From: Mike Oglesby
Category: Cruising
Date: 08 Jul 1998
I have had a Navico Wheelpilot 5000 on my Newport 30 MKIII for about 5 years now. I have cruised a couple of thousand miles and it makes single handed voyages possible for me. I use it routinely in good weather but will not trust it in winds much above 20 knots. These autopilots are available new for around $600.00. The two places where the microprocessor has trouble adjusting is when pinching the wind too close or on downwind runs with following seas of 5 feet or more. On beam reaches in winds up to 20 or 25 knots it works well aslong as the sails are properly reefed and set for the conditions. I wouldn't want to do without it as it gives me the freedom to do my chartwork, adjust the sails, make meals and goto the head. If you get one don't get to complacent and forget to keep a proper watch, especially in coastal waters. Regards
From: David and Barbara Cooke
Category: Suggestions
Date: 21 Mar 2003
We have been looking at Newport 30's recently and am wondering if there are any things in particular I should keep an eye out for. Any advice out there?
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