Coastmaster AP - Repair or Replace?

[markpj23]

Boat we're about to purchase has a Coastmaster CM500 autopilot that is not functioning at the moment. Seller promises to have it repaired prior to sale.


The AP is late 1980s vintage and the boat has hydraulic steering gear. Wondering if it's prudent to just change the AP brain & control heads to new units? Assuming the hydraulics are generic and would work with any AP...

 

[Comodave]

I am just replacing the electronics in our new boat. The old AP had a Type 1 pump. I am keeping the pump and replacing the rest of it. The AP doesn’t really know what brand pump is hooked to it. Also much easier because you don’t have to break into the hydraulic system.

 

[Simi 60]

I doubt anyone will be fixng a coursemaster ap of that vintage