Autopilots for tillers. Anybody?

[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 holding 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 are 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..

 

[Chris Patterson]

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 holding 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 are 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 been 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..

 

[CaptGregg]

Re: The conclusion

Is that the Admiral, the racer? in the last pic?

 

[Chris Patterson]

Yeah, that's her. She's a little out of her element on this boat, that's why I bought the other keel boat. Spinnakers are her specialty, so I had to get something I can fly a big kite off of. Every time she conks her head on the cabin top, I wince a little. You know how it is, ya gotta keep the missus happy...

 

[CaptGregg]

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..

I'm sorry but RayMarine doesn't make anything that looks as good as your last pilot, Northern Accent or not! HA!

I posted my question in the wrong place, did you have a tiller tamer or something before you bought the auto pilot?

 

[Chris Patterson]

Gregg, I have variations thereof. None will work. Even on that video that you posted, if will look at it again closely, you'll see what I mean. I DO like the looks of it better than the tamer proper, what with the trigger release and all. But in that video, look how when they set it. The helmsman will jerk his hand off the tiller like it's a snake or something, and then almost immediately has to make an adjustment. The only advantage I can see is, is when you tack. It gives you that moment of reprieve to reset your sheets, then back to the business at hand. But when underway, the time the tiller is left unattended, is no more than opening a drink, or lighting a smoke, etc. Damn sure are not going to the foredeck to do anything, nor take your eyes off the situation for a moment........and then grab the tiller again.
Even with the autopilot, you can watch it making small adjustments almost continually. Even with it in your hand, you make these small adjustments all the time, without even realizing it. It's just second nature. Sort of like driving down the road. Lock your steering wheel in one direction, without moving it one iota, and see what happens. It will drift. And with the vagaries of a boat, wind, current, rudder play, the moron in his compensation boat with the wake, you sort of get the idea.
Now I'm not opposed to steering the boat altogether, (well, yes I am), but at this point in time, it is the best money I've spent in a long while.

By the way, here is a cheaper alternative. I built one of these years ago for a Pearson I had down at Hilton Head. It's called a linear actuator. It's the same principle as the auto pilot, and that it has an arm that goes in and out, simply by reversing the polarity of the incoming power. Connected a long 4 conductor cable to it, sort of like a drop cord wire, had a little pistol grip on it, with a double pole, double throw toggle switch, that was spring loaded to the center. I never had a single soul on that boat as long as I owned it, (my getaway), and I don't think that after installing it, I EVER touched the tiller again. They sell them at Northern Tool, etc. Takes a wee bit of engineering, but not that much. You've gotta bear in mind. If a dummy like me can do it, anybody can.
I had never seen it done before, I thought of it, and built it, so trying to find installation plans or ideas on it may be difficult, I don't know..

Very simple..

 

[Merlin Clark]

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.

Might have been a local hire numbskull just filling a seat?
I was in the area and made it to the Annapolis show one year. My friend and I (took our shoes off like the sign said) stepped onto a 30 something foot sloop and up from below pops a cute little day hire bobble-head to tell us to "get off 'cause you're making it rock".

 

[Merlin Clark]

I'm saving up my beer cans Chris- I'll get one someday.
Maybe I should drink more?

 

[CaptGregg]

Hey Chris,

Everytime I open my mouth in here, I express my lack of experience with a tiller and a few sheets huh? I hope God defies the local coronary expert and He allows me to stay on this earth a bit longer to gain some experience (only a fraction of what you got will make me content *grin*). I've been reading your 3 paragraphs for 28 minutes and I still didn't get all of it with exception of 1) those little screw on rope jobs are not worth the plastic they're built out of and 2) there's a cheaper alternative not necessarily built for sailing purposes that can be configured to do what I want to do. But yes, I want something that will get me away from the weather helm until I learn how to trim the sheets to where there is no weather helm if possible (I've been reading but not yet convinced until I perform it myself).

Chris, I'm glad you're here.

 

[CaptGregg]

Oh yeah Chris, you brought up Pearson in your post, Pearson Ariel is my favorite lady of that line. Her wine glass stern is hard to look away from.

 

[allen-deckard]

Hey Chris,

Everytime I open my mouth in here, I express my lack of experience with a tiller and a few sheets huh? I hope God defies the local coronary expert and He allows me to stay on this earth a bit longer to gain some experience (only a fraction of what you got will make me content *grin*). I've been reading your 3 paragraphs for 28 minutes and I still didn't get all of it with exception of 1) those little screw on rope jobs are not worth the plastic they're built out of and 2) there's a cheaper alternative not necessarily built for sailing purposes that can be configured to do what I want to do. But yes, I want something that will get me away from the weather helm until I learn how to trim the sheets to where there is no weather helm if possible (I've been reading but not yet convinced until I perform it myself).

Chris, I'm glad you're here.

I just wanted to make one small comment about the cheep screw on rope jobs not bei g worth it.
I have to disagree on that one.
I have an autopilot but still use my tiller tamer quite often.
First at the dock keeps my tiller nice and secure when im not there.
Second and most often in short hops when im steering and just need to go forward for a few seconds or grab something from below real quick.
I dond care for the autopilot around the harbor when things are busy maybe thats just me.
I also dont care for it that much on gusty days I want to be able to turn up at a moments notice if needed getting the autopilot off the pin on the tiller is easy but just makes me nervious that in an emergency id not think of jerking it off when i needed to.

In these places i like the tiller tamer.........however I LOVE my autopilot a good deal of the time.

Anyway thats a long way around the barn just to say I wouldnt say the tiller tamer is worthless.

 

[shipwreck66]

I had the 1000, loved it. Beware though, it is VERY fragile, mine got thumped on the deck, and that was that, it was just a baby rattle after that.