EXPENSIVE MARINE FAILURES

[@miguelo.]

His knowledge, narrators voice, and deadpan humor is severely underrated. His last line before signing off made me re-flash the hundred of moments where all you want is to sell the boat that moment for .42 cents on the dollar.

[@RichardLewissails]

I absolutely love your videos. They are super informative as well as listening to a great storyteller

[@Kordafish]

Sailing as a hobby, standing in the rain tearing up £50 notes BRILLIANT 😆 love it. Fair winds and thanks for sharing another great and informative video 👍😊

[@SailingGently]

So pleased you liked it.... Thanks for watching

[@wayneedwards4445]

Did make me laugh

[@gking5522]

Hi Michael. I suspect we're about the same age. In 50 years of owning and cruising sail boats, I've never had a furler jam. I've never had an autopilot die. I did lose a CQR anchor once when my friend let go the rode when trying to kedge off a sand bar. But then I'm old school... You see, the two boats I've owned never had a furler or an auto pilot. I understand the convenience of them all. I just never could afford them from the jump, much less repair one later. At my current age of 77, I going to give my 45 year old Hunter 30 to a 20 something who needs to learn the 'ropes'. That way I won't have to buy a windlass to help get the Mantus anchor off the bottom! Great episode as always. Fair winds to you as well. G King SV Intuition

[@SailingGently]

Bit early to give up we are still young! I find on longer passages and to avoid too much deck work I like my furling gear and in-boom main reefing but I agree it comes at a price!!

[@davewalker1501]

Thank you so much Michael, yet again you had me laughing out loud with your commentary. Fantastic video, much appreciated.

[@SailingGently]

Glad you found it amusing. I found a lot of it expensive rather expensive Dave. Thank you for watching

[@davewalker1501]

Yes, unfortunately you highlighted the painful side of our chosen passion. Standing hours in the pouring rain, tearing up fifty pound notes, hits the nail firmly on the head 👏

[@gingerbard2607]

Just about my favourite YT channel! You've gladdened me that my Sabre 27 is so primitively equipped!

[@SailingGently]

I must admit simple is so often better

[@SeabreezeRJ]

WONDERFUL. Yes you absolutely are correct about instruments which endanger the user. I am a technician with a lifetime career in installing electronics and a proud owner of a 1979 Cape Dory with nearly none of the guff that comes with material that is made for convenience and yet isn't able to endure the life that is predictable ahead of it when aboard the vessel. Thank you sir for sharing and I am extremely happy to be a supporter and longtime fan ~__/)__*

[@SailingGently]

Thank you for the support. Appreciate it! One thing social media/KZbin can do is to warn others about defective products!

[@markholt1558]

Very interesting video, God your patience & positive attitude were certainly tested as well as your bank account getting a good battering. On a Bavaria 36 i had the same problem with RM auto pilot & used the same solution, bungee cord!!. I now own a 1987 moody 31 mk2 tiller steered, much happier keeping everything simple. I was going to upgrade instruments with a well known brand’ costing £6k but decided simple & cheap so now use Nasa Clipper instruments & Onwa (Chinese) chart plotters (got 2, one with AIS). Thought if I get a few years out of them they’re cheap enough to replace, all working fine 5 years on. Once heard an electronics guy say anything you buy is out dated after 3 yrs & if you get 7 or more years out of it you’re doing really well. Thanks for producing your video & sharing, safe happy sailing 👍

[@SailingGently]

I had a Moody 36 in which I installed all NASA instruments and sailed her from the hamble to the med - GiB to Türkiye then back and across the Atlantic to Caribbean 2 years then to Washington DC and they never let me down once.. Simple but reliable! They got wiped out in a lightning strike and the insurance replaced them with Raymarine .... A downgrade!

[@davedog999]

Absolutely brilliant Michael - please keep making videos!

[@SailingGently]

Thank you Dave, So pleased you like them

[@philmcmaster2770]

Fantastic video. “ tearing up £50 notes “ 😂. You love it.

