Tiller Pilot Thoughts

Status
Not open for further replies.
D

Drew13440

.
May 6, 2004
196
- - Potomac
Anyone have experience with the Raymarine ST1000? Am looking at it for a boat that displaces about 3,500 pounds. What is the rough battery draw? There's a guy in the archives raging about the drive wheel stripping itself. What is up with that? Is there a better model out there? Thanks for any insights.
 
R

Rob Hessenius

Tiller Pilots

Drew~

You will not have any problems with a 1000 on 3500lbs boat. I have one and my boat weighs 7k and it works great. I sail with it too and have no problems, except in heavy wind days. You just have to keep an eye on it and on rolling following seas.
 
W

William

well worth it

Drew I can't really speak for the ST1000 but I have a ST2000 and I love it. Workks great and the draw on the batteries is very minimal. I have sailed all day with no problems. I single hand a lot and it made it much easier.
 
M

mlsalwa

Tiller pilot

I agree that the tiller pilot is a great investment. I had 1000 on my 23 and now have the 2000 on my 26.5. Can sail all day and not use up the battery. If you single hand a lot you will love it.
 
M

muised

It's Great

OK so I know the recommended displacement for the ST1000, but it works very well on my 32' Douglas (12,000 lb displacement full keel). I'm sure I'll end its life early, but it has served me well so far. Two batteries, never have to think about the DC consumption.
 
W

Wanderer138

.
Apr 19, 1999
1,670
Pearson Wanderer Titusville, Florida
I used to blow 20A fuses until...

I learned the hard way that a tillerpilot is not about brute force. You should trim until the sail plan is balanced and the helm becomes so light you can literally steer with thumb and forefinger. Then engage the tillerpilot. It will draw very little current under those conditions.


I have a ST1000 on a single battery with a 15W solar panel and I've sailed all day without any problem. Singlehanding is SO much easier and safer, as you don't have to pay constant attention to the helm and can focus on other things like navigating and keeping watch.

Peter
H23 "Raven"
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top Bottom