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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Autopilot Bliss

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/07/2002 : 19:39:04

Yesterday, I finished my autopilot install and today, I took it out for a sea trial and I have only one thing to say about autopilots, "If you don't have an autopilot, get one."

Wait a second...let me rephrase that...,

"IF YOU DON"T HAVE AN AUTOPILOT,...DON'T WAIT...GO OUT AND GET ONE NOW!"

The use of the autopilot was so liberating, it is almost hard to describe. From hoisting sails to dousing them, adjusting sail trim, navigating, going below,...etc., the autopilot just makes life a lot easier. The Autotrack/GPS interface is an incredible feature. Being someone who sails solo about 75% of the time, I no longer feel shorthanded with the autopilot. This is going to be one awesome sailing season!

Don Lucier, Northstar
C25 SR/FK

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gnorgan
Admiral

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USA
563 Posts

Response Posted - 06/07/2002 : 20:48:55

Don, I've had mine installed for awhile, too, and I agree with what you said. Just be sure when you head down below to the head that you've got plenty of room ahead for your business <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>....and then, don't fall asleep down there!! HaHaHaHaHa <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
Gary N.

C25 tall/wing
Classical Cat #5944

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Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts

Response Posted - 06/07/2002 : 21:20:57

Congratulations! I also solo most of the time. When I traded in the C-22 it had a tiller tamer. My 250 came with an Autotiller installed. But when the wind is 15-20 it couldn't seem to handle the boat. So I bought another tiller tamer and I've made very long tacks (like half an hour)without ever having to touch the helm using it.

Safe voyages,
Ben, FL s/v Chick-a-pea C250wk

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ssteakley
Captain

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USA
467 Posts

Response Posted - 06/07/2002 : 21:40:09

Don, sounds fantastic!, I sail on a lake and I do not see a need but I plan to move to the coast in 3-5 years and I am extremely interested, detail for us your autohelm maker etc.& cost if you do not mind. I was recently at Bodega Bay in California and cruised the Marina. I was checking out the autohelms installed on the boats there, of course you can't really get a good idea of how it all works when it is just sitting in a marina, but the majority of sailboats there had one installed.
Steve Steakley
Moon Chaser #385 WK

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/07/2002 : 21:47:19

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
From hoisting sails to dousing them, adjusting sail trim, navigating, going below,...
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
Congrats, Don... I have to admit, though, that I've never gotten used to the idea of going below under autopilot. I just have this vision of a lobster pot marker popping up, or submarine surfacing off my bow... Maybe some day I'll grow out of it. <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette "Passage" in SW CT

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 06/07/2002 : 22:55:42

"...detail for us your autohelm maker etc.& cost..." - Steve Steakley

I bought the Autohelm ST1000plus with the ST60 remote from Sailnet for $399.95 out the door. West Marine price for the ST1000plus is $449.99 and $199.99 for the remote, plus tax. Additional costs were $55.00 for the cantilever mounting kit and a few more dollars for wiring, an on/off switch, a DB9 connector, and 2 fuse holders.

"...I just have this vision of a lobster pot marker popping up, or submarine surfacing off my bow..." - Dave Bristle

Here in Lake Erie we don't have lobster pots or submarines to worry about, mostly freighter's and a million powerboats.

Don Lucier, Northstar
C25 SR/FK

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 06/07/2002 : 23:26:14

"...I was recently at Bodega Bay in California..." - Steve Steakley

Is this the Bodega Bay of the Hitchcock movie, "The Birds"? <img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle>

Don Lucier, Northstar
C25 SR/FK

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MattL
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 06/09/2002 : 09:33:36

Yes it is and it is beautiful country. Down the road is Point Reys, third largest great white attack area, that is also great for sailing. I haven't been there yet with my Cat, but I have fond memories of rafting with a few other boats and throwing out the crab traps for dinner.

