LarryM
Guru
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2011
- Messages
- 1,069
- Location
- USA
- Vessel Name
- Pelago
- Vessel Make
- Wellcraft 3300 Coastal
Ok let's try again. Go to the AP20 and find 2 cables going into the back. One leads to the junction box. The other takes a long and winding route to the master stateroom closet. Tucked up in the corner is an RFC35R rate compass.
Ted,
Since you have a RFC35R Rate Compass, I would examine the compass location and search for and move any ferrous material stowed within 3 feet or so of the compass. I would then record your existing settings and perform a factory reset. Then go through the Dockside setup. Finally go through the Sea Trial and be sure to re-calibrate the compass and run Autotune. I would also spend some time fine-tuning the Parameters and I think you might find the AP20 can still do a very acceptable job of steering.
If not, you can be certain that you have optimized your existing system before spending a lot of money on any new equipment. There are still many satisfied users of the Simrad AP20/21/22 series autopilot in both commercial and pleasure service.
Feel free to PM if I can help you in any way. I have lived with two of these systems for quite a while.
Good luck,
Larry
M/V Boomarang