[@SailingGently]

Glad you enjoyed it Phillip! Thank you for watching

[@svsalserenity4375]

Funny. I thought that noise was coming from my chair im sitting in as im watching your video. Very much looking forward to a Rum with you when we cross paths , your videos are enjoyed very much thankyou for sharing. I use Simrad and B&G for electronics . They work well in the wet , but they get very warm.

[@SailingGently]

It's really irritating as well when sailing in gentle calm conditions... Look forward to meeting up!

[@ooweesaler]

I had the same steering system installed new on my last boat. It needed two repairs in the first year. At least it comes with a longer warranty if its professionally installed. So impressed that you managed to get those jobs done so quickly. Here seems to take forever.

[@SailingGently]

Interesting you have had the same problems with Raymarine Autopilot.... And yes I was impressed by the services in Guadeloupe

[@kevgermany]

They call it an adventure. The reality is that junk is expensive. And adventure is dealing with junk. Pity. At least you are here to grumble. And it keeps us entertained. Thanks.

[@SailingGently]

Thanks Kev... rubbish in - rubbish out ... or expensively repaired

[@SuperDirk1965]

I have a maual windlass on my Dufour 35 (built in 1973) which I think is still the original windlass. I have been thinking about switching to an electric one, but this video has made me hesitate again. As for the autopilot, I bit the bullet and installed an underdeck drive. A world of difference because this motor is actually a bit overbuilt. I installed the Jefa. Great after sales as well.

[@SailingGently]

Dirk hi, Frankly the electric windlass is well worth it if you anchor a lot as I do. The design of Beneteau makes it impossible to fit an under-deck ram on the quadrant. I had this on my previous boat and it was excellent. Very powerful and reliable

[@dreamtimesv]

I had same issue with the RM autopilot after little real use and only 2yrs old. There is a documented fix that involves using supplied alan key to tighten a small wheel on the left side of the wheel mount which in turn tightens the belt. I found it online. Secondly RM suggest one washes the inside of the wheel drum by pointing a hose into a small vertical slot which you will see on the back of the wheel, they say do after every sail, and it removes salt build up. Nobody remembers to do this but i keep handy a squirt bottle of water and usually squirt some water in there before use once a day. It also reduces that noise of the belt you had on your video. It’s still a poorly designed piece of kit and should not be giving trouble so soon after install. I also keep a couple of spare drive belts in my kit just in case. Finally I installed their lower cost non touch screen plotters in my cockpit, mine says designed for yachts, works fine and didn’t break the bank. I agree with your NASA experience, but hard to find here now in the Antipodes. Thanks for the vid and best.

[@SailingGently]

Thank you for that info... I did 3mm Allan key mine to slight improvement. Fresh water I haven't tried but will. Well done finding a non touch screen...

[@dreamtimesv]

@@SailingGently Yes it’s the the RM Element S series. Great for cockpit, I have two one also at nav station downstairs. I thoroughly enjoy your stories, warts and all of your experiences the honesty of which makes them compelling. Best from Australia.

[@SailingGently]

I will look at it. I really enjoyed being in Australian waters.. Sailed into Port Jackson from NZ then cruised fairly gently round to Darwin - Loved the Cairnes area and the reef!

[@brownnoise357]

Hi Michael. Raymarine Customer Support messaged be, saying they are going to Reach Out to you, to see how they may be able to help. So Fingers Crossed. Bob. 🤔🌟🌟🌟👍❤️

[@SailingGently]

Thank you Bob... I'll let you know if I hear from them. Good of you to make this effort on my behalf -

[@brownnoise357]

@@SailingGently As I'm broke at the moment, it's the most I can do to help. All the Best. Bob. 👍

[@SailingGently]

I'm really grateful Bob. Thank you

[@brownnoise357]

Michael, that Guadaloupe Restaurant sounds a Belter, and to be honest, after su h setbacks I'd have had more than two glasses of Wine, plus would have had a bottle to take back to the boat ro e sure a good night's Sleep 😄 Best Wishes. Bob. 👍

[@SailingGently]

Thank you Bob. Might have been a couple or three...

[@brownnoise357]

@@SailingGently 🤔🌟🌟🌟👍 Bob.

