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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

autopilot

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stevena
Deckhand

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9 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/13/2007 : 11:16:07

I'm looking to put a autopilot on my boat. I'm wondering if the ST1000
is large enough? Or I should go to the ST2000? I usually have the boat loaded with lots of "stuff".

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2007 : 11:45:20

Welcome, Steven(?)... I know people here use the ST1000, but some might want to know what kind of sea conditions you expect to be using it in, and whether you have a balanced rudder (with a stepped leading edge) or the earlier, unbalanced one. The key variable is how quickly and with how much force can it make corrections, which has more to do with sea-state and your helm balance (heavy or light weather helm) than with what's in your boat.

So, whatcha got and where do you sail?

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 06/13/2007 11:47:46

stevena
Deckhand

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9 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2007 : 12:21:35

Dave,
The plan is just to use the autopilot for raising the sail, motoring, and sailing in mild weather. I'll be using it on the Great Lakes, and cruising upper Lake Huron, "North Channel". My boat is # 235 and I think it's the old style rudder. Only sail the rough stuff when I have to.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2007 : 14:20:04

Steven,

Since I'm primarily a singlehanded sailor, I use my autopilot, an ST1000, pretty much everytime I leave the slip. I do have a balanced rudder which in conjunction with a balanced sail plan means I have two finger control of the tiller, maybe a few pounds of force required to keep course. (The ST1000 is rated at 125lbs of thrust). Depending on sea and wind conditions, under sail I've found autpilots work best when the apparent wind is abeam and forward, and less so when the wind (or waves) is abaft of the beam.

Under normal usage with a balanced sail plan, the autopilot moves very little, maybe a 1/2" or so either way to maintain course. This video shows my autopilot in action.

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

Although it may be hard to see in the video, the wind that day was fairly decent (notice angle of heel) and the waves were maybe 2 or so feet.

Edited by - dlucier on 06/14/2007 08:54:25

newell
Navigator

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USA
113 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2007 : 14:33:52

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by stevena
 Dave,
The plan is just to use the autopilot for raising the sail, motoring, and sailing in mild weather. I'll be using it on the Great Lakes, and cruising upper Lake Huron, "North Channel". My boat is # 235 and I think it's the old style rudder. Only sail the rough stuff when I have to.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I just sold a Contessa 26 that weighed in at almost 7000 lbs. I used the ST1000 on it for eyars with great success. I am planning on transfering it to my "new" 1980 C25.

newell

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2007 : 17:54:58

Don,
Do you have any higher resolution photos of your autopilot's attachment? I bought mine used & I'm still trying to figure out the best method of attachment. It didn't come with any attachment hardware, and only has a couple of "ears" on it to attach to. It's an older Navico TP2500. It was only $50 so I figure I can invest a fair amount into it's mount & still be far ahead.

Your link didn't work for me, but I found it [url="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4536671289105007193&"]anyway[/url].

Rita really wanted to know how many degrees of heel you were on, so I inserted a screen shot into AutoCAD & made a rough measurement, about 22° of heel or so. That presumes your boarding ladder is perpendicular to the centerline of the boat fore & aft.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2007 : 22:30:24

David,

No, I don't have any close ups of my autopilot mount, but it is one of I think three different mounting options available on the ST1000(cantilever).

Yeah, the boarding ladder is fairly perpendicular so your estimation is probably close.

Edited by - dlucier on 06/13/2007 22:31:21

newell
Navigator

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USA
113 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2007 : 08:27:03

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dlucier
 David,

No, I don't have any close ups of my autopilot mount, but it is one of I think three different mounting options available on the ST1000(cantilever).

Yeah, the boarding ladder is fairly perpendicular so your estimation is probably close.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Don: Did you give any thought to mounting your autopilot on the top of the locker cover rather than on the coaming? That is what I am intending to do and just wondered about your set up.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2007 : 08:47:23

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by newell
 Don: Did you give any thought to mounting your autopilot on the top of the locker cover rather than on the coaming? That is what I am intending to do and just wondered about your set up.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Newell,

If you look closely at the cockpit seat below my autopilot, you can almost makeout three screws where the previous owner had mounted his. I opted for the cantilever mount so I could slide my full length cockpit cushions under the autopilot. Additionally, if I need to tuck something away in the locker, I can open it a few inches to do so.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4536671289105007193&

(David: Thanks for cleaning up my link)

Edited by - dlucier on 06/14/2007 08:52:16

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2007 : 08:49:28

Newell,

I mounted my autohelmn 1000 atop the locker cover and ran the 12 volt supply under the cover on the side wall.

