"Sub $600 Autopilot" Progress

[vkmaynard]

We are still consistently working on the “Sub $600 Autopilot”. The moderators kindly gave us permission on post recent progress last June since we are not currently in production. We decided not to post until further beta testing.

We’ve been very busy over the last year plus with many great accomplishments. We completed our provisional patent application, have 5 prototype units in the hands of our great beta testers, registered our domain name Maritech Navigation, and gathered lots of great feedback from fellow Macgregor owners that we've met on our various outings: Annapolis, VA; Wilmington, NC; Charleston, SC; just to name a few. We’ve had as many as four units running during an event. Tracking accuracy with and without GPS is as good as or better than commercial units. Operation is silent and unobtrusive. Installation is very simple with as little as one 3/8" hole required depending on boat model and throttle location.

Last weekend we had two beta testers on the water, Dr Ron B (cptron, 2011M with internal throttle) and Dimitri (Cayo Costa trip, 2000 26X), both reporting good results. Other beta testers include Erik H (Knot Shore, 1999 26X) and Bill P (Boom Boom II, 2008 M), partner James M (2002 26X) and myself (2001 26X). So far we’ve tested over 1.3 years on the beta units. The beta testers can chime in with their honest opinion if they are interested. Some of the development information is proprietary and will not be discussed on the open forum. This unit is in development so further improvement will happen.

Unfortunately our local machine shop (TechShop) closed unexpectedly last May, effectively torpedoing our chances to reach the market this year. We have since regrouped and purchased some of our own equipment including a CNC mill and lathe allowing us to fine tune the mechanics and electronics packaging prior to committing to production. Our prototype units and beta testers have been invaluable, and we now have production candidate electronics in our labs that address all the issues we’ve encountered.

We appreciate all of the enthusiasm from the Macgregor community. We are committed to releasing a quality autopilot that rivals or outperforms anything currently available in our class on the market. As such, we do not want to rush something to the market that does meet the strictest standards of safety and quality. Please keep up the kind words of encouragement as we strive towards our product launch in 2014!

Thanks,
Maritech Navigation crew


Install requires one 3/8" hole for emergency release, No other holes required on 26X or 26M with external throttle. 26M with internal throttle requires a simple rack flip with five 1/4" holes for new position (performed by Dr Ron with a Bill P collaboration).


Erik H with install 1999 26X, Fits inside new console


Dr Ron B (cptron) installing on 2011 26M

[Starscream]

You forgot to include the address of Maritech so I can mail a check for my pre-order.
Do you need a beta-tester to let a unit sit in a frozen X for the next five months?

[DaveB]

Victor,
Spent time with Demitri on Cayo Costa past weekend and he said the unit performed well at slow speeds . He also said at higher speeds at had variations .
For me I like the lower speed funtions as at higher planning speeds one has to be alert and hands on the wheel.
I also noticed he has the higher consel on the 2000 macx compared to lower concel on my 1997 macx.
Your unit was bulging at both sides on his, meaning max. width in mounting.
I belive if one was to attach your system they would need to go with the higher consel after yr 2000 on the macx.
I also don't belive you can sell this product at $600 and belive most would pay $1000 or more.
From what Dimitri says the unit works great under planning speeds, That works great for most of us.
Dave

We are still consistently working on the “Sub $600 Autopilot”. The moderators kindly gave us permission on post recent progress last June since we are not currently in production. We decided not to post until further beta testing.

We’ve been very busy over the last year plus with many great accomplishments. We completed our provisional patent application, have 5 prototype units in the hands of our great beta testers, registered our domain name Maritech Navigation, and gathered lots of great feedback from fellow Macgregor owners that we've met on our various outings: Annapolis, VA; Wilmington, NC; Charleston, SC; just to name a few. We’ve had as many as four units running during an event. Tracking accuracy with and without GPS is as good as or better than commercial units. Operation is silent and unobtrusive. Installation is very simple with as little as one 3/8" hole required depending on boat model and throttle location.

Last weekend we had two beta testers on the water, Dr Ron B (cptron, 2011M with internal throttle) and Dimitri (Cayo Costa trip, 2000 26X), both reporting good results. Other beta testers include Erik H (Knot Shore, 199 26X) and Bill P (Boom Boom II, 2008 M), partner James M (2002 26X) and myself (2001 26X). So far we’ve tested over 1.3 years on the beta units. The beta testers can chime in with their honest opinion if they are interested. Some of the development information is proprietary and will not be discussed on the open forum. This unit is in development so further improvement will happen.

Unfortunately our local machine shop (TechShop) closed unexpectedly last May, effectively torpedoing our chances to reach the market this year. We have since regrouped and purchased some of our own equipment including a CNC mill and lathe allowing us to fine tune the mechanics and electronics packaging prior to committing to production. Our prototype units and beta testers have been invaluable, and we now have production candidate electronics in our labs that address all the issues we’ve encountered.

We appreciate all of the enthusiasm from the Macgregor community. We are committed to releasing a quality autopilot that rivals or outperforms anything currently available in our class on the market. As such, we do not want to rush something to the market that does meet the strictest standards of safety and quality. Please keep up the kind words of encouragement as we strive towards our product launch in 2014!

Thanks,
Maritech Navigation crew

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

Hi Dave,

Just a couple updates on my comments. The Maritech beta unit has built-in current limiting (Victor would need to give more detail than that since I'm not aware what is proprietary or not, but I think I can tell you that it was designed to be more power friendly than its competitors) and so sometimes at high motoring speeds, excessive helm pressure was triggering this beta limit on my boat (I'm not sure if other testers had this issue). As Victor hinted, they have made changes in the production units which address this issue (and that was part of the beta testing objectives). But I just got off the phone with Victor telling him that I had greased my motor shaft right before the Cayo Costa trip and that seemed to make a difference as well since I didn't see any over-currenting on the way back to Placida on Sunday (I high speed motored the last 5 miles or so).