[@Vindsong]

Another good and important video! I have had two Raymarine wheelpilots, and I have to say they seem to be very poorly manufactured. The original Autohelm ST 4000 was, in my experience, a much longer lasting product, although still not a good design. If they were cheap I would not mind that much, but they certainly are not. Surely they can come up with a better, stronger and more trustworthy product. I personally would not do a trip that was not willing to handsteer, without a spare working unit. I wish you the best of luck, I really enjoy watching your videos!

[@SailingGently]

I remember the original very Autohelm were excellent.. Pity they got brought out by Raymarine.... Their products tend to be over complicated but not very robust - IMO

[@davidfalaguerra4134]

Well done and fair winds...

[@SailingGently]

Thank you!

[@Salzbuckel]

Thanx, now that i see you the second time with your failed chain connector thing, i got an idea. what i will do to prevent the loss of chain and anchor. I will make a small spool of maybe 10 meters thin rope outside of the bow sprit with a small , like tennis ball size floating device on one end, and a catch up hook on the other, or find a way to pass by the windlass, and connect it to the end of the downgoing chain. A rope as thin, that it just can carrry the loose end of the chain a bit up in the water, so that i can grab it and pull the loose end up. Maybe a stronger fishing line or something very small, but rated to maybe 10 to 20 kilos. All of that can be packed in a little plastic bag, that does not get ripped off by waves, but tare a part by the power and momentum of the heavy chain. Caine gone, but ready to recover!!!

[@SailingGently]

Sounds like a plan Ulrich.... Mind you I think the best solution is to never use these chain extenders

[@selmatrudellisailing]

Thank you for sharing experience. Im happy with no touch devices. My old Garmin doesn't have touch and also located at charttable. Additional computer also with no touch. Ok i can fiddle with mouse and keyboard 🤣 Outside in the cockpit a have only a multifunction dispay mainly for echolot. Perhaps i'm a little bit old fashioned. Kind regards, Thomas

[@SailingGently]

Thanks for sharing Thomas... I tend to agree with you except single handed in strange waters the chart display at the helm is useful

[@grantchannel7187]

Oh wow - I saw the disaster with the anchor didn’t realise it was sandwiched between all the other drama! Thanks for sharing as always. I remember you choosing the autopilot addition - must be so frustrating - would be interesting to get some feedback from Raymarine! Send them your ‘verdict’ on the equipment ! - I just updated my lighthouse software and my rear view transom camera image ‘reversed’ in the update and can’t switch it back - so annoying, although nothing compared to what you are experiencing!

[@SailingGently]

The anchor wasn't the high point of that voyage Grant, it was equalled by the furling gear, but that was 20 years old so I can't complain... I really doubt Raymarine would care or be interested but I for one will avoid their products in future

[@andrewmellon5072]

Thank you for another interesting and enjoyable video. Do you have trouble with boat insurance due to age.

[@SailingGently]

Andrew hi, Glad you liked it. To my surprise age is never an issue with my marine insurance (82) although Caribbean insurance is really difficult... After Beryl I shudder to think what the reneal terms will be or if it's even viable other than 3rd party

[@Jarek12010]

lol, the last comment is pure gold. I am joining the club of people complaining about Raymarine autopilot. A second hand account, but they seem to be crap. Plastic gears, week motor and the noise of it working is just attrocious. I thought my 40 years old, belt driven Autohelm 3000 made too much noise, but yours would drive me mad. The Autohelm 3000 works like a charm, on a Beneteau First 35, even in moderate conditions. I have seen those available second hand online. No problem getting spare belts online. The system is much simpler, the only gear is the sprocket on the motor. Navionics has its issues, but is far better, in my opinion than a branded chartplotter. I use Navionics on a cheap 10" Huawei tablet, for which I built a "tough" enclosure. I can view another copy of Navionics and my Furuno wifi radar on my iPhone in the pocket, or when lying in the bunk.

