Auto pilot in a 2003 Sundancer 380

[Painkiller]

I am considering an autopilot in our 2003 Sundancer 380 and am looking for anyone who would know where to mount the control unit and electronic compass in the boat. Does anyone know where the original equipment would of been mounted? Thanks. Tim

 

[Todd320]

I have an older electronic compass (heading sensor by AutoComp, I think that is the same thing) and it is mounted on the centerline of the boat, in the forward compartment beneath the floor. I don’t know that newer electronic compasses need to be mounted there, so maybe find one and see what there installation recommends?

 

[Team PCBeach]

On our 2003 360, the rate sensor is mounted similar to @Todd320 in a compartment below the floor just outside the head door. The ideal location is in the dead center of the boat. In all axis the farther you get away from center, the rates (roll, yaw, pitch) all increase. That being said look at the manual for the autopilot you are going to get, I bet you can enter the offsets if the rate sensor is not mounted on the center-line. Then the autopilot software just makes corrections for the rates.

 

[Painkiller]

Thanks. There is a lot of room in the floor compartments so that makes sense. I am have not looked at the installation manuals yet because we just got an accepted offer on a Sundancer 420.