Which tiller pilot

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J

Jack Spencer

Any input as to your sucess or dismay with the Simrad T-10 or Raymarine ST-1000 tiller pilots? I have been considering the ST-1000 since I could use my GMaps 76 with it. However, I'm not so sure is the extra cost really worth it.
 
Jul 24, 2006
27
Oday 25 Anchorage, Alaska
Looks like there is not much price difference

Hurry and get an answer because I don't know but.... I too am considering and find that Raymarine has a 100.00 rebate out on the ST-1000 but you have to buy before July 31st. Found a place online where that would make it $299.00 after rebate. From what I can tell, that would make the raymarine and the simrad about the same price.
 
J

Jack Spencer

$100 rebate

I saw that $100 rebate on raymarine.com. To me, it seemed only to apply to their online store price of $520 suggested retail. That didn't seem to be a deal.
 
Jul 24, 2006
27
Oday 25 Anchorage, Alaska
some places to buy

Defender has them listed for 399.00 and marine electronics unlimited has them for 398.95. I double checked the rebate info and it works at any retail shop, but NOT if you use an online "auction" site...guess ebay is out :).
 
Jan 24, 2005
4,881
Oday 222 Dighton, Ma.
Autohelm ST 1000 +

I have the Autohelm ST 1000+ and I'm very satisfied with it. Prior to that, I had the Autohelm 800 which they discontinued later. My 800 lasted many years. I love an autopilot and I wouldn't sail without one. Joe
 
Jan 24, 2005
4,881
Oday 222 Dighton, Ma.
Yes, I did install my own autopilot but,

years ago, I bought the Autohelm 800 and installed that with a bracket that I made up myself out of Bronze pipe and Teak. So this time around when my 800 bit the dust about two years ago, I bought the ST 1000 + and only had to change the electric outlet. I have my autopilot mounted on my gasoline compartment cover because I really don't care if water gets into it, as it is open to the cockpit. At the time when I had bought the 800, you didn't need extensions for it. The push rod could be adjusted by screwing it in or out to get the desired length. The new ST 1000 seems to work the same as the 800 did. It's a little bit noisier than the 800, though. Chuck,--I'm not sure about the extensions, but if I were you I'd order the bracket for it and consider installing it on the Starboard side only because you're more likely to need to get into the lazerette compartment for ropes and gear than you are the gasoline compartment. If I had it to do all over again, I would have just bought the mounting bracket. The one I made is stronger and just as easy to take on and off, but it sure looks ugly! I know that you guys are going to love this autopilot as I do. These are some of the things that I've done under sail with this autopilot steering my boat; 1. used the head. 2. made a clam chowder from scratch. 3. Cook all my meals and eat while keeping a constant lookout. 4. Lay inside the folks'le reading a book with a mirror to glance out my opened forward hatch. 5. Take a shower on the forward deck with the bag raises from the Jib halyard. 6. On extremely hot days, I've climbed down my stern ladder and hung on to it with both hands while floating in the water. I stopped doing that last one when my wife and I were sailing near Cuttyhunk Island in the Vineyard Sound one day, and saw a large fin in the water. OK. It's true. I'm a Nut!
 
C

Chuck R

Hee He Joe!

Joe you should be a salesman for Raymarine!! I liked the last one where you were hanging on to the swim ladder.. Last year on Erie we had a larger power cruiser that ran up on the rocky beach side of Mouse Island as the skipper was coming from Canada with his autopilot. Not a pretty sight. Always there are rumors floating, and this one says the guy let his insurance lapse.. Anyway, Guess I'll need to check out the "bracket" as I thought the boat and tiller attachments came with the package. I'd like to mount to the combing and to the tiller. I figured Port side mount seems best as this is where I sit when running the motor.
 
Jan 24, 2005
4,881
Oday 222 Dighton, Ma.
Autopilot location

Chuck, I love to sit on the Port side against my stern rail with my boat cushion for padding, also. This is the other reason why I mounted the autopilot on the Starboard side. Oh and by the way; I left out one other thing that I do under autopilot; I clean my freshly caught fish while leaning over the side of the boat so that I don't get fish guts all over the inside of my boat. Smooth Sailing! Joe from the East Coast The Captain of the Trinkka
 
Jul 24, 2006
27
Oday 25 Anchorage, Alaska
I bought one

I ordered my ST1000. Defender was out of stock and refused to bill me now so I could get the rebate deal. Instead, I used marine electronics unlimited...don't know anything about them, but hopefully they will be prompt. I have downloaded the install manual for the tiller pilot and looked things over. Looks to be pretty simple, other than what I see on this thread does anyone have any other suggestions for installing? I hope I am going to like my new tiller pilot, but I know dropping my big fat butt down in the hatch and working over battieries and pumps is not going to be fun....hmmmm maybe I can get the wife to do it! --- of course then I would have to tell her I bought it :) Thanks for all the advice, and any more suggestions.
 
Jan 24, 2005
4,881
Oday 222 Dighton, Ma.
Autopilot Location

Hi Chuck, I'm sure you'll come up with a good location for your autopilot. That's a shame about your bottom paint. Last year I used an ablative bottom paint that I bought from West Marine, and I'm not too keen on buying it again. I had to scrape some Barnacles off the bottom of my hull two weeks ago. I'm thinking of ordering some bottom paint that Wayne bought. It's called Super Ship Bottom Paint. This Tuesday if I think of it, I'll dive under Wayne's boat and feel for any Barnacles. If his boat doesn't have any Barnacles, I'll order some of that paint next year. Joe
 
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