Autopilots for tillers. Anybody?

[Chris Patterson]

Well, as the title sorta implies, the warden says I gotta have an autopilot. And while I deeply do not want to throw 500 bucks or so at this boat, she's paying for it. I'm already wanting to get geared up for my other project, (which already has more electronics on it than a plane, WITH A.P.), and I just don't want the hassle more or less. O.K., enough whining. A man could have worse problems I guess. And yes, I have already looked at the 35 thousand dollar boat that is a big reference point of these boats, and I have some strong opinions about that as well that I'll keep to myself. So, anybody out there fool with a tiller pilot? I've checked them out with the leading marine suppliers, you know, how much, etc. But which one should I get? With or without remotes? What has been your experience with it? I'm already figuring an extra battery as well I suppose.
Sorry, I'm semi ranting again. Tell me something people..

 

[decktosser]

You will love it once you have it. I have had a ST 1000 on several of my boats including my present C22 and they are a wonderful addition. I would not be without one. They do not draw a lot of current. I can use mine all day and still have power in the battery. I have only one battery on the boat.

 

[decktosser]

You might also consider buying on EBay. I purchased my last one there and saved $100 over the West Marine price.

 

[CaptDon01]

Our first experience with an autopilot was on our Capri-18 for our trip to Catalina Island. It made the trip wonderful! They allow you to sit back and enjoy the ride while the autopilot takes care of the tiller. On the Capri, we had the Raymarine ST1000 model. Worked great except in a following sea condition. It just was too slow to keep up with the boats movement, even in the close course mode. When we purchased our C-22, I spent the extra bucks to up grade to the ST2000 model. A way over kill for the size of our boat, but it responds twice as quick. Last summer we sailed out of San Diego for Catalina Island and back. The ST2000 took the helm for all but maybe 5 miles of the 217 miles we covered during the 8 day adventure. The faster response of the ST2000 made all the difference in a follow sea state. It was money well spent.

Don

 

[Chris Patterson]

Hey guys, thanks for the input. And yes, I am considering the 2000, simply because I don't want to be let down by the 1000.
But am I correct in that I need 9" of extension? A 4", and a 5" actually?
I'd really like to order all the right stuff at one time, for the obvious reasons.
Maybe I ought to just hire somebody to steer the thing. Then, a steward, cook, etc.
Then all these folks could just call me at home, and let me know how it went....

 

[GorillaToast]

Chris,

There are non-electronic options out there also. Have you checked into any of these?

http://www.blueanarchy.org/selfsteering/index.html
http://www.jsward.com/steering/index.shtml
http://sfbaysss.org/tipsbook/SinglehandedTips.pdf

Also view some of these videos

Cruising LeaLea

They sail from Calif to Hawaii and back using sheet-to-tiller steering.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Hey guys, thanks for the input. And yes, I am considering the 2000, simply because I don't want to be let down by the 1000.
But am I correct in that I need 9" of extension? A 4", and a 5" actually?

Most of the AP vendors do NOT recommend using longer or more than one extender.

You might want to look at different mounting arrangements that would move the support of the AP closer to the tiller, which would perhaps include putting a bracket underneath the tiller instead of on top.

The C22 and C25 cockpits are pretty much the same (the cushions from our C22 fit perfectly on our C25), so try the C25 Association forum IIRC they have many pictures or different installs. I put the sleeve into the starboard seat on my C25, no extender with a bracket underneath the tiller. We just slid the cushion forward - ended up having a nice backrest!

 

[CaptDon01]

I believe I read somewhere in the Raymarine installation instructions that they don't recommend extension length maximum of 9", which is right where our extension comes to. Raymarine makes multiple lengths of extensions so you can use whichever combination it takes to come up with the length needed. Only problem is they cost WAY too much, all the same price. Check on the internet for the best price on the extensions.

Don

 

[Chris Patterson]

Yeah, that price IS kinda over the top. I'd like to know the thread size and pitch, shoot, I'd make one...
And if you have the time, you oughta click on that pdf that G.T. posted. A whole lot of cool information about MANY things, thanks Bill.

 

[CaptDon01]

It's a special adaptor with a very fine thread, guess one could be made if you already had the equipment.....me, I just had to take it in the shorts and buy the right adaptors.

Don

 

[Conrad151]

Simrad or Raymarine ? Pros and cons?

 

[Chris Patterson]

Yep, the two brands either/or interest me as well. It seems as if the Raymarine is the cheapest, and looks to be the most popular. I can't really find where many people have weighed in on the Simrad.

