Hello All,
I was on a Niagara 35 today that had a Alpha Marine Systems www.alphamarinesystems.com autopilot installed. It was recently electronically updated but still using the original linear drive, etc. and working flawlessly. Not too bad from a system that was new in 1984.... While the control panel design is a bit antiquated it appears from my brief research that these things are true bluewater bulletproof units.
I have an Autohelm 4000ST wheelpilot we have nicknamed the "wandering pilot" that has recently taken to just shutting down whenever it feels like it. While decent going to weather its performance is just awful reaching and worse downwind. Raymarine seemed the only option for a belowdecks linear drive system and I don't really care for Raymarine. The owner of the Niagara stated the Alpha locks on course and just stays there, rock solid, no matter the sail trim or sea state.
I can get over the "70's styling" if these things are as robust and precise as they say. What say the rest of you?
Thanks, RT
I was on a Niagara 35 today that had a Alpha Marine Systems www.alphamarinesystems.com autopilot installed. It was recently electronically updated but still using the original linear drive, etc. and working flawlessly. Not too bad from a system that was new in 1984.... While the control panel design is a bit antiquated it appears from my brief research that these things are true bluewater bulletproof units.
I have an Autohelm 4000ST wheelpilot we have nicknamed the "wandering pilot" that has recently taken to just shutting down whenever it feels like it. While decent going to weather its performance is just awful reaching and worse downwind. Raymarine seemed the only option for a belowdecks linear drive system and I don't really care for Raymarine. The owner of the Niagara stated the Alpha locks on course and just stays there, rock solid, no matter the sail trim or sea state.
I can get over the "70's styling" if these things are as robust and precise as they say. What say the rest of you?
Thanks, RT