Anyone put an autopilot on an h26 or h260?

Jan 19, 2010
12,362
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
Anyone here have an autopilot on an H26 or H260 and if so... do you like it... would you recommend it?

I've owned 10 different sailboats in my lifetime but I've never sailed one with an autopilot. I have successfully used tiller-to-sheet self steering before but not a true autopilot. I'm planning some longer trips single handed for this summer and want to get some first hand knowledge of what people have experienced with one on an H26.

If I go this route, I think I'd like one that does not use a GPS but rather a compass and hopefully something dependable for under $500.

I found this one... Raymarine ST1000 but I can't find a spec. sheet for it.

RECOMMENDATIONS???????

Thanks in advance,
 
Feb 20, 2011
7,990
Island Packet 35 Tucson, AZ/San Carlos, MX
Anyone here have an autopilot on an H26 or H260 and if so... do you like it... would you recommend it?

I've owned 10 different sailboats in my lifetime but I've never sailed one with an autopilot. I have successfully used tiller-to-sheet self steering before but not a true autopilot. I'm planning some longer trips single handed for this summer and want to get some first hand knowledge of what people have experienced with one on an H26.

If I go this route, I think I'd like one that does not use a GPS but rather a compass and hopefully something dependable for under $500.

I found this one... Raymarine ST1000 but I can't find a spec. sheet for it.

RECOMMENDATIONS???????

Thanks in advance,
Get the 2000. You won't be sorry.
 
Sep 20, 2014
1,320
Rob Legg RL24 Chain O'Lakes
I've not used one on an H26, but I have one for my RL 24. If your questioning the value of autopilot on that size boat, I will tell you, it is well worth it. I don't do long trips, but I still like having it. I even use it when motoring. Maybe I am not typical, but I sail for the relaxation, not because I like to drive. I would just as soon be a passenger on a boat than the skipper. Auotpilot gives me that, particularly in rolling waves sailing down wind. Autopilot finds its rhythm and sails the boat much straighter than I ever could. If you are not dead set on buying new, check Ebay. I bought a used Autohelm 800 for less than $70 bucks, although typical used will be just under $200.
 
Jan 19, 2010
12,362
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
Thanks All

I'll keep an eye on eBay and West Marine (for a sale)

:)
 
Sep 20, 2014
1,320
Rob Legg RL24 Chain O'Lakes
For Ebay, search on the word "tiller pilot" and "autohelm" in separate searches. That is what I found gave me consistent worthwhile results. Took me about 6 months to get the deal I got, but persistence paid off. You probably won't get as good of a deal as I did, but $150 bucks would not be an unreasonable expectation. I would also opt for a digital unit, identified by push buttons, rather than the analog units that had a dial on them. The digital units have some learning that they do, so that it figures out how the boat responds to rudder changes. The only problem I have seen is when the boat is moving too slow, it sometimes gets confused due to lack of response. Other than that, it works very well.
 
Sep 20, 2014
1,320
Rob Legg RL24 Chain O'Lakes
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Navico-TP10...f040fff&pid=100005&rk=1&rkt=6&sd=191727470357

Stay quiet till Sunday afternoon. Don't let anyone know you are interested until you put your bid in, in the last 30 seconds. You do have to be careful. Their script that runs the count down clock is not perfectly accurate, and of course Ebay doesn't care. I've also noticed Ebay's clock is not in sync with my atomic synced clock.
 
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Ward H

.
Nov 7, 2011
3,645
Catalina 30 Mk II Barnegat, NJ
Get the 2000. You won't be sorry.
Gotta agree. When I researched buying mine most everyone said to get the 2000 because the inner workings were metal and better built. Response is also faster. The Raymarine website has the manuals for both units.

I single hand even when the Admiral is on board. The TP makes sailing much more enjoyable.
 
Jan 19, 2010
12,362
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Navico-TP100-Autopilot/262126481861?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIC.MBE&ao=1&asc=34575&meid=b21cc0948bf04d098e24abd66f040fff&pid=100005&rk=1&rkt=6&sd=191727470357

Stay quiet till Sunday afternoon. Don't let anyone know you are interested until you put your bid in, in the last 30 seconds. You do have to be careful. Their script that runs the count down clock is not perfectly accurate, and of course Ebay doesn't care. I've also noticed Ebay's clock is not in sync with my atomic synced clock.
Thanks Dave

I actually do a lot of buying and selling on eBay and I use a third party site called "Auction Sniper" It will place your bid for you with 3 seconds left on the eBay clock.
 
Jun 4, 2004
392
Hunter 31 and 25 and fomerly 23.5 Stockton State Park Marina; MO
AP20.JPG I have one on my 23.5 and love it. ( ST1000) In very light air it hunts to much but in normal sailing its great and a must while getting sails up and down while single handing.
 