Other than this issue, I've been very pleased with the beta unit. You are right that it takes up the whole space width in the helm but having been a sport pilot owner for several years, I can tell you that the motor size on the maritech unit is quite a bit bigger than what I had on the Sport pilot and that was a concern for me because if you recall, when I sailed the whole 112 miles from Cayo Costa to North Tampa Bay back in 2010, my sport pilot overheated and fried during the end of the second 10 hour day on the water. Even after using the Maritech unit for hours, it stays cool since it is a bigger motor and has better ventilation. Also, having the unit completely within the helm is a much cleaner installation and very custom tailored for the Mac 26. The larger motor doesn't "squeal" like the smal SP motor did either. And btw, the Maritech also gives you course and track information on a remote control so to get a sport pilot with remote would cost well over $2000.

Since even when I have my (younger) kids on board, I'm still single handing, the autopilot is essential gear for me because it has to steer when I'm putting up/taking down the sails and many other duties that involve leaving the helm. Its too bad we didn't have enough time for me to take you on a test drive, but maybe if I make the Key's cruise next month, we can do it then. Not sure if I'll be able to talk any of my kids into that cruise and/or the Everglades cruise in January so I may be completely by myself. It's really nice to be able to plot a course on your GPS (or on my laptop) and then have the A/P follow it allowing me to do other things, like eat and go to the head, etc.

Dimitri

[Erik Hardtle]

Hi all, Beta tester Erik on Knot Shore.

Couple of notes:

1. This will not work on a rotary steering system, must be rack and pinion.

2. A rack and pinion steering system will not fit into any pre 1999 MacGregor Pedestal. (unless you want to drill a hole at the top of your pedestal... see my attempt below)



3. You can get a new taller pedestal from Blue Water Yachts for $295 + shipping. http://bwyachts.com
and your side panels will still fit on the new pedestal.



4. This auto pilot is quiet... sometimes you might forget you have it on.

5. You will be able to do the following:
----> use the head
----> make lunch and eat it
----> go fishing
----> raise and lower every sail
----> have it tack/jibe for you

6. Things you should be warned about:
----> falling asleep on a single tack
----> get bored as you will be like a passenger and not the captain.

I single hand alot and I have never had an autopilot before (unless you count the Admiral) so this was not something I had any previous experience with, but it is a very handy tool for solo sailors. I have "heard" other autopilots working... like raymarine as it was very noisy (sorry Billy) and I don't think I would want a noisy auto pilot during my quiet sailing time (this includes the Admiral... hehe... although she has better software... sorry Vic.)

________________________________________________________________________________
Capt Erik, Admiral Jean, First Mate Christina & Swabbie Nicole
1999 MacGregor 26X, "KnotShore"
New Bern, NC

[mastreb]

I'm still trying to talk Vic into letting me mate his motor and mechanicals to my Raymarine, as I like the trons I have and need to have NMEA2000. I think his quiet in-helm system would be the ultimate upgrade to >any< autopilot, and I'm pretty sure this Raymarine will drive any 12v motor that draws less than 7 amps. There's no rotary encoder or other feedback mechanism of any sort--it's just two reversible power wires to the motor, and you configure the head unit with the hard-over to hard-over times. It gets its servo-feedback synthetically from the sensor head.

The only issue would be clutch.

[cptron]

Capt. Ron here, another one of the Beta testers. First let me explain that I get nothing out of commenting positive or negative on this AP nor am I promoting it. I am only telling my side as I have seen it working.
I have never had an autopilot and thought they were for the rich only. I have set watch on a cat going down the west coast of Florida that had a Raymarine and that seemed to be the only sound you could hear all night was the constant worring of the pilot. It just made me more leary of getting an autopilot if I had to listen to that all the time.
Now that I have one I will make it a standard option should I ever change vessels again. This thing tracks either a route or a bearing better than a beagle on a rabbit. It not only does all the afformentioned but also gives me time to cozy up to the admiral for those much needed brownie pouints.
Sorry Vic the admiral says that the only other thing she would like to see my new mistress (Vicky the autopilot) do is the dishes. I told her it was a stretch but you could work on it.

[SENCMac26x]

I've only seen it in action on Ron's boat, but I remember it was extremely quiet unlike nearly every other AP I've seen in action.

After I make the move from my 25 to an or , this will definitely be in the must-have list.

[Russ]

You forgot to include the address of Maritech so I can mail a check for my pre-order.
Do you need a beta-tester to let a unit sit in a frozen X for the next five months?

Ditto

[vkmaynard]

You forgot to include the address of Maritech so I can mail a check for my pre-order.
Do you need a beta-tester to let a unit sit in a frozen X for the next five months?

Thanks, we have enough beta testers. They've been a tough crowd for sure. They are on deck for round two with the production electronics/software soon.

Victor


Bill P autopiloting 2008 M


Erik H fishing hands free! Now he can cause even more trouble while boating


Comparing performance with Raymarine Wheel Pilot (thanks Billy G)

[vkmaynard]

Sorry no pictures of Dimitri in Tampa. Send some.


Beta Production. Remote Control with LCD display, Main Control Box and Compass


So easy children can use it (James M kids, cute!)

[Obelix]

Great update, Viktor.
Please publish your website address as soon as it is online.

Jurgen

[vkmaynard]

Test CNC milling remote control case in foam. PCB fit first time.




Production Remote Control PCB fitted in foam test case


Case Top

[DaveB]

Erik,
Thanks for the pictures and info.
I need to change out steering anyways and will order the higher pedestal.
Now all I need is Victor's autopilot.
Dave

[Obelix]

Dave,
Please get in line, I'm waiting too

Obelix