- Status
One inexpensive method.. Using the tiller extension the PO put on the boat (extendable and then locks by twisting).
http://forums.macgregor.sailboatowners.com/album.php?albumid=149&pictureid=1437
The cup is just some PVC from Home Depot (hardware store) which just happened to be the right size.
You can also google "tiller tamer" and there is some sort of rope/knot arrangment which also works fine.
http://forums.macgregor.sailboatowners.com/album.php?albumid=149&pictureid=1437
The cup is just some PVC from Home Depot (hardware store) which just happened to be the right size.
You can also google "tiller tamer" and there is some sort of rope/knot arrangment which also works fine.
Attachments
I put a jam cleat under the tiller, and run a line from stern cleat around the jam cleat to the opposite side rear cleat...
but it only worked in very light air, OR for about half a minute...
the tiller pilot was the best sailing investment I have made...
but it only worked in very light air, OR for about half a minute...
the tiller pilot was the best sailing investment I have made...
twist lock tiller extension
Comfortable ball-grip tiller extensions for racing or cruising. Stainless steel quick release end fitting and socket receptacle.
Telescopes to any length within its range
White powdercoat aluminum
Foam Grip
they want $94 for it, I just want to make sure I'm spending money wisely here. Thanks for the advice and thougts all
Comfortable ball-grip tiller extensions for racing or cruising. Stainless steel quick release end fitting and socket receptacle.
Telescopes to any length within its range
White powdercoat aluminum
Foam Grip
they want $94 for it, I just want to make sure I'm spending money wisely here. Thanks for the advice and thougts all
I got a simrad tp10, (on a 1988 26D), Paid about $325 2 yrs ago...
http://www.simrad-yachting.com/en/Products/Leisure/Autosteering/Tillerpilots/TP10-Tillerpilots/
I mounted it in a non standard method, (closer to the pivot point than recommended), it would probably not work on a S since their pivot point is closer to the boat...
used 12v cigarette plug, as a connector... (for versitality moslty), in case I wanted to us a Qbeam at the helm.
here is is
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h169/ftldiver2/MACGREGOR/PC160016.jpg
note: it can't steer in over 5' seas, just not fast enough... and it uses some battery power... more power the rougher it gets...
there are settings to change the adjustment rate and power (IIRC). I messed with it when I first got it, and don't mess much with it any more... just set it, and kick back.
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h169/ftldiver2/MACGREGOR/P1010014.jpg
since I single handed a lot when I first got the boat, it made life much easier... its still a pleasure to be able to go below and not worry.
-what else do you want to know?
http://www.simrad-yachting.com/en/Products/Leisure/Autosteering/Tillerpilots/TP10-Tillerpilots/
I mounted it in a non standard method, (closer to the pivot point than recommended), it would probably not work on a S since their pivot point is closer to the boat...
used 12v cigarette plug, as a connector... (for versitality moslty), in case I wanted to us a Qbeam at the helm.
here is is
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h169/ftldiver2/MACGREGOR/PC160016.jpg
note: it can't steer in over 5' seas, just not fast enough... and it uses some battery power... more power the rougher it gets...
there are settings to change the adjustment rate and power (IIRC). I messed with it when I first got it, and don't mess much with it any more... just set it, and kick back.
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h169/ftldiver2/MACGREGOR/P1010014.jpg
since I single handed a lot when I first got the boat, it made life much easier... its still a pleasure to be able to go below and not worry.
-what else do you want to know?
Yup, the tiller pilot seems like it would be real nice..
How do you set it - just get the boat heading in the direction you want and push a button?
What if you needed to take control of the tiller "real fast" (ie, youve been below for a moment and come up to find that your about to crash into some object). Does it release control if you force the tiller or just pop it off the tiller?
How do you set it - just get the boat heading in the direction you want and push a button?
What if you needed to take control of the tiller "real fast" (ie, youve been below for a moment and come up to find that your about to crash into some object). Does it release control if you force the tiller or just pop it off the tiller?
I have the Raymarine tiller pilot and Forespar tiller extension. The tiller extension is nice when I want to move forward in the cockpit keeping weight off the stern and also allowing a better view of the sails from under the bimini. You can see the lock in the starboard coaming for the extension so the tiller can be locked in any direction.
