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 Gain & Damping Settings ST2000		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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weluvlife
Navigator

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166 Posts
Initially Posted - 09/22/2006 :  14:00:58  Show Profile  Visit weluvlife's Homepage
Hello,

Over the years I have not been able to successfully tweek the Rudder Gain & Damping settings on my Raymarine ST2000 Tiller Pilot so as to have the boat maintain a straight course. Gusting winds and/or running on a broad reach with following swells. Even after doing everything to limit weather helm as much as possible, the boat steers an embarassing S-Curve.

What combinations of Gain and Damping have worked well for those of you enjoying the Raymarine Tiller pilot?

Thanks in advance for any input you offer. This site continues to be very enjoyable reading.

Take care,


Mark Eichman
c25 tr sk
www.lakedonpedrosailingclub.org
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Brooke Willson
Admiral

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USA
983 Posts
Response Posted - 09/22/2006 :  21:15:24  Show Profile
Mark, I have an ST-1000, which isn't as powerful, but I think you're asking too much of the tillerpilot. They do a great job in moderate conditions. Following/quartering seas are always too much for mine, as are irregular gusts (is there such a thing as a regular gust?). The tillerpilot isn't as smart or as quick as you are -- when the seas are following or quartering, you have to anticipate tiller movements to keep the boat on course, and the tillerpilot can only react.

In those conditions, you will probably need to steer manually. Take some comfort that your intelligence and ability exceeds that of a machine!

Brooke
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aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts
Response Posted - 09/23/2006 :  15:15:14  Show Profile  Visit aeckhart's Homepage
I have a Simrad TP10 and agree with Brooke. Unless you are motoring with little or no wind, tiller pilots will not keep a straight course, particularly down wind. It steers the boat well enough in heavy air so that I can get away from the tiller for brief periods. When doing so I generally spill my main so there isn't so much pressure on the rudder. This limits rounding up which overwhelms the autopilot. Somtimes one has to sacrifice performance to achieve a desired effect particularly when cruising.
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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts
Response Posted - 09/24/2006 :  17:33:39  Show Profile
If it is even a little bit tricky for a human at the helm, it will be almost impossible for an autopilot.
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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts
Response Posted - 09/24/2006 :  18:42:45  Show Profile
I have been playing with rudder preasure so I can learn how to steer the boat without one and I am supprised at how little rudder preasure it takes to hold a course if the sails are balanced. In the boat I have, it said to sheet in the jib and let out the main and the boat will head off. Let out the jib and sheet in the main and the boat will head up. So I figured there must be a happy medium. Now when I balance the sails, the rudder if finger light. Cheers.
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weluvlife
Navigator

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166 Posts
Response Posted - 09/26/2006 :  12:41:03  Show Profile  Visit weluvlife's Homepage
Thank you for your responses. I agree with all of you. I was sort of expecting your comments. I was just hoping for some "trick" haha.
Again, Thanks.
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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.