Wood Freeman Autopilot Replacement

[sixty]

I just closed on a 78' 60c and the existing Wood Freeman auto pilot is not functioning. I was planning on replacing the system, but I spoke with Michael Freeman (great, very helpful and knowledgeable guy) and he is sending me the service manual and a trouble shooting jumper cable. I am going try to fix the system but in case I cannot get it going reliably, I would like to consider a replacement.

What have you guys done for newer autopilots that have 12v or 24v pumps on a 32v system?

I have a 12v battery and charger on the bridge, but afraid that if a 12v pump taxes the charger and battery too much I may end up dead with no electronics.

I could keep the wood freeman pump and use solenoids to control it but Simrad tech did not recommend this since it will cause a delay.

Any thoughts?

 

[Cricket]

That's a 40 year old piece of electronics, probably should think about moving to some current products, their capabilities are amazing. Can't help with suggesting the best 32v workaround, rewired our boat to 24v. Garmin, Furuno, Simrad, and probably Raymarine, are all producing really good innovative electronics, best to go somewhere to demo them to see which works for you the best.

 

[jim rosenthal]

I think I'd get a Garmin; I don't think I'd try to keep a WF autopilot running. They were supposed to be good in their day; their day is quite a while ago.

Simrad/Robertson, Garmin, and Furuno are all supposed to be good. The trawler folks seem to like those and also Comnav, but I don't personally know anyone who has used one.

 

[sixty]

Thanks Cricket, I agree moving to more modern electronics is a good idea but the 32v is the problem.

Rewiring to 24v is a good idea but that would seem like a huge cost to replace all of the 32v motors, lights, starters, chargers, batteries, etc...

I' looking towards Simrad but their biggest pump the RPU-300 is marginal for the ram which I think it 38 cu in in displacement. I have Raymarine on my other boat but Simrad seems to have the edge on the market for quality and dependability

That's a 40 year old piece of electronics, probably should think about moving to some current products, their capabilities are amazing. Can't help with suggesting the best 32v workaround, rewired our boat to 24v. Garmin, Furuno, Simrad, and probably Raymarine, are all producing really good innovative electronics, best to go somewhere to demo them to see which works for you the best.

 

[sixty]

I think I'd get a Garmin; I don't think I'd try to keep a WF autopilot running. They were supposed to be good in their day; their day is quite a while ago.

Simrad/Robertson, Garmin, and Furuno are all supposed to be good. The trawler folks seem to like those and also Comnav, but I don't personally know anyone who has used one.

I'll look into garmin as well.

Lol, people told me the same thing about the old Hatt until they spend some time on board

It looks like most mfg's pumps aren't recommended for a boat with over 90,000 lbs of displacement. The wood freeman pump seems to work fine which is why I though but keeping it. does anyone know the displacement of the stock ram on a 60C? I'm 400 miles from the boat so cant take measurements.

The Simrad tech recommended a constant running pump with solenoids which sounds custom and expensive.

 

[RonNP]

I recently replaced my old autopilot with a Garmin smart pump. I have a 32 V system and it works.

 

[Boatsb]

Garmin smart pumps are great BUT not made to run on 32 volts.

I sell lots of them and can tell you it will fail in that setup.

It needs a DC converter and I recommend dual victron units that load share as either could fail and still get you home.

Id be glad to help you get the right items. I sell to members all over the country and maybe one or two can speak up for how I do it right.

Right tIM. I fixed your system with remote control if memory serves.

 

[Boatsb]

By the way the reactor 40 smartpump is on back order until March. I have a bunch on order and most spoken for. Id not recommend buying the old version if its even still available as most authorized dealers have been out of them for some time. We all have to sell at the same price too so if a dealer advertises below $4099.99 they are not authorized or wont be for long.

 

[sixty]

I recently replaced my old autopilot with a Garmin smart pump. I have a 32 V system and it works.

I saw where the smart pump is capable of working on larger boats but it seems like you boat is definitely at the upper limit. have you had it out in rough water where the pump is working hard? I will guaranteed have the boat out in big seas and will need a pump that can handle the duty.

I found a pump, an Accusteer HPU-100 for $1,700 which looks like a very solid and reasonably priced constant running pump capable of up to 50 cu in. I will just need to verify my ram displacement. Anyone have experience with these pumps?

 

[Boatsb]

It all depends on the ram size and type.

