Autopilots

lucas_deboer · Aug 21, 2005

Hi Sebastian,
I use a Simrad TP10, the device is already over 10 years old now and it came with my Vega when I bought her last year. It works fine. Low power consumption and accurate steering in almost all circumstances. I would definately recommend the TP10. A reason I could imagine for preferring the Autohelm is that it has got NMEA-in, which makes it possible to connect it to a GPS. You cannot connect the TP10 to another device.
Best,
Lucas
V2122 'Hakuna Matata'

maarten_vanemmerik · Aug 21, 2005

Sebastian,

I looked at both the Simrad (299 EUR) and ST1000+ (329 EUR) and
decided to pay the extra 30 EUR for the ST1000+ because of the
NMEA/Seatalk interface and AutoSeastate (built-in software to filter
out wave movements). It also has a LCD display with a compass but
since this is prone to getting damaged one may actually consider
this as a disadvantage. Prices seem to vary a lot so it is wortwhile
to look around. I bought mine at Dekker Watersport, dé grootste watersportwinkel van Nederland.

If you follow the official installation procedure you have to put a
hole for the mounting in the locker door. I decided to drill the
hole more towards the stern, about 5 cm away from the locker door.
Compared to the official installation this means stearing is a bit
more direct and heavier for the autopilot but in case of the Vega
that is actually an advantage because the boat is light on the
rudder anyway and needs bit more travel.

Make sure you use epoxy. I initially just pressed the copper
mounting in the hole (to make sure it all works before permanent
glueing) but that quickly damaged the wood after a short sea trip.
To address the issue with the vertical mounting position of the
rudder side connector I considered the various options discussed at
this forum and decided to try tightening the bold for the rudder so
it stays in position when you lift it. This works fine.

The electrical connection is straight forward. Just drill a hole and
run two wires (mass and power). There is a screw fitting in the
connector so you don\'t need soldering. Make sure you run the power
via a fuse (3-5 A). After installation you have to follow a
procedure to calibrate the internal compass by sailing a few large
circles as explained in the manual. You only need to do this if you
want to make sure the LCD compass shows the same course as your
other compass.

I now use the Autopilot almost permanently, except for the final
stages of docking. The only thing I want to add is a extra clip in
the cockpit to fix the autohelm when going over to manual steering.
The idea is that you leave the autohelm mounted on the cockpit side
but just disconnect the rudder side, rotate it away and press the
rudder side of the autohelm in a clip so it stays fixed and does not
fall on the cockpit sole as happened several times.

Maarten
2904

moondance5003 · Aug 22, 2005

Hi,

There is a system of auto steering using just line, blocks and
rubber tubing that attaches to the tiller and the main sheet. Cost
is almost nill and I have toyed with the idea of trying this. Has
anyone else in the group heard of this?

Robert

pelagicasd · Aug 22, 2005

Did Raymarine used to be Raytheon? If so Autohelm, Raytheon and one other
company were all the same. Judy used to sell for West Marine. When the
Autohelm autopilot went south on her Hallberg Rasey they wanted $400 for a
new mother board. This was the price for someone who sold their stuff. We
used a Navico (now Simrad) and were very pleased with it. It was not the
bottom line one and also would would interface with the GPS etc. We did have
a remote for it and used it a lot. Last trip to Mexico it was making some
funny sounds. We found support through Simrad to be excellent in the past.
Walt, Lyric

pjacobs55 · Aug 22, 2005

I bought a new ST 2000 and it gave a lot of trouble in any kind of a sea.
Finally it crapped out on a 36 hour motoring run and I sent it back - bad
motherboard. Fixed under warranty but I wasn't too impressed. It has worked
well since then, however.

It does have a dangerous design flaw, however, in that if power is
momentarily interrupted for any reason (and these digital units are
exquisitely sensitive to power supply, unlike the old Tillermaster), it
defaults to "compass", or non-steering, mode. So if you didn't catch the
"beep" that occurs when the power comes back to the unit, and were down
below or whatever, it could be trouble. Much better if it had flash memory
or whatever, to recall the old course to steer on reset.

I followed the directions re mounting. Therefore I have to remove the unit
and the extension to open the stbd locker. I now believe I could have easily
gotten away with placing the mounting pad so it would not interfere with
opening the locker (by putting mount just aft of locker lid). Likely I'll
move it a few inches this winter.Journeyman 1171Nicholas Walsh
Nicholas H. Walsh P.A.
111 Commercial Street
Portland Maine 04101
Tel. 207/772-2191
fax 207/774-3940

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zippydoda_captain · Aug 22, 2005

I have been using a Navico TP20 this season which are being sold heavily
discounted (replaced by TP22). So far it's been trouble free and
interfaces to the GPS. I have installed the mounting socket just aft of
the starboard locker lid.

Ray (V1720)

Ray Wilton

Ship and Field Support Manager

School of Ocean Science

University of Wales (Bangor)

Menai Bridge

Angelsey

LL59 5AB

Tel 01248 382614

Fax 01248 716367

wxt8981 · Aug 22, 2005

About auto pilots:

I bought my tillermaster some 28 years ago- had to send it
back once for repair and maintenance- they added a dial for
wave control- all for free! That auto pilot is simple, but
it works. I sail single handed and use it- I guess 90% -
and I wouldn't change it.

Wilhelm, V-257

rchrdcoe · Aug 22, 2005

To those wishing to raise their tiller to a more comfortable height,
I glued a shim on the end of the tiller where it rests on the rudder
head. In my case,1/4" thick worked out about right.
Richard, V1812

sv942 · Aug 24, 2005

I have never seen it, but there are som information on

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SVFlyAway · Aug 24, 2005

I played with this a little years ago.

There was a book published in the 1970s by John Letcher ³Self Steering for
Small Craft² I think the name was. It had this system explained in great
detail, along with other homebuilt systems. Letcher was/is an aeronautical
engineer who designed a little 25 footer named Aleutka. (Actually I believe
he is Dr. Letcher to be accurate) Anyway he sailed Aleutka on some very long
crossings and sold plan sets as I recall. You might find the book at some of
the used book sellers either online or locally.

There are many articles on the internet about this system. I googled --
³self steering" "john letcher" and got over 90 hits actually.