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Which Autopilot to Get?

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wmuchmore
1st Mate

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USA
56 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/17/2005 : 21:03:56

Hi All,

Well, until recently I thought it was only wimps that had autopilots on their boats. But I've come around to thinking it would be awfully nice to be able to relax and enjoy the ride a bit more. So hopefully some of you that have them can tell me which ones work well and how effective they are when the wind kicks up and the seas get rough.

My wife and I will both appreciate your input, since she doesn't enjoy having to take the tiller while I'm fussing with sail trim. (Hey, she might even be willing to get me one for a Christmas present!)

Mike Muchmore
2083 TRFK "Calamity Jane"

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 09/17/2005 : 21:32:22

I feel your pain

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 09/18/2005 : 10:30:42

I have an autopilot, so I guesse I'm a wimp.

I have the Raymarine ST 2000 with wired remote control. It was great to have when sailing to the Dry Tortugas last year. I haven't yet tied it into my chartplotter. It kept us on course while on a broad reach over 40 miles. Returning against the wind we motored into 4 to 5 foot swells and the autopilot kept us on course very nicely.

I choose this model as it is designed for boats 25 foot or bigger, rather than the 1000 model which says that 25 footers is maximum, or something like that. I also have a semi balanaced rudder. Therefore, I mounted my tillerpilot closer to the pivot point of the rudder than outlined in the instructions, thus giving me faster response times. Works great. I rather have a unit built stronger than what I need, rather than at the max capacity.
I bought it on sale at the now defunct Sailnet. I think they generally go on sale during the winter

Edited by - on

atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 09/18/2005 : 12:34:33

I bought the simrad tp-10. It is pretty good. I picked it up at onlinemarine.com for under 300. Sure makes a long trip nice. I like to use it under power to get out of the cockpit to where it is quiet.

Tom.

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allencl
Navigator

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USA
143 Posts

Response Posted - 09/18/2005 : 18:56:04

I also have the Simrad TP10 and it has held a steady course for hundreds of miles and has been a great addition to the boat and an excellent value. If low cost is not a high priority, I might consider the Raymarine ST2000. I agree with Frank on the advantages of having a somewhat overbuilt autopilot- the Simrad strains some under heavy sailing conditions and is not very fast at making large course corrections. Also, if interfacing w/ GPS is important then forget the TP10 as it cannot do this.

I can recommend the TP10 for a basic autopilot at a good price as I have had no problems with it.

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wmuchmore
1st Mate

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USA
56 Posts

Response Posted - 09/18/2005 : 22:09:16

Thanks to all for the helpful advice. I appreciate it. And Chris, thanks for the pictures. Since Frank and Chris favor the Raymarine 2000, that's the one I'll buy. It makes sense to have the extra capacity if and when you need it.

We'll check around for the best price this winter. And if I play my cards right, maybe the wife will have one under the tree for me this Christmas.

Mike Muchmore
2083, TRFK, Calamity Jane

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 09/18/2005 : 22:55:22

One caveat about the Raymarine that's been kicked around here in the past.

Don't use the autotack feature. (unless they've fixed the problem by now).
It can run to the end of travel and damage the drive gears.

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Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 09/18/2005 : 23:43:23

Mike M,

I've used a ST-2000 Plus wtih my 1979 C-25 for several years, and over a thousand miles including ocean. I agree with both Frank Gloss and ClamBeach. It's a great autopilot, very easy to use, fast, powerful, and sturdy. Regarding the useless auto-tack feature, and hitting its limits of travel in general, mine hasn't damaged itself yet doing that. However, when the motor stalls, it draws higher than nomal current. Mine is on its own circuit breaker, and it has tripped the breaker more than once. I would suggest that any autopilot be installed with a properly sized, dedicated, easily accessable circuit breaker, not a fuse, and not on a shared circuit.