Matt Loeffler
E.C. Rider
Cat 25 86'
FK/SR _/)

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dave andersen
1st Mate

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85 Posts

Response Posted - 06/09/2002 : 11:28:53

I too have the Autohelm 1000 which is totally cool, as we
say here in So. Calif. I did learn early on that no autohelm
is really effective on a downwind tack with a following sea.
The autohelm overreacts to the boat's motion, as nervous as a whore in church. So I just put it on hold and take the tiller for that point of sail.

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LeighMarie
Navigator

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USA
188 Posts

Response Posted - 06/10/2002 : 08:34:19

We have an ST2000 Autohelm that came with our boat. I had not used it until yesterday, and it worked wonderfully. The wind was very, very light yesterday out on Lake Michigan so I dared to try the auto-pilot and it worked great. I have a lot to learn about it, but that will come in time. As an aside, I don't know why the previous owner got the ST2000 instead of the ST1000, but I guess it's better to have on too big than too small. It will be fun learning how to use it, and how to trust it.

Dave & Sharon on "Leigh-Marie"
Hull #5128

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 06/10/2002 : 18:44:15

"I did learn early on that no autohelm is really effective on a downwind tack with a following sea." - Dave Andersen

Yes, I agree. The autopilot does not like to go directly downwind with a following sea. The manual does say this and recommends that, "Ideally, the wind should be at least 30 degrees away from a dead run". Since installing it, I've been learning it's eccentricities and when going downwind, I bear off until the autopilot starts behaving nicely. If this takes me to far off course, I just turn it off and manually steer the boat. Today I used the remote for the first time and had some fun with it. The autopilot gives you the opportunity to get more knots out of your boat by allowing you to constantly adjust sail trim for optimum performance. This is definitely the best purchase I've ever made for the boat!

Don Lucier, Northstar
C25 SR/FK

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Todd Frye
Navigator

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USA
222 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2002 : 11:26:21

Don,
This has been the season for installing the ST 2000 on my 86 SK too. I am really enjoying map work now that the autopilot allows me to go below and consult my charts. Because I sail on an inland lake, I navigate from topographical maps using UTM co-ordinates. I have also studied these maps at home, entered waypoints that look interesting and once out on the water, navigate straight to these never before visited areas. It has been a real confidence builder and allows me to practise some interesting nav. techniques...which brings me to my real reason for this response. In your original post, you mentioned "the autotrack/GPS interface is an incredible feature". I messed with this option a little bit but went on to other features. Could you please explain in detail, how this works and what you use it for. Also, if anyone else has "success stories" to share with autopilot/gps systems, I think we could all benefit. Thanks. Todd Frye. P.S. Although it takes discipline (for me), install jacklines and safety harness whenever the auto pilot is hooked up.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2002 : 15:44:26

"In your original post, you mentioned "the autotrack/GPS interface is an incredible feature". I messed with this option a little bit but went on to other features. Could you please explain in detail, how this works and what you use it for." - Todd Frye

Todd,

Funny you ask this question, because I just got off the water where I was demonstrating the autopilot to my brother-in-law. Anyway the "Track" feature allows you to interface a compatible GPS unit(in my case a Garmin Mariner handheld) that will supply waypoint data to the autopilot. This feature would be especially useful in currents because it will make automatic course corrections to get you to your waypoint unlike in regular auto mode where the autopilot just keeps a compass bearing course. To use this function, you connect the GPS to the autopilot, then select a waypoint or track on the GPS and then
"GO TO". Next, with the autopilot in "Auto" enter "Track" mode by pressing at the same time both "-10" and "+10". At this point the autopilot will alternately flash port/starboard and a new course heading corresponding to the waypoint you have selected on the GPS. If the course is correct, you confirm the course change by again pressing both "-10" and "+10". At this point the autopilot will take over and head to the new course. One thing I learned was that before you confirm the new course heading, make sure the boat is within 30 degress of the new heading or you will overdrive the autopilot.

Don Lucier, North Star
C25 SR/FK

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