Here are answers to some of the common questions we receive. Feel free to contact us with any other questions you may have.

Common Questions

Will the CPT steer my heavy displacement boat?

The CPT will generally steer heavy displacement boats from two to six turns lock-to-lock. The CPT has a powerful motor and gearing, and uses the mechanical advantage of the steering wheel & steering system. When sailing you must be willing to trim and balance the vessel, as you would with a windvane, to reduce weather-helm. The most common vessels using the CPT are typically 30-50’in length with 25-40,000 lb displacement.

The CPT develops 86 ft-lbs of torque at the wheel with the 12" wheel adapter, and 97 ft-lbs of torque with the 14" wheel adapter. The 14" wheel adapter is recommended for boats for with 2-2.5 turns lock to lock, helping to smooth corrections and lessen shear pin wear.

In winds or rough conditions the boat must be balanced to reduce weather helm. With too much weather helm the belt will eventually begin to jump, an indication its time to reef and trim the boat. Many vessels use the CPT as well as a winvane , but an equal number of vessels simply reduce sail & balance the boat in order to use the CPT in heavier conditions. A self-steering back-up of some sort is recommended for long distance cruising.

Will the CPT steer my light displacement, high performance sailboat?

Yes, if you are willing to deal with the limitations of the pilot by reefing and balancing the vessel. The CPT’s compass is quick and responsive to heading changes, and uses very little electricity.

The manual controls set the pilot to one set of steering conditions; the vessel needs to be trimmed for consistent steering needs. With the vessel trimmed for directional stability the CPT performs extremely well. The CPT is not designed for steering needs that constantly change, such as needing the wheel quickly turned 90-degrees at the top or bottom of a wave and then smaller wheel corrections when surfing down the face of the wave. In large following seas the vessel speed and course need to be adjusted for consistent steering needs.

A recent Islander 36 with fin keel and spade rudder reports great performance in the Pacific Northwest; downwind was no problem at all, he just needed to lower the rudder-control setting due to the increased downwind speed. A high performance Conser 47' catamaran crossing the Pacific has reported no problems in high winds, surfing down 15-20' breakers downwind at high speeds.

Is it strong enough to steer my boat? (What is torque?)

The CPT can produce up to 97 ft-lbs (131 Nm) of torque to your vessel's steering wheel, depending on the wheel adapter you use. This would be the same force as hanging a 97 lb weight (or two 6-gallon water jugs) from one of your wheel's spokes one foot out from the center. Other wheel pilots may typically only produce 30Nm, or 22 ft-lbs of torque.

Torque is a force that rotates or turns things. You generate a torque any time you apply a force using a wrench or lever. Tightening a bolt with a wrench is a good example. When you use a wrench, you apply a force to the handle. The handle is a lever, and the force creates a torque on the bolt, which turns the bolt.

On your boat's wheel, torque is the amount of force it takes to rotate your steering wheel. Pushing down on one of the wheel spokes is the same as using a wrench or lever. The spoke is a lever, and the force on the spoke creates a torque on the wheel, which turns the wheel.

If you put 100 pounds of force (a 100 lb weight, for example) on your wheel spoke, one foot from the center, 100 ft-lbs of torque are generated. At a distance of two feet from the center, you only need 50 pounds of force to generate the same torque.

How is the CPT different from other autopilots?

The CPT is a rugged stand-alone autopilot that keeps a vessel on a magnetic compass course. With your boat on course, set the CPT and it will steer and keep your boat on that course, rain or shine. It is a course-keeping autopilot. For simplicity and reliability it does not have connections to rudder transducers, GPS, or other electronics. The CPT is designed for immersion and cockpit mounting, and is powerful enough to steer heavy displacement boats.

The teeth on the belt, wheel, and clutch interlock and eliminate slipping. The simple to use clutch engages the drive, and also provides emergency overload protection.

Please be aware that a magnetic compass course is not the same as a GPS course. In keeping to a good average compass course, your vessel will still be subject to drift from wind and currents. This is apparent when observing your GPS over time, and on a passage you will still need to navigate and make periodic adjustments.

Can Older CPTs be repaired and serviced?

Yes, we repair and service older CPTs. Older versions since the 1980’s were labeled “The Autopilot” or “The Autopilot II”, and “CPT by Scanmar” versions. Typical servicing involves replacing watertight seals & gaskets, and servicing relays after years of use. Older pilots with a worn compass can have the compass assembly replaced for like-new performance. When an older CPT lacks performance it can be repaired and serviced to give great course holding ability.

Is the CPT waterproof?

Cockpit autopilots are more exposed to the elements than their underdeck counterparts, so we have built the CPT for immersion.

The sensor, drive box, and remote are designed and built to withstand immersion. We prefer to call the CPT truly water resistant, as the term “waterproof” is often misunderstood. Storing the unit improperly for long periods in standing water or flooded conditions can eventually exceed the rating of the watertight seals.

My boat has hydraulic steering. Will the CPT work with hydraulic steering systems?

Yes, the CPT works well with hydraulic systems, and routinely steer vessels over 40' with hydraulic steering. The CPT develops plenty of torque and rpm for hydraulic steering systems. Leaks and air in the lines must be removed for it to work well.