-- Leon Sisson

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lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 09/19/2005 : 00:43:19

I have a Simrad TP-20 (these were formerly made by Navico). It has been reliable for the last two seasons. Holds it's internal fluxgate compass course very accurately, but it has never functioned properly with my Garmin 168 GPS to follow a route. It will sometimes lock on and follow the GPS route for a while, but always it loses track lock at the next turnpoint in the route, and the "error" signal starts beeping. The Auto-Tack function seems to work, but it usually turns the boat much more than the 100~110 degrees it is supposed to, and I have to adjust it manually to head up to the proper course again. I don't have electronic wind instruments, and it's possible that the auto-tack feature would work better if it had input from wind instruments. I give the unit an 8 out of 10 for overall satisfaction. The grade would be 9 or 9.5 except for the glitch that it won't reliably follow GPS routes. I haven't been able to figure out if the problem is in the tiller pilot, the GPS, or the wiring harness between them.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 09/19/2005 : 07:50:29

Arnold said it best..."girly men". Real men have comely lasses that they lash to the tiller.
Here's a spare yee can have.

Arrg.

Cap'n Frank

Edited by - Frank Hopper on 09/19/2005 07:53:04

wmuchmore
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
56 Posts

Response Posted - 09/19/2005 : 20:22:18

Thanks all. Good solid advice from you all (as one always gets on this website).

Sorry to hear that the "autotack" is a problem, on both the Simrad and the Raymarine. I was looking forward to that feature. But being able to follow a compass course is obviously what's most important. And, I can live without having the unit tied in with the GPS.

Leon, thanks for suggesting a dedicated circuit with a breaker. That's a tip I will surely follow.

Frank, if that girl would sail my boat for me it wouldn't matter if she could follow a course or not. Hey, she could sail in circles for all I care.

Thanks again all. One way or the other the boat will be "autotilled" next season.

Mike Muchmore
2083, TRFK, "Calamity Jane"

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 09/20/2005 : 09:16:11

If you mount your Raymarine tiller pilot on the port side, opposite the motor, remember to reprogram it for that side. I forgot that little instruction and burned a couple of fuses until I re-read the instructions (so that's what that little book is for

)
I just bought a 5 amp circuit breaker and will mount it to my accessory panel soon.

The above picture is how I mounted mine too. No brackets sticking out to hit your back or feet when the tiller pilot is not being used. Very nice indeed. If I remember correctly, it takes a 5" extension for the rod.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 09/20/2005 : 09:31:22

Frank's suggestion to mount the autopilot opposite the outboard is good advice.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Gloss
 If you mount your Raymarine tiller pilot on the port side, opposite the motor, remember to reprogram it for that side...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

With his serial number, 2083, I would guess that he has a port mounted outboard which would mean he would mount the autopilot to starboard.

Edited by - on

matsche
Captain

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USA
280 Posts

Response Posted - 09/20/2005 : 16:29:14

Mike:

I resisted an auto-pilot for 3 years. I finally installed a Simrad last month and absolutely love it. Single handing is soooo much easier now. I know a lot of other people have had problems with the autotack feature, but it works great on mine. I have no idea why. I followed Leon's suggestions for mounting and wiring. It took me a total of 6 hours to mount and wire, but most people could probably do it in half that time (I'm mechanically challeged, but I'm trying to learn).

There was another thread on mounting options a few months ago (mount on the coaming vs on the seat vs using a cantilever). You might want to do a search on auto-pilots and read through it.

Best of luck!

Edited by - on

wmuchmore
1st Mate

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USA
56 Posts

Response Posted - 09/20/2005 : 17:48:33

Wow, being able to draw on the experience of you guys is invaluable.

Don is right. My boat is a 1980 and has the motor on the port side. Frank, I was wondering what size breaker to use, and you answered that for me. John, thanks for suggesting the thread regarding mounting options.

What I gather from all these helpful postings is that the Raymarine and Simrad are basically comparable. Neither is perfect but both do the most important thing, and that is keeping the boat on course. So I guess the decision on which to buy will depend on which can be bought at the best price.

Thanks again for all for the great advice.

Mike Muchmore
2083, TRFK, "Calamity Jane"

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 09/20/2005 : 20:04:29

... what about us Wheel lovers? (Destroyer 24" wheel)

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 09/21/2005 : 06:20:08

You wheel lovers are clearly being discriminated against. We need to have a full congressional investigation with all lobbyists and lawyers fully apprised of the situation. 60 minutes will be at the C25/250 world headquarters by the end of the day to get to the bottom of this. Class action lawsuits to follow.

Heads will definitely roll

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