[@SailingGently]

Jarek hi, I remember the original tiller Autohelm was brilliant. Worked so well, From the moment Raymarine took it over it was downhill..and noisy! Your Navionics setup sounds very Good, Thank you

[@robp4037]

Instructive and enthralling as ever. A pleasure to learn and see your adventures. Thank you.. may I ask about the karibiner choice for what I assume to be the safety arrest lanyard attached to your life jacket, which appears around 8:50 in? I see that it doesn't appear to have a locking screw - though I may be mistaken. I've often wondered whether the locking screw was always the best solution, given the assumed risk of an angle of pressure or clash popping it open - or whether the freedom to more easily release is better. Or if indeed the only considerations are the grade of steel and easy of use. Thoughts welcomed. 😊

[@SailingGently]

Actually Rob I almost never use a lifejacket. The safety harness is always easily accessible and I don that when it gets rough and I need to go on deck. Single handing with the autopilot on the important thing is to stay in contact with the boat... I use a simple karabiner as when I use the harness I need to be able to clip on and off quickly and easily... I have a raft in the locker and the lifejackets have new inflation bottles but live under a bunk. I can sleep comfortably in a harness but not in a lifejacket

[@robp4037]

​@@SailingGently many thanks for taking the time to respond. Cheers. :-)

[@robp4037]

@@SailingGently super helpful as ever. I'm always interested in thoughts on balancing risks, freedom to move about and solve problems, and comforts. Thanks again. Cheers and I look forward to your next upload. Rob.

[@brownnoise357]

PS. Apologies for typos, I desperately need new Reading glasses. Bob .🤔🌟🌟🌟👍

[@SailingGently]

Know the feeling Bob!!

[@LondonerBerlin]

Everything breaks ! I know the problem with my 40 yr old Beneteau F24. No more spare parts. How about a wind vane and Navionics on a cheap laptop ?

[@SailingGently]

Good thoughts - thank you... Problems of age!

[@ljdasilva3139]

Crikey Micheal, some fair dinkum bad luck in quick succession - after many years sailing I've found the old adage holds true 'A boat is a hole in the water into which you pour money'. 🙃 It's a cruel world.

[@SailingGently]

Absolutely and whilst it all happens the fresh water falls out of the sky onto your T shirt!

[@todddunn945]

Your experience with the touch screen display on your chart plotter is why I refuse to have touch screen anything on my boat. Some years ago I had a similar unsatisfactory experience on a friend's boat with a touch screen display while making a 150 nm offshore passage. What happened in that case is that the weather deteriorated a bit and we found ourselves sailing in 30 knots or so with modest 10'-15' seas. Our hands and the screen stayed dry, but we discovered quickly that it was virtually impossible to touch the screen as precisely as required due to boat motion. The touch screen system was locked into the mode it had been in before the issue arose and became completely useless. Fortunately, we had paper charts and the ancient Wood Freeman autopilot worked flawlessly. Oh yes, the boat was a well found 60' vessel so the conditions were not an issue except for the plotter. The hydraulic furling (genoa, main and mizzen) also worked as normal. By the way you really should wire the shackle holding your new Delta anchor on, or you will soon be shopping for yet another anchor. Finally, you are fortunate to own a small boat or you would be tearing up 100 euro notes not 50s.

[@SailingGently]

Tod Your touch screen experience exactly mirrors mine... Can be concerning... Never Raymarine again but currently its working! Couldn't find stainless wire in the Caribbean! Thanks for the input - I used to have a Westerly 43... Now those cost for fixing things!!!

[@robwilton9539]

Great vid as ever Michael. The cost of running an older boat is what scares me the most about taking the plunge. I would venture to say that your pension is substantially more than mine will be and this scares me even more. I had reckoned on £30 a day for self catering food and mainly marina free anchorages. Is that reasonable? Obviously a contingency fund for lost anchors and repairs would need to be established first. The question there though is how much?

[@SailingGently]

Frankly Rob, it's the cost of maintenance with any boat - new or old that can strain the budget... I think 30 a day is just doable for food but the cheapest marina or mooring Bouy is going to be 30 a night and in the winter/hurricane season...... The smaller and simpler the boat the easier it is to maintain... I didn't have an electric anchor winch until I got to New Zealand...

