Autopilot on a C25

[Stan Linado]

I am installing a Raymarine ST2000 on an '89 Catalina 25. Before I start drilling holes in the tiller and cockpit I'd like to know how critical the position is on the tiller. Can I install the tiller pin 2-3 inches aft and what will be the consequences? Otherwise the pushrod comes directly into the vertical center of the curved tiller. Thanks for any help.

 

[$tingy Sailor]

From my research before installing an ST1000 on my C22, the distance to the tiller pin from the rudder centerline is the most critical dimension. It's probably the best design compromise between leverage and steering speed. I imagine that if you mounted it much farther aft, you would have to compensate for it heavily in the autopilot tuning settings and it could possible not have enough leverage to correct steering in heavy weather helm conditions. I recommend that you contact Raymarine tech support before committing to such a deviation.

Here's a link to the post that I wrote about it on my blog:
http://stingysailor.wordpress.com/2014/07/26/autopilot-solution/

 

[Stan Linado]

Thanks, Stingy for your reply. It was right on the mark with what Raymarine had to say. The problem I am having is that the location required by the tiller bracket on the tiller slants and as result the tiller pin is not in a vertical position. I am going to have to fabricate a wedge or bend the bracket to compensate for the angle. Probably, the easiest solution is to bend the bracket.

 

[TEM58]

I haven't yet installed one on my Cat 25, so can't offer any first-hand knowledge. The discussion pops up fairly regularly on the link below, so you may want to check it out. I've seen mention of a cantilever mount used on the tiller to compensate for the curve. Good luck.

http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/default.asp?CAT_ID=1

 

[Stu Jackson]

You can get an under tiller mount for the pin, that's what I did. Don't use the cantilever mount or extenders. I put the base on the starboard seat after epoxying a plywood support beneath. Try to keep the distances as "normal" as possible per the installation manual.

 

[$tingy Sailor]

Stan,

Is it a lot of slant? The pin doesn't have to perfectly vertical. It's a ball and socket type joint, meant to allow for a certain amount of up and down movement of the tiller. If it doesn't bind when you raise the tiller as much as you expect to during normal use, you're probably okay and don't need any special modifications. Yours will just have a certain amount of pre-rise to it.

 

[Stan Linado]

Thanks for the help. After thinking about all the advice that pointed in one direction regarding how important it is to follow the installation instructions to the letter I decided to bite the bullet. I cut an access port in the back of the gas locker so I could reach up to install a pedestal mount on the port side coaming. This enabled me to mount the S2000 at the correct height and distance.

 

[$tingy Sailor]

Looks good! How well does he steer? Got him dialed in yet? I nicknamed mine Ray (Marine, that is). "Port ten degrees, Ray!" Makes me feel like a real Captain

 

[CaptDon01]

Unlike the C-22,(unless you have a Rudder-Craft rudder), the C-25 has a balanced rudder, so the distance from the pivot point to the pin isn't that critical. The further away, the more leverage but less travel, the closer to the pivot point the more travel, but requires more force to push the tiller. The ST-2000 shouldn't have any trouble handling the tiller on the C-25. I kind of went through the same situation mounting the ST-2000 on our C-22 MK-II and choose the position slightly forward of the recommended distance to the tiller mount. The critical measurement is ensuring at the exact center position of the autopilot is at the exact center position of the tiller, and it's at 90 degrees from the center line of the boat. Yes I lost a slight amount of tiller travel, but it's not been an issue with hundreds of miles logged under the steady course of the autopilot. The pin needs to be straight up and down, as well as the Autohelm mount on the combing,(or where ever it's mounter). I didn't want to install any brackets on the tiller because then I would've had to have a custom tiller cover made.

Absolutely LOVE our Raymarine ST2000. Couple it up with a wireless remote and you have the ultimate steering machine!

Don

 

[hewebb]

I installed a tiller pilot on my Catalina 25 and was able to make the dimensions work. I built some alum blocks for the coming and tiller. There are photos on the International Catalina WEB site.

http://www.catalina-capri-25s.net/cgi-local/MBR_gallery.cgi?Album+2095+73