Tiller pilot, GPS

[Norton]

I sail in a bay and in the Gulf in shallow areas which are somewhat protected by barrier islands. I do not have charts yet (barring one that claims it is not for navigation purposes). My new boat, an O'Day 23, only draws 2'3" centerboard up, 5'3" down. I've sailed the area for a while on a Hobie Cat so I have an idea of the areas to avoid, but am getting more adventurous. I will be sailing out to and around the barrier islands and maybe from Mississippi to Florida. When I am not alone my sailing companions consist mostly of the uninitiated, i.e. having never sailed before, people who might agree to hold the tiller momentarily or release the jib sheet, but are mostly out to enjoy a sail while I am basically single handing. This is fine but frankly sometimes I want a break and a tiller pilot for longer trips around the islands and to allow me to experiment with sail trim and cocktails, is in the future. I am wondering if the Simrad TP10 will suffice or if I should consider the TP20 which accepts NMEA input. I had a rudimentary GPS aboard briefly and thought it was a kick to see how close I was sailing to my intended track, but wonder if my short voyages will be enhanced by GPS interface with Tiller Pilot. I know I’ll need charts but wonder if I were using them how necessary the GPS interface would be. I know I should be relying on the charts, not the GPS charts, and if a compass setting on the Tiller Pilot will be as good enough or if I will eventually want the GPS connected. Sorry that this is a lot of if, ands, or buts, your input would be appreciated.Thanks

 

[Rick Webb]

Charts are Good But...

I used to keep my boat at the marina in Long Beach and we sailed ot to Ship and Cat Islands frequently. The charts will give you a good guide but it was not uncommon to touch ground in places that the charts said we would not. Fortunatly it is pretty much all soft and you can get out and push if needed. Marking the spots with your GPS will help but next time a storm comes through or close by that may change as well. I guess my point is we all will touch bottom some time out there just go sailing and don't sweat it. Don't let me talk you out of the tiller pilot though I have one on my list of things to buy. A Tiller Tamer works just fine in the interim.

 

[Kevin]

Keep it simple

My suggestion is to keep it simple and buy the cheapest autohelm that does the job and forget about interfacing it to a GPS. Keep in mind that the autohelm is intend to take over the helm once you have balanced the sails etc. If the wind shifts, the autohelm has to work harder to keep on its compass setting, until eventually you will have to change course to get the sails balanced again. When sailing you will rarely be sailing the exact same compass bearing as the is shown on the route leg of the GPS.If you were motoring a lot I could see some benefits of a hook-up to your GPS. Also, if you have a good compass that you trust as well as a GPS, the compass on the autohelm is a bit redundant.

 

[Bill]

Tiller Tamer

I single hand most of the time and I put one on my last boat, a Gloucester 22. It worked well. I sail on inland lakes and get frequent wind speed and direction changes so in anything over about 10 or 12 mph, I didn't leave the tiller for too long. It certainly allows time to get cocktails and in a steady wind, I could set the tamer and steer the boat with just my weight moving fore or aft.For ± $40 you can't beat it.

 

[Steve Z.]

GPS - Autotiller Limitations

I have a tiller-tamer and an autotiller. FWIW, here's how my installation operates when the autotiller is tied to the GPS: Simply stated, the autotiller steers the boat from one waypoint to the next, then sounds an alarm. The pilot then acknowledges a course change toward the next waypoint. This forces one to make sure the way is clear for the turn. In a nutshell, autotiller great for longer distances between course changes, tiller-tamer best for general work around the cockpit. I like 'em both!

 

[Norton]

Simrad vs. Raymarine

I guess I should have asked if anyone had an opinion on the quality differences between Simrad and Raymarine tiller pilots as well. Barring any Simrad quality issues, I think I will get a TP10 and save the $140 NMEA input would cost for something else. I haven’t seen the article but I have seen it reported in the groups that Practical Sailor gave the Simrad unit good marks?  I had been planning on installing a Tiller Tamer to briefly free my hands to trim the jib and cleat it, grab a beer, etc. I used a Tiller Tamer on another sailboat that I looked at to purchase and it did not seem as though you could be away from the tiller accept for the briefest periods possible. Granted I only experimented with it for a short while, but it seems to me that only under ideal conditions would you be able to leave the tiller for more than a minute. Say motoring in flat calm, or a light steady wind, and a flat sea. Maybe if I better learn to balance my sails, a tamer would be able to free me up for longer periods.  Thanks all for taking the time to answer my question.