Tiller auto pilots on a Hunter 23.5

[Hayden Jones]

I am planning a circumnavigation of the Delmarva pennisula in June 2004... My version of Around Alone. A friend will also be goinbg in his Compac 23. He has sailed a Sabre 34 on the Great Lakes and has strongly recommended we both purchase and install auto pilots for the long days sailing and motoring. He says it was a life saver when siling across Lake Ontario.... lunches, potty breaks, reading, etc. while underway.I am seeking advice on his suggestion as well as the type and cost of a tiller mounted auto pilot. Thanks in advance.Hayden

 

[Greg]

TP10

Hayden-- I just installed a Simrad TP10 tiller pilot on my 23.5. Works great.The TP10 is a non expandable system meaning you cant connect GPS to it. I wasnt worried about that since i do lake and intercoastal sailing. I solo most of the time so its great for keeping the boat into the wind while i raise and lower sails. Also is great for holding a coarse for those pottie breaks and so on.There are a few other types out there... look in Boat US or West Marine online stores.. you will see the pricing and description in there.Good luck...greg

 

[Peter]

Raymarine ST1000+

For about the same price as the Simrad, you can get a tillerpilot that will auto-tack the boat, connect to a handheld remote and receive input from your GPS. The downside is that some claim that Raymarine is not as reliable as Simrad, but I haven't had a technical problem yet (apart from excessive current draw, which turned out to be my fault). Check my posts in the archives.PeterH23 "Raven"