Carver Owners Forum

I am getting ready to move my autopilot compass. I currently have it mounted under the dash via the opening behind the front seat cushion.

I was hoping someone here already has one mounted successfully somewhere that I could mimic. I am thinking on the front just in front of the flybridge front seat if I can get a wire to there. Any thoughts or help would be appreciated.

I installed an autopilot in my previous boat. I remember the instructions for mounting the compass stating location should be as low and centered as possible. My current Carver has the compass located on the engine room aft bulkhead. It is mounted at the center and bottom of the bulkhead. This location provides a reading without the influence of wave action on the vessel.

Thanks! Any concerns about the equipment surrounding it? I can probably find a spot down there that will suffice, but there will always be wires and such I guess.

I am not knowledgeable to direct you on electrical interference. I can't remember if it played a part in the location? Do you have a manual? Can you retrieve one from the internet? It should cover the subject.

Down low, parallel to the center line of the hull, and away from machinery and other potential interference is what most call for. While it's best to run the cable isolated from all others, it's usually impractical as they typically need to go through raceways to an area where other electrical wiring runs as well. The cable is shielded so that helps combat most of the interference you'd pick up from other wiring. If the bulkhead behind the engines is a good spot due to the short run, try putting it on the other side of the bulkhead so it's not in the engine bay but ends up in a closet, cupboard or behind a drawer, etc. If this forces it to face aft, you'll need to configure it so that it takes that into consideration for a proper reading. Mine is in a cupboard space under a dinette bench and it faces aft. Older system but will be upgrading this summer.

I ended up moving to the storage cabinets on the flybridge. It has a clearance of about 4 feet, so it seems to be working well. Thanks for the suggestions!

I haven't installed one in years but they used to recommend as far aft and low as possible. We used to mount them between the rudders. Guidelines may have changed over the last several years?

I am seeing a 1 to 2 degree difference. Can adjust for that. Thanks for the help!