists this as being for powerboats, and lists it as NMEA0183 too. But an adapter will make it cross-compatible? A step in the right direction - thanks Matt! Has anybody tried this setup on a Mac?

Hi Brian: The SPX-5R is SeaTalk NG compatible. SeaTalk NG is NMEA 2000. It's also NMEA 0183 compatible, and has two older SeaTalk ports (which is neither).

It's rated for boats up to 30 feet, up to 4400 lbs. displacement for mechanically steered, or 7000 lbs. for hydraulically steered. I would use it only with an outboard disconnect, as the steering on a Mac is very heavy if the outboard is up and almost certainly beyond rating for any small autopilot.

Granted, that is right at the limit for a Mac, so you might consider doing a hydraulic upgrade as well.

Matt