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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Auto Helm Do you?

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s3tbuell
1st Mate

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47 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/16/2006 : 11:24:48

I have had an auto helm for 4 years now on my 250 WB. I have been using them for over 20 years. I dont understand how people get along with out one when short handed. They never go off course, they never get tired (battery may go dead) they don’t drink all your beer!!

With the 20’ remote control my wife and I can be on the bow on a full moon and sail along in safety.

Mine can connect to the seatalk system and with the correct equipment sail to wind on it own. How many have them ? how many never thought of them? And how many don’t like them?

Doyle
Oregon
Cohesion
WB #141

Edited by - on

AADIVER
Admiral

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USA
966 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2006 : 13:54:43

Doyle, I assume you have a wheel helm. My 250 has a tiller. What do you recommend for a tiller auto helm? An "affordable" one, of course

Edited by - on

s3tbuell
1st Mate

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47 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2006 : 15:07:20

Frank I have a tiller. Dont like a wheel on anything less then 35 feet. I use a Raytheon ST1000+ Autotiller. You can find deals on the internet. I think I got mine for around $400 or so. I am always short handed and it invaluable. Its fun hooking it up to my PC. If I am just motoring I can set waypoints and the boat goes were ever I program it to.

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2006 : 16:02:24

I've the ST4000 and use it a great deal while cruising. I also have the full feature remote which allows helming from below when the weather is bad.

It is interfaced with gps for track function and route following as well as to display cross track error, which I find invaluable.

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2006 : 17:55:07

I have a [url="http://webpages.charter.net/potterhouse/my%20web/images/Tiller%20Pilot%202.jpg"]Simrad TP 10 [/url] tiller pilot. Really comes in handy when your out by yourself or on long trips. It don't have all the bells and whistles like remote or GPS interface but does have the tack function which works great. Its nice to be able to set the pilot and run down to make lunch grab a beverage of choice and maintain your course.

Edited by - on

johnsonp
Admiral

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USA
606 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2006 : 18:10:43

My $.02
Tiller.... ST 1000 with remote.
paulj 250WK #719

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2006 : 18:39:36

For this singlehanded sailor, an autopilot is not just a nice toy, it is an absolute necessity. It allows me to leave the cockpit to set sails or adjust sail controls in conditions where a static tiller tamer just doesn't cut it. Before the autopilot, I would generally take a pass on days that were iffy because I knew I'd have difficulty, but with the autopilot to assist me, I now sail in almost all conditions.

Additionally, the autopilot allows me to get something to eat, study charts, visit the library, take catnaps, change radio stations, get a jacket, sit on the cabintop, take pictures, read the paper, pour a coffee, clean the boat,...

Edited by - on

JJM
Navigator

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USA
170 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2006 : 18:59:43

Anyone have pictures of what these look like installed? Last year I watched workers for a Catalina dealer 'try' to install an autohelm on a new 250, and most of what I heard was:

'Where does this go?'
'Do I drill here?'
'How is this installed?'
'Anyone know where this goes?'
'Whoops...I think I can still make it work.'
'Do you think they will notice?'

etc...

I didn't stay for very long, but what I heard didn't give me the warm and fuzzies.

So, my question to you all that have this - is this a difficult modification?

And how much room does it take?

Edited by - on

Andiamo
Deckhand

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USA
17 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2006 : 19:31:48

I have a ST1000 that came with the boat when I bought it. The previous owner told me it was a toy. It is the best toy ever. Just set it and forget it.

I do not have a remote. Does anybody know if one can be added?

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2006 : 20:10:54

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Andiamo
 I do not have a remote. Does anybody know if one can be added?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yes, it can be added, but they are relatively pricey.

My ST1000 came with a remote and although I've "played" with it a couple of times over the years, I've yet to actually "use" it. Who knows, one of these days I may find a use for it, but for now it's just a conversation piece mounted inside the cabin.

Edited by - on

takokichi
Captain

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USA
321 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2006 : 21:26:46

Count this as another vote for the TP10.

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2006 : 07:09:21

Raymarine offers two remote options, a basic and full feature (which as Don points out is pricey)

I'm not familiar with the basic, but the full feature as indicated by its name will do all that the control head does including displaying information about the autopilot and serving as a repeater for NMEA data from the gps and sounder.

Edited by - on

zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1314 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2006 : 10:58:14

Detailed pictures of your tiller type installations and electrical hook-ups would be much appreciated.
What type and features and price range would you recommend for a tiller C250 WB

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2006 : 18:12:46

Here's my autopilot in action.

[url="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4536671289105007193"]Autopilot Video[/url]

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2006 : 18:26:34

Neat video Don, that st1000 reacts pretty quick. Looks like a great day for a sail too.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/18/2006 : 17:42:22

Yes it was a great day on the water.

Here's another [url="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4057230084458630944"]Autopilot Video[/url].

Edited by - on

Fantasy II
1st Mate

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USA
80 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2006 : 19:39:42

I can only think of one CAUTION when sailing singlehanded with the autopilot on - DON'T FALL OVERBOARD!!

Edited by - on

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.