I just purchased a tillerpilot st1000 plus. Anyone have a bad experience with these? Im using it for my Macgregor 26s. Im concern about the lock to lock time on the st1000. On the manual it says 8 seconds versus the TP 22's 6 seconds. Is this good for the Mac 26S?Im able to return this product since its purchased from West Marine. The reason I went with the tillerpilot st1000 plus is because Raymarine has a great service warranty. My only concern was people getting their st1000 wet but Raymarine would even fix it, even out of warranty (free). A simple fix was to buy or make a cover for the st 1000 Tiller pilot. The TP22 last longer but their customer service sucks. So far thats what I have found. Please give any input before I open this up and install it...
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My experience may not be typical, but the ST1000 that I had on my D model was not a good experience. After the third time of sending it back for repairs (It would lock up on fully extended or fully retracted- the thrust bearings failed- the fluxgate compass went bonkers) the guy at the repair center suggested that I purchase a rebuilt ST 2000. I have been very happy with it. It's been back once for repair when the compass locked on 252 degrees, but it was fixed under warranty and I'm happy with it.
Water intrusion is not a problem with the Raymarine in my experience.
Overall, I would recommend the Raymarine, but I would choose the 2000 over the 1000, hands down. It's faster, smoother and quieter.
JDK
Water intrusion is not a problem with the Raymarine in my experience.
Overall, I would recommend the Raymarine, but I would choose the 2000 over the 1000, hands down. It's faster, smoother and quieter.
JDK
I've had an ST2000 for at least 10 years. It's been in rain and spray and I have't had any problems.
Re: JDK your Raymarine st1000?
It was actually an engineering flaw, according to the company. There wasn't a cushioned stop built into the screw assembly at either end, so if you weren't paying attention and let the unit fully extend or retract under power, it jammed the screw mechanism enough that the motor could not reverse it out of the jam. Now, when they get units in for repair, they install a rubber o-ring over the screw unit so it has a cushion at both ends.
JDK
It was actually an engineering flaw, according to the company. There wasn't a cushioned stop built into the screw assembly at either end, so if you weren't paying attention and let the unit fully extend or retract under power, it jammed the screw mechanism enough that the motor could not reverse it out of the jam. Now, when they get units in for repair, they install a rubber o-ring over the screw unit so it has a cushion at both ends.
JDK
JDK
So I guess they fixed the problem. Whew you had me worried that I bought a defective prone tiller.
Mr Bill
I originally wanted the tp10 since it was the cheapest and was on sale at defender for $304.oo, But I saw the Raymarine st1000 was also on sale for $396 an it had Sea Talk . IGPS and NMEA compatable. I ended up buying the ST1000 from West Marine to see if they price match defender's price and they did.
Erwin
JDK
So I guess they fixed the problem. Whew you had me worried that I bought a defective prone tiller.
Mr Bill
I originally wanted the tp10 since it was the cheapest and was on sale at defender for $304.oo, But I saw the Raymarine st1000 was also on sale for $396 an it had Sea Talk . IGPS and NMEA compatable. I ended up buying the ST1000 from West Marine to see if they price match defender's price and they did.
Erwin
Re: JDK
Captain E,
I hope I didn't give you any buyer's remorse. The ST1000 came with the Mac when we bought her, and I'm sure it had its hands full dealing with me learning the ropes. I coupled it with a Garmin 76cs+, and it was a hoot. I made the mistake of mounting it directly over the outboard well, and the 10 amp alternator on my Honda 9.9 gave it fits when the motor was raised for sailing. Once I realized how much it bothered the fluxgate, I moved the pilot to the starboard side and it worked very well.
I don't think you can go wrong with Raymarine.
thx
JDK
Captain E,
I hope I didn't give you any buyer's remorse. The ST1000 came with the Mac when we bought her, and I'm sure it had its hands full dealing with me learning the ropes. I coupled it with a Garmin 76cs+, and it was a hoot. I made the mistake of mounting it directly over the outboard well, and the 10 amp alternator on my Honda 9.9 gave it fits when the motor was raised for sailing. Once I realized how much it bothered the fluxgate, I moved the pilot to the starboard side and it worked very well.
I don't think you can go wrong with Raymarine.
thx
JDK
JDK, Capt E, how do you use the gps link?
Are you creating and running routes w/ way points? While sailing? or just motoring?
I like the concept, but figured its rarely practical unless you motor long distances.
-do you trust it in a confined channel?
(I don't trust mine in a restricted / confined channel)
Are you creating and running routes w/ way points? While sailing? or just motoring?
I like the concept, but figured its rarely practical unless you motor long distances.
-do you trust it in a confined channel?
(I don't trust mine in a restricted / confined channel)
Yes, and maybe no. We had a guest from the midwest today, and we took him out the a sandbar 6 miles out so we could cook hot dogs. We were on a reach with around 10 knots of wind, and the course I laid out on the GPS was easy for the pilot to follow. The only time I have seen the pilot balk at a route from the Garmin is when we are going dead down wind. The swells and the boat's swaying make it hard for the pilot to keep up without hunting continually.
We typically set up a course with waypoints out of the 2+ nm channel to the gulf. I wouldn't trust it to lead us blind without hitting a marker, but we have guided several boats in when it was so foggy you couldn't see a marker on the other side of the channel.
If you have a route that is too much to windward, you can bear off until you get to a tack point and then resume the route as programmed. I would be glad to go into detail if you want more information.
thx
JDK
We typically set up a course with waypoints out of the 2+ nm channel to the gulf. I wouldn't trust it to lead us blind without hitting a marker, but we have guided several boats in when it was so foggy you couldn't see a marker on the other side of the channel.
If you have a route that is too much to windward, you can bear off until you get to a tack point and then resume the route as programmed. I would be glad to go into detail if you want more information.
thx
JDK
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