Val on Calista # 3936, Patchogue, N.Y.

Edited by - on

newell
Navigator

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USA
113 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2007 : 09:03:47

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dlucier
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by newell
 Don: Did you give any thought to mounting your autopilot on the top of the locker cover rather than on the coaming? That is what I am intending to do and just wondered about your set up.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Newell,

If you look closely at the cockpit seat below my autopilot, you can almost makeout three screws where the previous owner had mounted his. I opted for the cantilever mount so I could slide my full length cockpit cushions under the autopilot. Additionally, if I need to tuck something away in the locker, I can open it a few inches to do so.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4536671289105007193&

(David: Thanks for cleaning up my link)
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I had thought about the issue of the cockpit cushions but decided two things: (1). I would not be able to sit on that portion of them when the autopilot was attached and (2) I can probably lay the cushion on the outboard end of the pilot without interfering with its duties. The starboard locker on my boat is so shallow it is almost nonfunctional anyway!

I think if I do it this way I can avoid purchasing any extensions to the "plunger". I might have to use one of the risers on the tiller in order to make the whole thing level....I'll have to see.

Edited by - on

stevena
Deckhand

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9 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2007 : 12:19:53

Thanks guys for all the information. I'm still looking and trying to decided!! Anybody have info on Simrad TP10. It's cheaper and has a little extra thrust.

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 06/15/2007 : 20:58:40

I've had no problems with my TP10. Its been a very good buy.

Edited by - on

Steve Siefken
1st Mate

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USA
81 Posts

Response Posted - 06/15/2007 : 21:23:07

I am using the ST1000 and am pleased with it. Does the Simrad offering have a compass? The ST1000 does. Not sure if it is important to you, but that might be a difference.

Edited by - on

Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

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844 Posts

Response Posted - 06/16/2007 : 01:17:50

1. We used Autohelm parts for the bracket on the tiller to hold our older navico tillerpilot.

2. We used the seat, too. Epoxied a square of plywood underneath and then drilled the hole for the pin. Agreed you can't sit there. My daughter, then about ten, made the lightbulb pop on overhead: just scoot the cushion forward and bend it against the back of the cabin - back.

Edited by - Stu Jackson C34 on 06/16/2007 01:18:27

stevena
Deckhand

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9 Posts

Response Posted - 06/16/2007 : 09:07:00

Hi Knotty Cat,
Have you had to use your "Auto Compass Calibration" mode or is it accurate enough without doing that. Sitting here at my desk it seems confusing. Guys, Gals, how about the ST1000, does it Calibrate itself?

Edited by - on

stevena
Deckhand

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9 Posts

Response Posted - 06/16/2007 : 09:19:30

The thing is I only have 9 days this year to sail and I want to take a new Autopilot out of the box, install it and Go! I'm going to trailer the boat to the North Channel, Little Current Ontario, (500 miles from my house) and do some sailing in that beautiful part of the world. So I'd like something trouble free, if there is such a thing.

Edited by - on

atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 06/16/2007 : 10:46:42

My TP-10 is installed in a bronze fitting that is simply epoxied into the Stbd aft locker lid. The tiller mount is an aluminum bracket that is screwed into the bottom of the tiller.

The trick, is the pilot needs to be level with the mount on the tiller. If you use the side of the coaming, you will need a shaft extension and will have a pin sticking up on the top of the tiller.

Edited by - on

atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 06/16/2007 : 11:01:45

Here is a picture of the bracket I have. Not sure on the size. I would download the manual for the pilot you are going to buy and make sure you have the accessories you need prior to getting to the boat. You will not find this kind of stuff at your local west marine.

here is a link to a full line of autopilot accessories

http://www.go2marine.com/category.do?no=14703&mfrno=818

Edited by - on

stevena
Deckhand

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9 Posts

Response Posted - 06/16/2007 : 12:44:58

There is now have a plan formulated, with which when I get the Autopilot I can proceed. Thanks to all, but standby I'm sure I'll need more help!!

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