[@brentwilson9330]

I just had the same problem with the raymarine autopilot disengaging itself when it turns the wheel to port. This is on a hunter 34 in 1m seas and 10kts. I lashed the lever to hold it in place but it really wasn't a safe solution. Some internal adjustments gave it a little more friction to hold itself engaged but who knows how long that will last.

[@SailingGently]

Brent I'm glad I'm not the only one, but sorry you have the problem too. I've got a spare clutch mechanism from Hudson Marine and will install that when I get back but I think the whole device is just under spec...

[@jackdbur]

​@@SailingGentlyTry lubing your whole steering system to get it freely moving!

[@SailingGently]

@@jackdbur Thanks Jack. I do keep the system greased up and in a Beneteau 323 the cable run is pretty short but I'll have a look at it when I get back

[@jackdbur]

@@SailingGently In hot tropical conditions grease can become stiff and sticky needing removal & replacing after a shorter period maybe going to a super slippery silicone based one?

[@SailingGently]

Thanks Jack. Interesting.. Actually my wheel turns easily - 1 finger - mainly due to the quadrant being just astern of the wheel under a panel... The bad part of that is it's impossible to fit a ram type controller as there is on a few centimetres of space!

[@johnmeldrum4717]

Look at onwa plotters and cpt wheel pilot . Fitted these on my boat and the work .

[@SailingGently]

Thank you John. I will look at them

[@FreshFish76]

Hi! Great vid! About the raymarine ev-100, I find it strange that it is underperforming like that. I have roughly the same boat (oceanis 331) and that very autopilot, set to "cruising". The weather has to be really rough for it to lose control. In such conditions I prefer hand-steering anyway. Perhaps your rudder is a little too hard to turn? Faulty autopilot motor? Cheers, Thomas

[@SailingGently]

That's interesting, so maybe mine is just faulty, although I have found it a bit underpowered since installation... Mind you I do find the wind speeds in the Caribbean to be generally higher than UK or Med summer waters... It works fine in calm conditions but from 25 knots up it struggles to cope. I hardly helm at all as I find it tiring on longer passages

[@FreshFish76]

@@SailingGently Perhaps the motor was faulty out of the box. The swell and waves are probably a different set over there, which would make it insufficient. Where I sail, in the baltic sea, the waves rarely get higher than 3 meters. Wind speeds are mostly 20-30kn with a very short wave period. My ev-100 has lost control twice I think, because of some rogue wave. I'm planning on crossing the Atlantic in couple of years. Your videos are very helpful and inspiring.

[@SailingGently]

I think the motor is just too small.. Compared to my anchor winch electric motor it's tiny - and puny!

[@notsonominal]

Interesting about the touch issues, I wonder if they chose capacitive to support multitouch as the otherwise flawless operation, even in rain, of resistive touch screens are limited to a single input (but as a bonus also works with gloves and any material as a stylus). Anyways, I hope you have less interesting content for your next video;)

[@SailingGently]

In all honesty I think they designed the screens for larger boats with a 'dry' bridge and simply didn't think or bother about the downsized units out in all weathers - the big money for Raymarine is in big boats I suspect

[@brownnoise357]

Hi Michael. I've been doing some digging into Autopilots. Opinion on Furuno seems to be - very expensive and over complex as dedicated to the needs of Professional Fishermen. B&G and Raymarine seem flawed and vulnerable to dropping out with no warning ' though other equipment from both appear fine, though Touchscreen displays kep out of the proximity of Rain and wet hands does seem advisable so what are the non touchscreens available for use in Sailbost Co kpits ? which leaves the question of Simrad or Garmin Autopilots or if affordable Borh, with one backung up the ofher ? Hydraulic systems do seem to be the way to go for reliability and apeed ? Autopilots do need to be able to respond very fast, which is why I have rejected Wind Vane steering as way too slow in the past, but now qe can add easy breaking plastic components as reasons bot to have one, due to unacceptable Lack of Reliability. I think Ill try Garmin First, then as I can later afford it, will add Simrad as a backup. 🤔 Best Wishes. Bob. 👍

[@SailingGently]

Interesting research Bob. Thank you. One point, I found on my circumnavigation and other sailings that Wind Vanes far out perform electric autopilots. The worse the weather gets the better they perform.. Their reaction time is much faster with wind shifts as they don't need to wait for the boat to alter course - just for the wind angle to change and the windier it gets the better they perform. Down sides - they dont work if you are motoring.. (so you need an electric autopilot for entering / leaving port) They need several minutes to set up or more. Big lump of 'stuff' on the stern which is a problem going stern to. BUT a million times better at steering the boat than any electric autopilot and will never flatten your battery...