The tiller pilot sits on a 1/4" pin on the lazarette hatch, the TP drive rod has a hole in it and sits on a small pin on the bracket on the bottom of the tiller, so it is very easy to connect or disconnect to TP. The TP has a built in fluxgate compass and will steer the boat on a constant magnetic bearing. At any time you can dial in a correction to go around an obstruction or just change the direction you want to go. The TP is on the Raymarine Seabus and so can also sail the boat at a constant angle to the wind using the information from the wind direction meter. or it can also follow a course from the GPS. The TP will also tack the boat quite well, very handy when you are alone.
I'm very pleased with both additions to the boat.
Bob
The tiller pilot sits on a 1/4" pin on the lazarette hatch, the TP drive rod has a hole in it and sits on a small pin on the bracket on the bottom of the tiller, so it is very easy to connect or disconnect to TP. The TP has a built in fluxgate compass and will steer the boat on a constant magnetic bearing. At any time you can dial in a correction to go around an obstruction or just change the direction you want to go. The TP is on the Raymarine Seabus and so can also sail the boat at a constant angle to the wind using the information from the wind direction meter. or it can also follow a course from the GPS. The TP will also tack the boat quite well, very handy when you are alone.
I'm very pleased with both additions to the boat.
Bob
Attachments
I also have a fixed forspar tiller extension... I do use it sometimes... more before the pilot.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y159/ftldiver/hmstdMarch06/P3310019.jpg
the pilot has a red center button, I typically get a course I like, and press the center 'set' button. and its on... (steers magnetic). if I need to change course I can hit either blue arrow button to adjust course stb or port (rt/left) press once for small (5degree) adjustment. 2x for 10 degrees, etc.
if I need to make major adjustments, I press the 'stop' or set button again, and lift the pilot off the pin... if I foget to turn it off, it will still try to steer the old course and will blow the inline fuse. (no fun),
I see a lot of folks set the pilot on stb side... I wanted port, so I have the motor and pilot controls on one side... (and better access to laz) -(default TP setting is for stb).
-but its not difficult to chg to port if you read the manual.
I also wanted the top of the pilot slightly higher than the tiller, this helps when I lift the laz hatch when on pilot.... I also use a bungy to help hold it on the mount.. (didn't want to loose it overboard...
the TP is plenty strong enough mounted about 4" shorter than recommended... have not had a problem... but I also have the ida modified rudder, so less weather helm...
I typically put the sails on in the parking lot, and raise them once out of the channel with the motor and TP on.
before the TP I'd have to throw the anchor... to raise or lower sails.
OK?
Edit: note the line running from cleat to cleat and wrapped around the jam cleat,(under the tiller), to keep the rudder centered at anchor... or could be used like tiller tamer... (as I did before the TP was installed).
also, I think these TP's can be interfaced with a chart ploter... but I don't have that...
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y159/ftldiver/hmstdMarch06/P3310019.jpg
the pilot has a red center button, I typically get a course I like, and press the center 'set' button. and its on... (steers magnetic). if I need to change course I can hit either blue arrow button to adjust course stb or port (rt/left) press once for small (5degree) adjustment. 2x for 10 degrees, etc.
if I need to make major adjustments, I press the 'stop' or set button again, and lift the pilot off the pin... if I foget to turn it off, it will still try to steer the old course and will blow the inline fuse. (no fun),
I see a lot of folks set the pilot on stb side... I wanted port, so I have the motor and pilot controls on one side... (and better access to laz) -(default TP setting is for stb).
-but its not difficult to chg to port if you read the manual.
I also wanted the top of the pilot slightly higher than the tiller, this helps when I lift the laz hatch when on pilot.... I also use a bungy to help hold it on the mount.. (didn't want to loose it overboard...
the TP is plenty strong enough mounted about 4" shorter than recommended... have not had a problem... but I also have the ida modified rudder, so less weather helm...
I typically put the sails on in the parking lot, and raise them once out of the channel with the motor and TP on.
before the TP I'd have to throw the anchor... to raise or lower sails.
OK?
Edit: note the line running from cleat to cleat and wrapped around the jam cleat,(under the tiller), to keep the rudder centered at anchor... or could be used like tiller tamer... (as I did before the TP was installed).
also, I think these TP's can be interfaced with a chart ploter... but I don't have that...
- Status