Will the CPT work on a boat with a slanted wheel and geared steering system?

Yes. Because the CPT utilizes a powerful motor and uses the mechanical advantage of the boat’s steering system, it can steer boats with steering systems from two to six turns lock to lock. It will work with worm geared or rack & pinion steering systems as long as they are working properly—no loose linkages, etc. On slanted wheels, the CPT drive unit is usually mounted on the sole or sidewall by using an optional L-bracket.

Can the CPT be used on a boat steered by a tiller?

No, not at this time.

Does the CPT connect to my GPS or navigation program?

No. The CPT is a dependable but stand-alone autopilot that will maintain your vessel on a compass course. One benefit of this simplicity is that there are no external connections to fail.

Does the CPT use a fluxgate compass?

No. The CPT uses a fluid-dampened, gimbaled optical compass, capable of operating at up to 45 degrees of tilt with no loss in accuracy. The CPT sensor responds quickly and is designed to be mounted in the cockpit. It is very dependable and resistant to damage from voltage spikes. Another advantage of the CPT’s compass is the low electrical usage, 0.013 amps standby, and .3 amp average use; even large heavy displacement vessels report using less than .4 - .5 amps when steering the vessel.

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Installation Questions

Can I install the CPT myself?

Yes. The CPT drive unit generally clamps to the pedestal with a pedestal bracket. The sensor unit is supplied with a clamp to fit the pedestal rail or with a bulkhead bracket. If pedestal mounting is not suitable, the CPT is easily mounted to a bulkhead, or to the cockpit sole or sidewall with use of an optional L-bracket. Any needed shims are included with most installations. Most of the time, the CPT is owner installed in just a few hours.

The versatility of the CPT makes it easy to transfer from boat to boat which has made it popular with delivery skippers.

Can the CPT be installed on a boat without a pedestal?

Yes, it can easily be installed directly to a bulkhead or console without the pedestal mount. We offer an optional L-bracket for mounting on the cockpit sole or sidewall.

Can the CPT be installed on a power boat?

Yes. Typical installations have been made on cabin cruisers, trawlers, and fishing vessels.

Can the CPT be installed on a steel boat?

Yes, provided the sensor is mounted in a good location. Check the location with a hand-bearing magnetic compass while the boat turns in a 360 degree circle. If the compass “hangs" and delays on certain headings while turning, and then breaks free, it will not work well in that location.

The CPT is steering many steel boats designed by Bruce Roberts and others. Every steel boat is different. Some owners have had success mounting the pilot sensor on a stainless steel pedestal guard around an aluminum pedestal. Others have mounted the sensor unit on wooden boom gallows, aluminum or wooden mizzenmasts, or on the ceiling of a hard dodger or bimini. If you have a steel boat, please let us know. We have directions available for performing a magnetic survey on your vessel.

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Operation Questions

Where can I get a copy of the manual?

Download owner’s manual

Can I use the CPT to tack my sailboat?

Yes, with the use of the remote control. Set the pilot to the new course and use the remote to make the tack. When the tack is completed the remote is toggled to give control back to the pilot.

I’ve heard that autopilots don’t work well in a cockpit, is that true?

The CPT uses a fluid dampened, gimballed optical compass which maintains an accurate heading when operating at up to a 45 degree angle. It works well in cockpits, unlike digital compasses that prefer to be mounted below decks where there is less motion and tilt.

I've heard that wheel-mounted autopilots are not suitable for blue-water ocean passages, will the CPT work for such a passage?

Yes, the CPT has been used for many such passages. It is rated for immersion and will stand up to wet cockpit conditions. Many vessels use the CPT along with a windvane, and vessels with a below decks pilot often use it when sailing due to its low electrical use. A self steering back-up is always recommended for long distance cruising. See Testimonials.

I've heard that with wheel-mounted autopilots, the belt slips or the gears or motor burns out in rough conditions. Is the CPT any different?

The CPT is different and can handle conditions other wheel pilots cannot.

The strength of the CPT comes from the size of its motor and gearing. Most wheel pilots use a 1/50 hp or smaller motor; CPT uses about a 1/4 hp motor. The robust motor of the CPT produces a higher torque and rpm at the wheel, allowing it to respond faster with more torque to spare than other wheel pilots. The CPT develops 86 ft-lbs of torque and up to 7 rpm at the wheel with the 12" wheel adapter, 100 ft-lbs of torque with the 14" wheel adapter. Most CPTs over 20 years old are still steering boats with the original motor, and can still be serviced and repaired.

The CPT uses a toothed wheel pulley and drive gear that meshes with the drive belt teeth. When the belt is loose without any tension it holds up to 100 pounds without slipping or jumping. With too much weatherhelm the belt will eventually begin to jump, but this simply indicates it is time to reef & balance the boat and reduce the loads at the wheel.

What is the benefit of the CPT if I only intend to use my autopilot for motoring in mild conditions?

The CPT is rated for immersion and built to last. After years of use it can still be serviced and repaired if needed, and you won’t have to throw it away for the next latest model. You may not intend to use the autopilot when sea and wind conditions get rough; but when you are short handed, sleep deprived, and unexpected emergencies come up, why not have an autopilot you can depend on?

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