[@brownnoise357]

@@SailingGently Good points Michael, and I think my Chief concern with Wind Vane Steering today, is the number containing flimsy plastic components, which have badly let down quite a number of people, which recently included a couple of Welsh lads heading I to the Pacific, and these things also aren't cheap and we need to be able to rely on them. Fingers crossed, I can get something dependable that I can install, plus non touchscreen displays for the Cocpit, which shouldn't be a problem for MFD's below Deck - with a reliable Auto Pilot, no problem nipping below to check Course and make Course Changes, plus check Radar and AIS while putting the kettle on. Bob. 🤔👍

[@johnryan2193]

Grappling hook ?

[@SailingGently]

Could be a good thought. I just decided to cut my losses and get on with my sailing life!

[@jungbolosse3034]

Murphy’s law.

[@SailingGently]

You are so right!

[@svhulda6157]

If you change from Ray to Garmin, you will find they are equal useless and troulblesome. Living in Norway, I do not use touch, knobs only. I have an electric/hydraulic linear Simrad/Robertson auto pilot, perfect. The first one from 1985 was replaced in 2023, and is still in working order. It was replaced as i thought it now was more than old enough. Fair winds to you too!

[@SailingGently]

That's interesting about Garmin. The problem I had was the knob for analogue operation of the plotter was so fiddly... Needed two or three to make the device easily operable. Going to look at Simrad/Robertson on line. Thanks!

[@svhulda6157]

@@SailingGently Those Simrad/Robertson are out of production. I bought the last one ever made, they became too expensive. But do have a look at Navico product range.

[@SailingGently]

@@svhulda6157 Thank you - will do

[@sempertalis1230]

Building Touchscreen device for a sailboat and it can not be operated with wet fingers.... priceless The engineers of Raymarine must be recent hire from Microsoft BTW, your squeeching auto pilot may can be cured by just pouring freshwater in the round plastic cover . Salt is accumulating in there and causes there annoying sound. Will never happen when you are a freshwater sailor but in saltwater... well that's why it is called saltwater :-)

[@SailingGently]

Thank you for the freshwater tip... I did have the thing opened up a while ago but didn't think to try that - it looked OK but....

[@brownnoise357]

H Michael. Very interesting comments on the Yachting World Article on Autopilots for Transatlantic crossings, BASC on feedback from ARC Crews Such As : “ share of faults though. South African skipper Darrol Martin took part in the ARC Plus aboard his 1988 Amel Mango. He and his crew took apart their Raymarine rotary drive unit multiple times en route to Las Palmas as well as once during the ocean passage. Despite a professional installation less than four months before the start of the event, Martin reported that the drive gears were ‘mismatched’ and the screws were too small and ‘not strong enough to hold’. Plus a comment on Hydrovane not handling big waves from the Stern - an issue which, along with deteriorated quality of Wind Vane Hardware, has had me avoiding them, as having enough power really shouldn’t be an issue any longer? It does seem the 400 series Hydraulic Ram based Autopilots and Control Heads,do seem to be working properly and without unauthorised dropping out Breaks on a 44 ft Sailboat, but that would mean a totally different steering setup for your boat, which uses a wheel pilot- so I really don’t have the beginnings of a clue what would be for the best, as frankly my prior experience is limited to Rock Solid, Reliable, and relatively Cheap Tiller Pilots. My last Sailboat was my first one with a Wheel, as I really loved Classic boats with Tillers, and my next Sailboat is going to have a lot of Firsts for me - Twin Helms, Bolt on Keel, Wide Beam, hydraulic Auto Pilot, In Mast Furling, Radar, AIS Transceiver, and a Bow Thruster lol - it sank in that they are actually a useful Steering Backup, so worth having, as I like Backups. Oh also my first Bathing Platform as a now indispensable dock for the Tender, to aid getting on and off the boat, as I am no longer a Super-fit Gymnast.😅 Best Wishes. and Fair Winds. Bob. 🤔🌟🌟🌟🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇬🇧👍⛵️

