TP-10 Protective Sleeve

centerline · Mar 14, 2016

Bad Obsession said:
Has anyone ever made a sleeve that covers the TP-10 or similar tiller pilot to protect it from the weather?

as advertised by the manufacture, the units are water resistant, NOT waterproof, and yep I have made a cover for mine....

take a piece canvas top window plastic and sew it into a tube that slides over the TP.... then sew one end shut and cut a 3/4" hole in it for the rod to stick out.

then trim the excess plastic at the sewn joints and turn it all inside out so the seams are inside.....

then cut a hole in the right spot near the open end for the anchor pin to stick thru... install it and never worry about the rain.

on mine, where the seam is along the bottom, I took a paper hole punch and added holes about evey 1.5", so any water that may get in due to the wind, will run out, and to add ventilation so it can either help keep it dry or help keep it cool when the sun comes out.

rgranger · Mar 14, 2016

Hey Bad

You had asked me about three weeks ago, if I had installed my TP-10 yet. NO.... but I have acquired all of the parts and I'm waiting for the confluence of a sunny day & a day off of work. I'll post pics and part numbers once I have it working.

r

Charlie Jones s/v Tehani · Mar 14, 2016

A friend of mine uses a veterinary glove- sticks the ram through the middle finger

Seriously

rgranger · Mar 14, 2016

TSBB 2 said:
A friend of mine uses a veterinary glove- sticks the ram through the middle finger Seriously

svchickadee · Mar 14, 2016

Cut a small hole in a 1 lb or 2 lb ziploc bag and slip over the arm and cover the unit. Inexpensive and effective.

centerline · Mar 15, 2016

Bad Obsession said:
I have some old Sunbrella and I was thinking about using that and putting a window in it made of vinyl. The problem is that I need a really small piece of vinyl and I don't feel like buying a while sheet to do this.

It seems like a good idea and a little more insurance. I will probably fabricate one this spring because I love having the autopilot on and hiding under the canvas as a lookout when it rains.

Yep, it only took one person to convince me to do this but I was already on this thought process. It makes sense.

I am surprised that no one makes these.

you can buy "window" vinyl at wal-mart in the sewing section... as much or as little as you need..

Ron20324 · Mar 15, 2016

[QUOTE....A friend of mine uses a veterinary glove- sticks the ram through the middle finger

Seriously[/QUOTE]

Yeah, you can get used ones out of the trash: )

rgranger · Mar 15, 2016

Bad Obsession said:
Seriously, Walmart has window material? I have never seen it there in my Walmarts. I will have to look again.

I was going to try with the guy who is working on my main sail and see if he will sell me a scrap piece.

Some WalMarts have sewing supplies for cloths etc. and some do not. But you can order on-line through walmart.com

Ward H · Mar 15, 2016

I only remember I need to do this when I get caught in the rain or a lot of spray. Then I am looking for a plastic bag or cushion to put over it. Had always planned on using Sunbrella and window vinyl.
I just added it to my spring to do list.

MrBill_FLL · Mar 15, 2016

fwiw, I had a simrad TP10, and didn't know it was NOT WATERPROOF.

I left it connected on many overnights, where almost everything was wet from humidity in the morning. (needed to wipe down seats, etc)
I never had an issue with the AP. but I didn't see much rain either.

Biobob Catalina 27 · Mar 15, 2016

Bad obsession, where are you located? I have leftover from my bimini window, am in Pasadena MD. If you are close you can have it.

centerline · Mar 16, 2016

MrBill_FLL said:
fwiw, I had a simrad TP10, and didn't know it was NOT WATERPROOF.

I left it connected on many overnights, where almost everything was wet from humidity in the morning. (needed to wipe down seats, etc)
I never had an issue with the AP. but I didn't see much rain either.

i THINK they are intended to be built to take a pretty good shower, but I KNOW they arent waterproof, as this is in the manual... and sometimes even good intentions are not quite enough.
this is an easy out for the manufacture in the event of water intrusion..... and as good and dependable as these newer units are, there is a history of them being damaged by water intrusion.