Auto pilot advice

[Iriegal]

Hey all - I've been sailing my new (to me) Oday 272 wing keel for about two months now. I really love this boat, but I've noticed that she does not hold true to course unless I man the tiller at all times. I single-hand so this is a challenge I've got to remedy asap. I tried rigging a homemade tiller tamer, but it just didn't handle the way I wanted it to. I've decided to buy an auto pilot, and I think I've got my choices narrowed down to the Raymarine ST2000+. Does anyone have any input on this for Odays? I'm just concerned that it's not strong enough to handle the tiller to my boat. Any advice on tuning that might help?

Thanks!

 

[justsomeguy]

Sail trim will go a long way in reducing your tiller pressure.

The ST2000 is supposed to be able to handle a 10,000 pound boat.

 

[Chief RA]

Tie line across cockpit to stern cleats. Install a jam cleat under the tiller. Snap line into cleat and adjust tiller to desired position. Chief

 

[Stu Jackson]

jsg is right. An autopilot will teach you better sail trim, because once you figure out that the ap is working hard, a little light will go off over your head and you'll say: "Oh, better sail trim will balance the boat and the ap won't have to work so hard!"

Since you already mentioned that you're fighting the tiller, that's why: sail trim.

"When in doubt, let it out." Most new sailors over trim their sail, especially the mainsail.

Also, buy Don Guilette's Sail Trim book, available right here on this site. The very best sail trim book ever written.

 

[Iriegal]

That sounds like exactly what I need to do - work on sail trim. This is my third year sailing, and my first with this new boat, so I still have a lot to learn. My last boat was a Chrysler 22, and she had me spoiled - she ran true to course all day, and I only had to hold the tiller to tack! I'll get the auto pilot and continue to play with sail trim for this new boat. I'll get her figured out eventually. Thanks for the responses!

 

[Ron20324]

I was sailing this past weekend in good wind, and leaning back the stern rail. A crew member said it's nice having an autopilot. I said, "yes, it is... but it's not ON". Sail time was the AP of the day!

 

[Joe]

Balancing your sails is fundamental to tiller pilot performance.

 

[Ken Cross]

I love the autopilot

This is our 3rd sailboat with an autopilot and I wouldn't be without one.
It is a convenience, but also holds heading even with bad trim. On our last boat (an Juan 28 at 6600 lbs empty weight) we had a Simrad tp10 it worked just great. Our first boat had the ST1000 and it was also just fine. There is no benefit to buying an autopilot heavier than you need. I never had one that would follow a programmed course, but holding heading is enough for us.

Just going up front to fixed a fowled line, the boat stays on course.

I find I'm a much better helmsman when I'm a lookout rather than being tied to the tiller or wheel.

Going downwind wing on wing, if I manually steer I could (and have had) accidental jibes. The autopilot doesn't loose concentration and maintains heading which tends to prevent that.

I also like to sit on the high side rail where I can't easily reach the tiller or wheel and autopilot makes that easy.

They use very little electrical power and the tiller style are exceedingly easy to install. When we put the boat away we move it inside out of sight so it's not likely to be stolen.

Ken

 

[Iriegal]

Re: I love the autopilot

I just ordered my autopilot. I called Raymarine and they recommended that I go ahead and get the 2000+ because the weight of my boat is right on the cusp of the max for the 1000. They said it would handle better in heavy weather if I invested in one size larger so I took their advice.

Perhaps one of my issues with sail trim is that I keep taking advice from guys who race, and who are accustomed to pushing their boats to the limit. If one of those guys crews with me, someone definitely has to hold the tiller at all times. If I ask them to ease off the main, they think that I'm scared of the heel! Sailing like that simply isn't an option for me when I'm solo. Not yet anyway. ;-)

 

[Stu Jackson]

While some could and would argue that Raymarine wanted you to buy the bigger auotpilot, those of us with experience would agree with them.

It's not so much for bigger conditions, it's that the 2000 is a different and better design. Read the specs of the two. Even if you're not an engineer, you'll see the difference.

In either case, you're the skipper of your boat. Tell the racers to cool it and ask them to teach you, not just beat up on your boat.

Good luck, and buy the sail trim book, save yourself years of doing it wrong.