[@SailingGently]

Sounds like you have the perfect boat planned! Well done

[@brownnoise357]

@@SailingGently Well every boat is a collection of Compromises , the hard bit is getting the best Compromises that work in favour of your needs, which ended up very differently to what I initially expected tbh. All the Best. Bob. 🤔🌟🌟🌟👍

[@brownnoise357]

@@SailingGently PS. Island Packet Can Customise the IP 349 for me, so that a second Head can fit in on the Port Side, close to the Companionway, ahead of the Aft Cabin, and opposite the Galley, With a pull out Twin Berth Settee ahead to Port, and a single Settee Berth to Starboard and a comfy Pullman Berth next to the forward head and sit down Shower, but tbh, I don't think I'll ever be able to afford one- still, at least Customers now know it can be done, if they know that if you entertain, or need crew, then a second head is pretty much indispensable unless you can bucket and chuck it from the Cockpit. Damned shame it's an updated version of the size Of boats I've always loved - Long Keel with encapsulated Lead Ballast, and a Draft of only 4 feet - 3 inces Less than my lovely Endeavour 32, which Tracked like a Dream. But tbh, was nothing like as Comfortable or accommodating as the IP 349, which for me, was love at first sight, only spoiled by having the single Head. It was nice of Darrell to drop me a message, that they could indeed fit in a second Head - no Shower in that needed, as there's no need for two to be used at once, so just a Washbasin in there, and a Happy Crew. Fingers Crossed for your boat being Safe during Peak Hurricane Season approaching Michael. All the Best. Bob in Wales still. 👍

[@brownnoise357]

Damn I need new glasses. I'd already replied lol. 👍

[@brownnoise357]

PS. Raymarine Customer Support do know that I have a very long Track Record as a Hardware and Software Tester, and my relationship with them has been pretty good to be fair, and they have investigated my suggestions for improvements, particularly with regard to doing useful system backups, and they recently let me know, that backups can be done via the micro SD slots on the Multi Function displays, which may be useful enough. I think adding a non touchscreen Display of some sort just for the Cockpit and networked to dry MFD below decks, could be enough, as long as the Auto Pilot can be depended on to be Reliable from a simple remote. Unfortunately, with no Sailboat just yet, trying everything out appropriately just isn't possible. Still, there is finally light at the end of this particular tunnel . Sail Safe. Best Wishes. Bob. 👍

[@SailingGently]

I was trying to purchase a non touchscreen plotter 4 years ago when I purchased GH. There were none on the market and Raymarine only had one hybrid model... Hybrid is an overstatement as all manual controls are integrated into the one knob. Very difficult to operate in a lumpy sea... I would buy a new all manuel display in a blink!

[@brownnoise357]

@@SailingGently Me too. That's some bad news really. Frankly the only Solution appears to be a very reliable Auto Pilot, which would permit changes to be made below deck in the Dry with an MFD, and maybe have a Networked mini iPad or other Tablet in a weather protected waterproof holder or case to use in the Cockpit ? You Could have really big Screen Icons for the Auto Pilot Controls and have adjustable icon sensitivity, which may just fix the problem . tbh, Tech has totally lost the plot since touchscreens came in. The last really good version of Microsoft Office Professional for example, was 2003. I still have a brand new OEM version, that I'll never get rid of, as I could do things with that, people thought was impossible to do. 😀 Best Wishes and Fair Winds. Bob. 👍

[@flydr2]

Enclosed cockpit makes things much nicer... Boat= hole in the water to put $ in

[@SailingGently]

I totally agree Marc with both statements except for me it's Euros!

[@johnryan2193]

Praymarine?