Jan 19, 2010
12,362
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Navico-TP100-Autopilot/262126481861?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIC.MBE&ao=1&asc=34575&meid=b21cc0948bf04d098e24abd66f040fff&pid=100005&rk=1&rkt=6&sd=191727470357

Stay quiet till Sunday afternoon. Don't let anyone know you are interested until you put your bid in, in the last 30 seconds. You do have to be careful. Their script that runs the count down clock is not perfectly accurate, and of course Ebay doesn't care. I've also noticed Ebay's clock is not in sync with my atomic synced clock.
Dave

I put a max bid of $120... somebody got it for $125.... I'll keep trying.

Thanks again....r
 
Sep 20, 2014
1,320
Rob Legg RL24 Chain O'Lakes
That was the story of my life. The one thing you don't know is what the guy bid that got it for for $125 and if his max would have been more than you are willing to pay. For the first go around, that's not that bad to miss. Its all a trade off as to how long you are patient to wait, VS what you are willing to pay. First one I missed went for $130, so the next one I bid $150 on. It went for almost $200. Its just one of those things. You just keep trying till its your turn.

Just as a side note, the unit I got was listed condition unknown. I took a chance, assuming I could probably fix it. As it turned out, it really looked like a store demo, that had not ever been used.
 
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Jan 19, 2010
12,362
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
That was the story of my life. The one thing you don't know is what the guy bid that got it for for $125 and if his max would have been more than you are willing to pay. For the first go around, that's not that bad to miss. Its all a trade off as to how long you are patient to wait, VS what you are willing to pay. First one I missed went for $130, so the next one I bid $150 on. It went for almost $200. Its just one of those things. You just keep trying till its your turn.

Just as a side note, the unit I got was listed condition unknown. I took a chance, assuming I could probably fix it. As it turned out, it really looked like a store demo, that had not ever been used.

Yeah, I hear you. eBay is great if you are patient. I once got a hollow body guitar that way. It was listed as "B-Stock". It was an Epiphone Dot in a custom case and they put the wrong paint job on it. The paint job was for another model. I got it for $180. The case was worth that much. I'll keep trying for the autopilot. I just got this boat so I also need to run down all of the blown fuses and burnt bulbs. Joy of a boat :)
 
Aug 11, 2011
857
O'day 30 313 Georgetown MD
Snip "Gotta agree. When I researched buying mine most everyone said to get the 2000 because the inner workings were metal and better built. Response is also faster. The Raymarine website has the manuals for both units."

I believe the big plus of the ST2000 over the ST1000 is that the ST2000 is screw and worm vs. the ST1000 is belt driven. Huge difference in lifespan and accuracy. I use the ST2000, (called Ray) especially when managing my spinnaker. That extra set of hands is worth it. An upgrade for my wishlist is the remote, so I can steer the boat from any part of the boat.
IMG_20120715_081230.jpg
 
Jan 19, 2010
12,362
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston

I believe the big plus of the ST2000 over the ST1000 is that the ST2000 is screw and worm vs. the ST1000 is belt driven. Huge difference in lifespan and accuracy. I use the ST2000, (called Ray) especially when managing my spinnaker. That extra set of hands is worth it. An upgrade for my wishlist is the remote, so I can steer the boat from any part of the boat.
Thanks Twodzus

That sort of pre-knowledge helps a lot in a buying decision. I'm hunting on eBay for a good deal... so my price point for the 2000 should be higher than the 1000....

I did a good bit of sailing over the past week. Mostly light air but I kept thinking about how nice it would be to leave the tiller. :)
 
Feb 26, 2004
22,759
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
I believe the big plus of the ST2000 over the ST1000 is that the ST2000 is screw and worm vs. the ST1000 is belt driven. Huge difference in lifespan and accuracy.
Lifespan yes: bigger stronger motor, too. Accuracy? They both steer just fine, not sure what you mean by accuracy.

They do teach you how to trim your sails well 'cuz if the ap is fighting, your sails aren't trimmed right.

Buy Don Guillette's Sail Trim book, best ever written, available right here on this site.
 
Aug 11, 2011
857
O'day 30 313 Georgetown MD
Accuracy?
As the ST1000 is belt driven, after time the belt is stretched due to wear and heat, leading to slop in the steering resulting in steering accuracy.
 
Jan 19, 2010
12,362
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
Hey everyone...

Thanks a million for your help on this. I just scored a SIMRAD TP10 on eBay for $193 w/shipping.

I'll probably have some installation questions in the future but for now... I have a plan.

;)