Bob I looked at your photos of your tiller pilot. I like your set up the best as far as location. My question is does the tiller pilot have to work harder by being mounted further aft on the tiller than the other installations I've seen? What type of conditions will it work properly in on and off the wind? I've got a H240 and its an option I would love to have. Right now my 10 year old fills those duties when I need a break from the tiller.
- Status
Thanks Sean
Thanks Sean. The location of the autohelm on the tiller was set out in the instructions by Raytheon. For the ST1000 the location had to be a specific distance from the axis of the rudder. I think it was either 17" or 21" and the autohelm is designed to work at that specific location. Any other location on the tiller and it will not function properly. As I understand it, most autohelms for tillers function the same way, with a specific distance from the rudder axis. I love my Ratheon unit. Its been a little over a year since I bought it at West Marine ($499) and I still can't believe the quality, or level of technology, that came with it. For instance, I have use it all this summer and, just last weekend, realized that I still have not initialized the unit's internal compus for my general sailing location on the globe. I would recommend you spend the additional money and purchase a GPS with NMEA capabilities to be interfaced with the autohelm. I got a Garmin 76 for $225 at West Marine. The Garmin 76 dwarfs the autohelm in technology. Now, whenever I go out, I have the Garmin record the channel markers, I then create a route, and I have the Garmin 76 sail the boat down any route I select. Further, the information available from the GPS is just unbelievable, from speed to sunrise/sunset to best fishing times. Take a look, I think you will be impressed. Please keep in touch and let me know how you make out.
Thanks Sean. The location of the autohelm on the tiller was set out in the instructions by Raytheon. For the ST1000 the location had to be a specific distance from the axis of the rudder. I think it was either 17" or 21" and the autohelm is designed to work at that specific location. Any other location on the tiller and it will not function properly. As I understand it, most autohelms for tillers function the same way, with a specific distance from the rudder axis. I love my Ratheon unit. Its been a little over a year since I bought it at West Marine ($499) and I still can't believe the quality, or level of technology, that came with it. For instance, I have use it all this summer and, just last weekend, realized that I still have not initialized the unit's internal compus for my general sailing location on the globe. I would recommend you spend the additional money and purchase a GPS with NMEA capabilities to be interfaced with the autohelm. I got a Garmin 76 for $225 at West Marine. The Garmin 76 dwarfs the autohelm in technology. Now, whenever I go out, I have the Garmin record the channel markers, I then create a route, and I have the Garmin 76 sail the boat down any route I select. Further, the information available from the GPS is just unbelievable, from speed to sunrise/sunset to best fishing times. Take a look, I think you will be impressed. Please keep in touch and let me know how you make out.
my centss
Bob your are right on with both, GPS and the auto pilot!!! I have a H240 with my best friend Ray (Ratheon ST1000) does a fair mount of the sailing and was a good investment at $380 defender. Found it great when motoring back to a mooring, set your GPS (GarminMap76) and Ray does the rest while you clean up or sit back. Ray holds the boat into the wind nicely (when it is very wind) and you are setting/reefing the main its wonderful. Running down wind on a windy day is not fun for Ray, other than that it does well in most points, closer hauls are the best. I use the tack feature and it does well. Great when you do not have to ask someone to take over the helm for a minute or much much longer while you go forward/get something/etc. Frees up my wife as we are both usually busy havng fun with our 3 year old and Ray for the most part does the work. Bob whats this initialized he unit's internal compus for my general sailing location on the globe? Am I missing outon somthing?
Bob your are right on with both, GPS and the auto pilot!!! I have a H240 with my best friend Ray (Ratheon ST1000) does a fair mount of the sailing and was a good investment at $380 defender. Found it great when motoring back to a mooring, set your GPS (GarminMap76) and Ray does the rest while you clean up or sit back. Ray holds the boat into the wind nicely (when it is very wind) and you are setting/reefing the main its wonderful. Running down wind on a windy day is not fun for Ray, other than that it does well in most points, closer hauls are the best. I use the tack feature and it does well. Great when you do not have to ask someone to take over the helm for a minute or much much longer while you go forward/get something/etc. Frees up my wife as we are both usually busy havng fun with our 3 year old and Ray for the most part does the work. Bob whats this initialized he unit's internal compus for my general sailing location on the globe? Am I missing outon somthing?
Dear Wayneo
Dear Wayneo, on page 56 of the owner's handbook, its called "Automatic Compass Deviation Correction - the tiller pilot will correct its own internal fluxgate compass for most deviating magnetic fields - failure to carry out this procedure may result in impaired autopilot performance" whatever that means. I noticed there was always a difference in my standard compus bearing and the autopilot bearing. The procedures are given on pages 57 & 58 and I am hoping this will correct the difference. The funny thing is that I just can't imagine the units functioning any better. It would just be nice to have the numbers the same. Hey Wayneo, do you think I am getting a little carried away? BTW, it would be nice to see some pictures of your installation in the photo forum. Regards, Bob.
Dear Wayneo, on page 56 of the owner's handbook, its called "Automatic Compass Deviation Correction - the tiller pilot will correct its own internal fluxgate compass for most deviating magnetic fields - failure to carry out this procedure may result in impaired autopilot performance" whatever that means. I noticed there was always a difference in my standard compus bearing and the autopilot bearing. The procedures are given on pages 57 & 58 and I am hoping this will correct the difference. The funny thing is that I just can't imagine the units functioning any better. It would just be nice to have the numbers the same. Hey Wayneo, do you think I am getting a little carried away? BTW, it would be nice to see some pictures of your installation in the photo forum. Regards, Bob.
Hi Bob
With three compasses, GPS, boat and autohelm and the way I steer it would be amazing if anything agreed. From memory two of the three do, not sure which ones. Since my sailing maxes-out at a trip to block island and 90% landloched on george or champlian agreement is not critical. Since the GPS tells autohelm where to go, or adjust manualy for sail trim the actual compass reading does not seem critial for me. Yes it would be nice. No you are not getting carried away. It is very important to know your equipment and its stregths and weeknesses. I all ways use more than the GPS for navigation, though GPS/Autohelm is brilliant for night sailing I alway check using other aids includuing charts and visual markers. BTW am I starting to getcarrier away. It is amzing that 12 satillies are sailing my boat all for under $800. I posted someone elses photos for the autohelm installatoin and it was basically the same as mine.
With three compasses, GPS, boat and autohelm and the way I steer it would be amazing if anything agreed. From memory two of the three do, not sure which ones. Since my sailing maxes-out at a trip to block island and 90% landloched on george or champlian agreement is not critical. Since the GPS tells autohelm where to go, or adjust manualy for sail trim the actual compass reading does not seem critial for me. Yes it would be nice. No you are not getting carried away. It is very important to know your equipment and its stregths and weeknesses. I all ways use more than the GPS for navigation, though GPS/Autohelm is brilliant for night sailing I alway check using other aids includuing charts and visual markers. BTW am I starting to getcarrier away. It is amzing that 12 satillies are sailing my boat all for under $800. I posted someone elses photos for the autohelm installatoin and it was basically the same as mine.
ST1000 tweats
Bob, have you cahnged any of the default settings to fine tune your autohelm. Tiller damping etc?
Bob, have you cahnged any of the default settings to fine tune your autohelm. Tiller damping etc?
Dear Wayneo, #2
I had planned to take Thursday off and go sailing/tune the ST1000, but it turned out to be a lousey day. I was watching the weather tonight and they said the rain might clear up this Sunday. If I go out Sunday I will fine tune the ST1000 and I'll let you know how I make out. Have a good weekend & regards - Bob (and the 12 satellites)!
I had planned to take Thursday off and go sailing/tune the ST1000, but it turned out to be a lousey day. I was watching the weather tonight and they said the rain might clear up this Sunday. If I go out Sunday I will fine tune the ST1000 and I'll let you know how I make out. Have a good weekend & regards - Bob (and the 12 satellites)!
bob #2
Just came back from two days at lake george. All my compasses are off by 5 degrees to each other, GPS,Auto and boat, quite funny. Guess I am still better of with my pin in a cork. Winds 5 to 15 knots and auto did great on all point, amazing when there are no swells the pilot seems to perform as well on all points in moderate winds. Even though out for two days did not get to play with it any more (still on default settings) as to busy just enjoying the sail and family onboard (thanks to having the autopilot doing most of the tillering). I will be copying your auto pilot mount (wooden dowel) but will try putting it were the aft mast support pipe goes, more central for me. When I stowe my bimini under the rail seats I need to have the GPS stick up over it about 6" May the weather fairy give you a good sail.
Just came back from two days at lake george. All my compasses are off by 5 degrees to each other, GPS,Auto and boat, quite funny. Guess I am still better of with my pin in a cork. Winds 5 to 15 knots and auto did great on all point, amazing when there are no swells the pilot seems to perform as well on all points in moderate winds. Even though out for two days did not get to play with it any more (still on default settings) as to busy just enjoying the sail and family onboard (thanks to having the autopilot doing most of the tillering). I will be copying your auto pilot mount (wooden dowel) but will try putting it were the aft mast support pipe goes, more central for me. When I stowe my bimini under the rail seats I need to have the GPS stick up over it about 6" May the weather fairy give you a good sail.
Wayneo #2
Happy to hear of your Lake George Adventure. The family & I were suppose to go camping, this weekend, up by Hunter Mountain (Octoberfest) but got rained out. The idea of mounting the GPS in the hole for the aft mast crutch sounds interesting. Remember, though, that you will have to purchase the interface wire for the GPS ($25 from West Marine) and the GPS stand ($25 from West Marine) for the project. The GPS interface wire is relatively short, I think about 4 feet. This limits the distance you can mount the GPS from the A/H electrical socket, unless you start to splice wires. The Raytheon instructions in Chapter 5 are excellant, the Garmin instructions are useless. Both units call for four connections - power, ground, NMEA+ and NMEA-. Connect the power, ground and NMEA+ between the GPS and the A/H. The NMEA- should be connected to the A/H ground or some other ground. Ignore the NMEA- on the A/H, just water proof it and secure it. I wasted a month of my winter figuring this out. Regards and good luck, Bob.
Happy to hear of your Lake George Adventure. The family & I were suppose to go camping, this weekend, up by Hunter Mountain (Octoberfest) but got rained out. The idea of mounting the GPS in the hole for the aft mast crutch sounds interesting. Remember, though, that you will have to purchase the interface wire for the GPS ($25 from West Marine) and the GPS stand ($25 from West Marine) for the project. The GPS interface wire is relatively short, I think about 4 feet. This limits the distance you can mount the GPS from the A/H electrical socket, unless you start to splice wires. The Raytheon instructions in Chapter 5 are excellant, the Garmin instructions are useless. Both units call for four connections - power, ground, NMEA+ and NMEA-. Connect the power, ground and NMEA+ between the GPS and the A/H. The NMEA- should be connected to the A/H ground or some other ground. Ignore the NMEA- on the A/H, just water proof it and secure it. I wasted a month of my winter figuring this out. Regards and good luck, Bob.
Problems with the remote
Auto Pilots are great. Has anyone had a problem with the remote not functioning properly mine does not work 10 degree 1 degree change on port side anymore. I'm going to send it out for repair but maybe somebody has run into this already. Remotes are nice at 169.00 they allow you to steer your ship from the bow if you want. Thanks for responses and good sailing to you. Brad
Auto Pilots are great. Has anyone had a problem with the remote not functioning properly mine does not work 10 degree 1 degree change on port side anymore. I'm going to send it out for repair but maybe somebody has run into this already. Remotes are nice at 169.00 they allow you to steer your ship from the bow if you want. Thanks for responses and good sailing to you. Brad
BoB #2.5
Have already connected the GPS to ray the autohelm and works fine. I am just going to relocate the GPS which at the moment is located next to the rudder post to up 8 inches using the wood dowel idea you thought of but i will insert it in the mast support holes. Thinks I getting closed down up here due to Jack the Frost
as the marina launches are locking their gates on me. Alway hope for one more for the snow flies.
Have already connected the GPS to ray the autohelm and works fine. I am just going to relocate the GPS which at the moment is located next to the rudder post to up 8 inches using the wood dowel idea you thought of but i will insert it in the mast support holes. Thinks I getting closed down up here due to Jack the Frost
as the marina launches are locking their gates on me. Alway hope for one more for the snow flies.- Status