[@SailingGently]

Thank you John - I'm an atheist

[@alexmorgan3435]

When it rains, it really rains. An expensive passage. Still at least you were able to get the furler fixed. Just because your Raymarine autopilot is out of THEIR warranty doesn't mean you wouldn't have a claim against them. If you could establish that given the price of it and that it is fairly recently acquired and fitted, only a couple of years ago, it should still have lasted longer than it should, then you would have a pretty good case against them. You might need to commission a marine engineer's report though but you should get the cost of that back if you were successful. Either way it's NOT a good advert for Raymarine along with their chart plotter that only works with dry screen using warm dry fingers inside a dry cabin on sunny calm days in months only with a y in them. Ridiculous. Despite your bad luck you are a great story teller. ATB.

[@SailingGently]

So pleased you enjoyed the video Alex... I've purchased the spare parts for the autopilot and will get them fitted when I get back to the Caribbean...

[@maesy6730]

🤣, you will need a long recovery period after your 'holiday' .

[@SailingGently]

As will the sailing piggy bank.....

[@maesy6730]

@@SailingGently 😄

[@jimringo2569]

Thank you sir for these alerts to a novice with an old boat. I know the troubles will come, just not from where with so many little parts.

[@SailingGently]

They come when you least expect it Jim, In my experience but its just part of owning a boat!

[@brownnoise357]

Hi Michael. I have left a message for Raymarine Customer Support to get in Touch with you Urgdntly concerning your clearly Substandard auto pilot, plus the issues with the u usable Displzy with wet hands etc. Given other previous concerns personally, I have said this is the last straw for me, and I definitely won't be buying Taymarine auto pi.ots or Raymarine displays for my Next Sailboat - in fact, given the progress Garmin seem to have ,ade, depending on Teviews, that looks to be the direction I'm heading right now. Best Wishes Bob - no connection with Raymarine, other than as a paying customer, and they do seem to be in Denial about there being very Real issues that are extremely oncdrning. Nothing to See Here, Move Along, does appear to be the Public visual appearance sadly. Hopefully they pull out all the St's for you, Best WishesBob in Wales🤔🌟🌟🌟👍❤️..

[@SailingGently]

Thanks for the effort... I really doubt they will respond as both items ar a few months out of warranty but the KZbin video might interest them.... or not!

[@brownnoise357]

@@SailingGently They really need to start paying attention imho, as do B&G. I've never used Simrad, and up untill about 10 years ago, I felt on really solid ground with Raymarine, and had a pretty good relationship with them as a Customer. But now I have very serious Doubts, as we actually need a minimum period of 10 years Reliability, like we used to be able to pretty much Bank On ? Fingers Crossed your boat gets through Hurricane Season Unscathed Michael. 🤔🌟🌟🌟👍❤️ eta. It's not as if any of the gear is as cheap as chips is it ? we're looking at a pretty Serious and expensive investment t whi h has to keep reliably Working for as long as possible le, and needs to be manufactured to a high enough standard by default, or like Boeing, Everything Reputation wise goes Sideways.

[@SailingGently]

Indeed... The hight of the Hurricane season to come... My experience in the past with Simrad AIS was excellent... Good products

[@brownnoise357]

@@SailingGently Nice to hear Michael, and thanks for the insights. Best Wishes. Bob. 👍

[@bugbunny1306]

You should call Raymarine tell them you situation let them listen to the wheel pilot on the video, I think the solution is easier than you believe.

[@SailingGently]

Thank you - I will - however the noise is normal - says so in the instructions booklet and there is a sign on the clutch area forbidding the use of WD40 or any grease!

[@bugbunny1306]

@SailingGently To prevent the yoke arm from disengaging the tension setting nob should be loosened, not tightened. Oddly It's.a counterintuitive.

[@SailingGently]

@@bugbunny1306 Amazing! Thank you! I will try that when I get back... I think the 'book' said opposite or maybe didn't talk about the yoke arm disengaging!

[@TheAncientMarinersBlog]

Raymarine kit is truly awful - surpassed only by their truly abysmal Customer Support

[@SailingGently]

Eventually they will fall of their perch. Their software is non intuitive I cannot believe how difficult it is do anything with their products