What year did Simrad(sometimes called Navico) release(start selling)
WP32 autopilot ?

Howdy sidney777-ga,

From this Saltwater Communications press release, we find out the WP32 was
announced in 2003.
http://www.saltwaterpr.com/asp/story/story.asp?id=1629&lang=ENG

"Simrad?s popular Wheel Pilot system, the WP30 has been upgraded and will be
on display at the Simrad show stand. The WP32 offers the same
powerful, self-contained functionality as the WP30 but with full
SimNet compatibility, which
makes it even easier to install than before. The WP32?s precise engineering,
accurate operation and excellent connectivity to other instruments will make
it a popular unit in its target 40ft sailing market.

The majority of Simrad?s new product range will be introduced to the marine
industry at METS in November 2003."

The WP32 was not available to the public until 2004.  From the "Boating
Industry Canada" publication dated February 2004.
http://www.boatingindustry.ca/images/21935sbMag.pdf

"Tiller and Wheel Pilots. ... WP32 ... Call for the new Simrad 2004 Catalog"

Note that the Cyber-Marine.com web site added the "new" WP32 to their site
in 2004.
http://www.cyber-marine.com/product_info.php/products_id/23560

"This product was added to our catalog on Monday 21 June, 2004."

Somewhat circumstantial is that the WP32 Manual (1.0) has a 2004 copyright,
as noted in that manual from the Simrad web site.
http://distributor.simrad.com/docarchive/download_simrad.asp?dafid=840

If you need any clarification, please feel free to ask.


Search strategy:

Google search on: WP32 Simrad OR Navico
://www.google.com/search?q=WP32+Simrad+OR+Navico

Went to the the Simrad web site.
http://www.simrad.com/

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher

---

Clarification of Answer by denco-ga on 21 Aug 2005 01:32 PDT

Apologies, but the formatting of a section of my answer did not
appear correctly.  The excerpt from the Saltwater Communications
press release should be formatted as follows.

"Simrad?s popular Wheel Pilot system, the WP30 has been upgraded
and will be on display at the Simrad show stand. The WP32 offers
the same powerful, self-contained functionality as the WP30 but
with full SimNet compatibility, which makes it even easier to
install than before. The WP32?s precise engineering, accurate
operation and excellent connectivity to other instruments will
make it a popular unit in its target 40ft sailing market."

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher

I was going to bid on WP32 autopilot on e-bay, but I did not know how
old it was.  Being in use in the sun,rain, and the older it gets, the
less likley it would last longer.  The seller thought it was UP TO 10
YRS OLD. (BULL),WE know better!!   Anyway the bidding ended and I do
ot like buying things that the seller does not know basic info; like
age of item.  THANKS, JOHN  -SIDNEY777, So here is a tie in to E-Bay
for commercial purposes that I would like to work from home getting
buyer-seller information on items for sale,kinda like a relic
investigator..

My pleasure, John, and thanks for the 5 star rating!

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher