C27 Auto Pilot Choice

[toumaj]

We have a 1979 Catalina tiller-based sailboat.
We have the A4 inboard.
I am trying to decide between the Raymarine ST2000 Plus or the Simrad TP22 autopilot.
The brochure weight of the 27' Catalina is just under 7,000 lbs.
We normally go on 25-200 mile cruises in and around Southern California.
I was looking at a wind vane too, but was told that those are more appropriate for longer cruises in nastier conditions.
Any thoughts, especially from folks who own one or both of these systems, will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Your choice should be based on two things: power and hardover time. Get the specs and compare and buy the strongest, fastest unit.

 

[caguy]

I am using the ST1000 on my C27 and it seems to have plenty of power and reacts fast enough down wind most of the time. Coming in wing on wind when the trailing swell is hitting at an angle can be challenging even for my limited attention. It is supposed to coordinate with Garmin GPS way points but I have not figured that one out yet. I like the wired remote when sitting on perch seats but I find that I can operate with my toes when sitting on the starboard perch seat.
Mine is mounted the to the top of the starboard gunnel and drops into a brass socket. Mounting is very simple. The tiller is attached to a tiller rod extension that screws onto the end of the pilot ram. I think it is about 9". My power/data and remote control plugs are in the back of the starboard coaming where I don't have to worry about rain, splash or getting knocked about.

 

[Joel H.]

I am using the ST1000 on my C27 and it seems to have plenty of power and reacts fast enough down wind most of the time. Coming in wing on wind when the trailing swell is hitting at an angle can be challenging even for my limited attention. It is supposed to coordinate with Garmin GPS way points but I have not figured that one out yet. I like the wired remote when sitting on perch seats but I find that I can operate with my toes when sitting on the starboard perch seat.
Mine is mounted the to the top of the starboard gunnel and drops into a brass socket. Mounting is very simple. The tiller is attached to a tiller rod extension that screws onto the end of the pilot ram. I think it is about 9". My power/data and remote control plugs are in the back of the starboard coaming where I don't have to worry about rain, splash or getting knocked about.

Hello Cayguy
I sure would be interested in seeing pics or a sketch of your ST1000 setup.
I'm going to spring for one, on my "78" C27, this coming season and would like to see how people are rigging them.
Thanks in advance,
Joel H.

 

[philwsailz]

I am not at my boat to tell you the exact model, and I have not used it yet, as the tiller pilot came with the boat and I have yet to put it in the water, but here are some pictures of my setup.

I am more a social sailor than a racer and knee room is important to mee. See the "shorty" tiller I built. I hope that this combination of short tiller and tiler pilot will serve me for my needs, and hope that the tiller will have sufficient leverage for me to manually sail the boat as well. We will see..

Anyway, here are a few pics showing how mine is mounted. I have the brass bushing installed in the cockpit seat with the tiller pilot driving the shorty tiller on a pin that is a copy of the stock pin that comes with the tiller pilot, (the stock pin is in my long tiller handle).


Forgive the mess, the boat is in my shop going through a pretty significant refit. I am kinda particular, so just know when the boat hits the water she will be shiny and clean!

I should ALSO add that the electrical connection shown was provided by the PO as well. It is like many of the stock Catalina mast light wiring plugs, brass contacts and partial to corrosion while having a significant physical presence. I am not a fan of this plug / jack as it leaves a knee/shin banger in the front of the starboard cockpit seat when tiller pilot is disconnected as shown in the first pic. I would either put the removable plug under the starboard storage hatch, or use a connection system that left the jack flush and smooth when the tiller pilot is not connected. I am in fresh water and am considering using a Switchcraft brand 3-pin micorphone connection, (part A3M and D3F) for this, as they are corrosion resistent and waterproof for use in damp conditions. I think the connections are stainless...

 

[Stu Jackson]

We put ours in the cockpit seta on our C25 with an under tiller bracket. Worked just fine, could still use the locker underneath by simply lifting the AP. Avoided the coaming mount with extra bracket or extender rods. See if you can avoid those, even though they work for many people, it's only because you ended up putting the AP further away than it needed to be.

 

[Joel H.]

I am not at my boat to tell you the exact model, and I have not used it yet, as the tiller pilot came with the boat and I have yet to put it in the water, but here are some pictures of my setup.

I am more a social sailor than a racer and knee room is important to mee. See the "shorty" tiller I built. I hope that this combination of short tiller and tiler pilot will serve me for my needs, and hope that the tiller will have sufficient leverage for me to manually sail the boat as well. We will see..

Anyway, here are a few pics showing how mine is mounted. I have the brass bushing installed in the cockpit seat with the tiller pilot driving the shorty tiller on a pin that is a copy of the stock pin that comes with the tiller pilot, (the stock pin is in my long tiller handle).


Forgive the mess, the boat is in my shop going through a pretty significant refit. I am kinda particular, so just know when the boat hits the water she will be shiny and clean!

I should ALSO add that the electrical connection shown was provided by the PO as well. It is like many of the stock Catalina mast light wiring plugs, brass contacts and partial to corrosion while having a significant physical presence. I am not a fan of this plug / jack as it leaves a knee/shin banger in the front of the starboard cockpit seat when tiller pilot is disconnected as shown in the first pic. I would either put the removable plug under the starboard storage hatch, or use a connection system that left the jack flush and smooth when the tiller pilot is not connected. I am in fresh water and am considering using a Switchcraft brand 3-pin micorphone connection, (part A3M and D3F) for this, as they are corrosion resistent and waterproof for use in damp conditions. I think the connections are stainless...

Thanks for the pics Phil.

 

[caguy]

Hello Cayguy
I sure would be interested in seeing pics or a sketch of your ST1000 setup.
I'm going to spring for one, on my "78" C27, this coming season and would like to see how people are rigging them.
Thanks in advance,
Joel H.

I got out there yesterday and took some picts of the setup.
By mounting it on the gunnel it allow me to have a cushion. Putting the plug in the coaming protects it from weather and bumping. The remote control connector is also in the coaming. When not in use it swings back and sits on top of the gunnel supported by the stanchion. You can see it briefly at the end of the video featured in my other post.
http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=136307

 

[Joel H.]

Thanks for getting back with the Pic, Caguy. I like that setup, especially considering that cockpit cushions are my next purchase. I don't have combing boxes so I'll have to do something different there.
Thanks again, Joel H.

 

[toumaj]

I got out there yesterday and took some picts of the setup.
By mounting it on the gunnel it allow me to have a cushion. Putting the plug in the coaming protects it from weather and bumping. The remote control connector is also in the coaming. When not in use it swings back and sits on top of the gunnel supported by the stanchion. You can see it briefly at the end of the video featured in my other post.
http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=136307

That is exactly the same set-up we're using - with room for the cushion to rest under the arm.
We're finishing the installation today!
Thanks for all of the thoughts and ideas.