 

[Ken]

I have the Simrad, chose it because of issues others I've sailed with had with the "other" one your looking at. Although they seem to have been more than willing to make them right. In the end it's going to be your choice... You might want to consider stepping up from the 1000's Everyone I know that has used them said it was a huge mistake not stepping up to the next one... I have the TP22 couldn't be happier...

Now remember, this is just an opinion....

 

[paphman]

We have a Simrad TP 10 and love it. We used it last season for the first time and I too would not want to be with out it. Get one and you will not be sorry.

Dale

 

[allen-deckard]

Ok my understanding while in the market last year for a tiller auto pilot.

I ended up buying a ray marine. The reason why after I went to the annapolis boat show and talking to both company reps

I wanted a completely self contained unit that would hold a course and not just hold the tiller.

From talking to the factory rep the sim rad is designed to work with other units but alone will hold the tiller but not hold a course. I argued with the sales rep a good bit wondering how for the price exactly how was it any better than a tiller tamer

My ray marine will hold a course along with auto tack with a one button push leaving me hands free to trim sheets while solo sailing.


Now if Simrad had more features than the factory rep told me about then I appoligize but when I bought mine last year he completely turned me off there product at least as much as raymarine sold me on there's.

 

[Sail123]

My CM32 sloop came with a 1000 and a 2000. Have not tried them yet. Also has remote control. Threads like this makes me want to at least try it out.

 

[Chris Patterson]

Wow, interesting news on the Simrad, I had no idea of that. Man might as well lash the tiller off to the cleats. Thanks Alan.
And Gary, if you decide on one or the other of those two, sell me the other one, haha.

 

[FourPoints]

Ok my understanding while in the market last year for a tiller auto pilot.

I ended up buying a ray marine. The reason why after I went to the annapolis boat show and talking to both company reps

I wanted a completely self contained unit that would hold a course and not just hold the tiller.

From talking to the factory rep the sim rad is designed to work with other units but alone will hold the tiller but not hold a course. I argued with the sales rep a good bit wondering how for the price exactly how was it any better than a tiller tamer

My ray marine will hold a course along with auto tack with a one button push leaving me hands free to trim sheets while solo sailing.

Now if Simrad had more features than the factory rep told me about then I appoligize but when I bought mine last year he completely turned me off there product at least as much as raymarine sold me on there's.

I was looking at the manual for the tp-22 yesterday and it most certainly will hold a 'course' on its own as a stand alone unit, but it gauges the course off the internal fluxgate compass (same as the st-2000), so it is really just holding a heading. If you hook up a GPS input source it will auto compensate for side slip as well as cross current and hold a true course. If you have wind input it will also hold angle to the wind.

And yes it has auto tack. The Rep you talked to was an idiot, the st-2000 and the tp-22 are direct competition products and have very similar features.

 

[allen-deckard]

That's cool.
When I talked to that rep believe it or not I argued with him at length about why in the world anyone would want it if it wasn't holding a course heading.


Not that it matters for me already have my unit but appreciate the info correction.

 

[Chris Patterson]

The conclusion

O.K. I didn't realize that it had been so long since I started this thread. But I figured the outcome should be here as well. I will spare you the nightmare of ordering this through West Marine, as I can not remember the last time I've been so p****d off at an organization of ANY type, and I may not be through with this transgression yet. I'm waiting on my temper to subbside still...
But, I went with the Raymarine ST2000. I didn't want to get the 1000, and wish later that I hadn't been so cheap. Because it was not cheap to begin with, it's not just everyday I throw 600+ bucks at a boat. I had to do like everybody else, and save Coke cans, steal the wifes jewelry, you know, the classics. (O.K., O.K., yeah, she bought it). It was very simple to install, the directions are very clear. I more or less emmulated Chip Fords install, except I used a single piece of 3/4" marine ply, cut 2" X 3" to go on the inside of the coaming. Slathered it up with West System 105, and 4 S.S. screws from the top holing it, with a drop of Sikaflex 291 around the screw heads.

I can not describe what a pleasant feeling it was, to be able to let that accursed tiller go, so I could do other things. Lashing, or "tiller tamers" may give you a seconds reprieve, but only that. The currents, and wind here on the "Graveyard of the Atlantic" demands constant attention to the steer.

Now I know that there are people out there that like the feel of the tiller, (or wheel), in their hand. I am not one of them. I would rather eat a snake, as helm the boat. There is more important things to do on a sailing vessel than hold on to a steering mechanism of any kind. That's just me. To each, his own.

These pictures were taken first time out with it, I went forward to pitch the main, the jibs already flying.

And there is NO WAY on Gods green earth would I have benn able to do that, (and take the picture as well), without the pilot...

I threw in a picture of my last pilot. I replaced it, because it made too much noise. And had a northern accent..