Catalina - Capri - 25s International Assocaition Logo(2006)  
Assn Members Area · Join
h.jpg Home.
a.jpg Association Forum
s.jpg Ships Store
c.jpg Cruising
r.jpg Racing
t.jpg Technical Tips
g.jpg Photo Gallery - New
o.jpg Boat Search - Updated
m.jpg Manuals & Brochures
3rdrpt.jpg Swap Meet
l.jpg Links
f.jpg Officer Flag Line & Staff
b.jpg Bylaws & Constitution
 
1.jpg Members Area
1.jpg Join the Association
 
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.
 
Association Forum
Association Forum
Home | Profile | Register | Active Topics | Forum Users | Search | FAQ
Username:
 Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

 All Forums
 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 Catalina 25 Specific Forum
 Autopilots		  New Topic  Topic Locked
 Printer Friendly
Previous Page
Author Previous Topic Topic Next Topic
Page: of 2

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts
Response Posted - 08/15/2002 :  20:14:38  Show Profile
Mike,

That is a good comparison list you submitted with a lot of excellent points. I would like to add that, in my experience, the hardover times(lock-to-lock speeds) that are advertised for these units are similar to the advertised top speeds of automobiles. They are nice stats for comparing different models, but in actual use, I’ve found that those stats are not that critical(who, besides Mario Andretti, needs a 180mph car?).

I use my autopilot:

1) When the weather and seas are cooperating(I’ve found that if I have to work the helm to keep a course, then it will be nearly impossible for the autopilot to do so since it can’t anticipate, only react)

2) When my rig is balanced and the helm is not heavy(this reduces the helm load to almost zero and will keep the autopilot from overworking, thereby reducing power consumption, wear and tear,..etc)

3) Only before and after large course changes, not during(this is recommended by Raymarine and through experience found this to be good advice)

For the most part, when my autopilot is engaged it is only moving the tiller a fraction of an inch every so often with minimal helm load to maintain course. This means that my ST1000 moves say a ¼”-½” in about .5 seconds to maintain course, whereas the ST2000 and TP30 would cover that same distance in about .3 seconds. A difference of about .2 seconds is not that significant. Additionally, the power consumption figures for these units are nearly identical, but more importantly, power consumption is relative to boat trim, helm load, and sailing conditions.


Don Lucier, North Star
C25 SR/FK


Edited by - dlucier on 08/16/2002 00:29:54
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page
Page: of 2 Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  
Previous Page
 New Topic  Topic Locked
 Printer Friendly
Jump To:
Association Forum © since 1999 Catalina Capri 25s International Association Go To Top Of Page
Powered By: Snitz Forums 2000 Version 3.4.06
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.