If your 60C has power steering its adaptable too.

Where are you located?

 

[sixty]

It all depends on the ram size and type.

If your 60C has power steering its adaptable too.

Where are you located?

Unfortunately I do not know the size of the ram but the system is a conventional Hynautic 2 helm system with the standard ram which I assume came stock on my boat. A wild guess from memory is the ram is about 2" in diameter and 18" long which would put the displacement in the 35-40 cu in range. Unfortunately that just memory

I'm located in Las Vegas and the boat is in Ensenada Mexico.

 

[Boatsb]

I'll be in vegas in april. Bring the boat there

I believe the 65 has power steering so it's not a comparison. I'll check the 52 I'm working on here tomorrow but ask the question to hatteras or Sam's if they can get you the ram size or part number.

The smartpump is good to about 25 cu inch

 

[sixty]

I'll be in vegas in april. Bring the boat there

I believe the 65 has power steering so it's not a comparison. I'll check the 52 I'm working on here tomorrow but ask the question to hatteras or Sam's if they can get you the ram size or part number.

The smartpump is good to about 25 cu inch

As soon as California falls off into the Pacific, it should be no problem getting it here. Might happen before April in the year 1,000,000 AD and the Hatt should still be around.

I'm checking with my friend down there to see if can get me some pics and measurements. I'll also go thru my manuals I have here.

 

[Boatsb]

The hat is built better than California for sure.

 

[RonNP]

I saw where the smart pump is capable of working on larger boats but it seems like you boat is definitely at the upper limit. have you had it out in rough water where the pump is working hard? I will guaranteed have the boat out in big seas and will need a pump that can handle the duty.

I found a pump, an Accusteer HPU-100 for $1,700 which looks like a very solid and reasonably priced constant running pump capable of up to 50 cu in. I will just need to verify my ram displacement. Anyone have experience with these pumps?

I've had it in 8 foot seas and it worked well. It is tied in to my Garmin chartplotter and just does it's job.

 

[sixty]

I've had it in 8 foot seas and it worked well. It is tied in to my Garmin chartplotter and just does it's job.

Thanks for the input. I'm sure running out of Channel Islands harbor, you've seen some weather. right now I'm leaning towards Simrad with the above constant running pump.

 

[Boatsb]

Before you make the decision.

The Autopilot needs to integrate with your main screens. What do you have to integrate to?

How will you handle software?

 

[sixty]

Before you make the decision.

The Autopilot needs to integrate with your main screens. What do you have to integrate to?

How will you handle software?

Right now I have an old furuno 292 sounder, Old furuno radar and a standard horizon 1000c plotter. The plotter outputs NMEA 183 which I think can use temporarily to talk to the Simrad. I'm planning going with Simrad NSS's as the boat funds permit which is why I'm leaning towards a Simrad AP.

I'm thinking Simrad because the have been the best I've played with so far. I may look into lightly used units to save some $$ especially because whatever I get will be obsolete in 5 years anyways like my Raymarine C140's in my other Hatt.

Thank you very much for your input and feel free to keep it coming. I always like to learn, especially before dropping bunch of coin.

 

[Boatsb]

If you fish you dont want the simrad sounder. Garmin is far better. Garmin has integrated sounders that outperform the simrad. But Simrad has an awesome RADAR in the HALO system.

Also look at charts and compare the additional cost.

Simrad has a rebate on the EVO 3 units this month.

Raymarine had rebates this month too. Garmin has backorders.

Neither the garmin, raymarine nor the simrad autopilot can be updated without an additional device unless attached to the same brand MFD. They almost always need software updates when they are installed.

And Krush will bring up Furuno.

Just trying to get a customer a Navnet 3D chart upgrade. Its not an easy process.

 

[sixty]

If you fish you dont want the simrad sounder. Garmin is far better. Garmin has integrated sounders that outperform the simrad. But Simrad has an awesome RADAR in the HALO system.

Also look at charts and compare the additional cost.

Simrad has a rebate on the EVO 3 units this month.

Raymarine had rebates this month too. Garmin has backorders.

Neither the garmin, raymarine nor the simrad autopilot can be updated without an additional device unless attached to the same brand MFD. They almost always need software updates when they are installed.

And Krush will bring up Furuno.

Just trying to get a customer a Navnet 3D chart upgrade. Its not an easy process.

Thanks for the info nd reminding me why I hate selecting electronics soooo many choices!