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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Auto Pilot

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piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/20/2007 : 19:50:41

I just hooked up a Raymarine auto pilot today and its everything everyone has talked about. I love it. Even though I have a tiller extension and lock box, this is a notch above. Anyone thinking about installing one, just do it-like the ad says! It also makes singlehanded sailing so much easier.

Previous Owner
PiSeas II
2003 C250 WK #692
Newport Beach, CA

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 10/20/2007 : 23:52:28

Do you have pictures of your installation?

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Bubba
Admiral

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USA
542 Posts

Response Posted - 10/21/2007 : 13:18:27

I second what Steve said. I have a Raymarine ST1000 and it has made a world of difference in single-handing.

[url="http://mywebpages.comcast.net/frayed-knot/projects/tiller_pilot.htm"]Click here[/url] to see my pics David.

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Bubba
Admiral

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USA
542 Posts

Response Posted - 10/21/2007 : 13:25:11

Hey David, I see we both just made Admiral! Kinda ironic when you think that our boats came out of the factory together (hull numbers 270 & 271).

I was an Admiral once but got busted back to Captain when they increased the number of posts needed for the rank.

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piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 10/21/2007 : 14:46:11

David, I was planning to do final calibration today but winds howling-40mph+ gusts here. I will give it a try next weekend and provide pics as well. Installation similar to ones Dave attached but I installed on port side.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 10/21/2007 : 19:59:49

How come you installed it on the port side? Seems like it'd be more out of the way tucked in next to the engine, but I'm always open to ideas.

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 10/21/2007 : 20:20:23

OK, we have autohelm on our C250 and I tried to sell it but the Admiral said no. What do you folks use it for? The longest straight run I ever make is 4-5 miles and that is infrequent and when we motor. There must be good reasons for these devices but I just haven't figured it out.

Do you use the device when under sail?
What does it do for you that a tiller-tamer wouldn't do?

I know there must be something I am not aware of. Help me understand.

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 10/22/2007 : 08:15:25

Randy... the two profiles who benefit most from an auto helm are the single hander and the cruiser.

An auto can hold a course much better than a helm lock when the single hander is managing sail such as setting or dousing a drifter or spinnaker.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 10/22/2007 : 10:52:57

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Nautiduck
 OK, we have autohelm on our C250 and I tried to sell it but the Admiral said no. What do you folks use it for? The longest straight run I ever make is 4-5 miles and that is infrequent and when we motor. There must be good reasons for these devices but I just haven't figured it out.

Do you use the device when under sail?
What does it do for you that a tiller-tamer wouldn't do?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

An autopilot has many uses, but mainly for the singlehanded sailor. I never bring out the autopilot when I have crew with me, but the other 99 percent of the time, I'll at least have the autopilot at the ready, might not use it, but it’s there just in case.

I use the autopilot...

1. When motoring out of the marina channel, I’ll turn it on then remove the mainsail cover and ready all my lines before getting to the end of the channel.

2. When raising the main to keep me pointed head to wind, which is especially helpful when the winds and waves are up. In my pre-autopilot, tiller tamer days, I sometimes had to do the mad dash to get the main up before the wind and waves pushed the bow over.

3. When heading back to the marina, about a quarter mile or so out from the marina buoys, I’ll leave the genoa up and then douse the main and put the cover on. I’ll also stow all lines so after pulling into the slip, I just need to loop on the docklines and I’m off.

4. When I’m sailing all day (sun up to sun down) to give me a break, read the paper, get something to eat, use the facilities, relax, change the radio station,…etc.

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 10/22/2007 : 14:30:42

Arlyn and Don, thanks for the information about when you use the autohelm. Is it accurate to say that the automhelm is basically a tool to use when motoring?

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 10/22/2007 : 15:12:28

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Nautiduck
 Is it accurate to say that the automhelm is basically a tool to use when motoring?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

More accurately, its a tool to use when you need an extra hand whether during motoring or under sail. I use mine more while under sail.

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Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 10/22/2007 : 16:02:56

<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 Nautiduck
 Is it accurate to say that the automhelm is basically a tool to use when motoring?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

More accurately, its a tool to use when you need an extra hand whether during motoring or under sail. I use mine more while under sail.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Same here.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 10/22/2007 : 17:10:30

Randy,
If your Autohelm is like my tiller pilot, you should be able to tack by pressing the +1 & +10 buttons at the same time (or -1 & -10 to go to port), which will tack you through 100° while you tend your jib sheets. The degree of tack is adjustable, but I don't remember how to do it offhand. Once you're on your new tack, you adjust your course with the same set of buttons, just one at a time till you have your trim right.

You should also be able to interface it with your GPS to pilot your boat for you from waypoint to waypoint. If you've got a wind sensor with NMEA output, you can hook that up to your pilot as well, and it can steer a course by the wind instead of by the GPS.

If you don't have a manual for it, you can download them in PDF form from Raymarine.

Edited by - delliottg on 10/22/2007 17:12:53

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 10/22/2007 : 18:02:55

David, you can use the autopilot to tack and use it like you describe if you hook up gps, etc. I plan to use mine for those long trips to Catalina or maybe when I gotta go pee! I would never however use in the marina, like Don may have mentioned, due to crowds in mine. I will wait till I get in wide open ocean.
BTW, I mounted on the port side as I wanted cables away from the motor. If I had to start or shut motor off in a hurry, I didnt want the cable from the autopilot in the way. Dont know if this makes sense but thats why for me.

Edited by - piseas on 10/22/2007 18:04:49

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 10/22/2007 : 18:47:49

I'm gonna go study that manual! But I am a bit nervous that if the autohelm does all you say the Admiral may fire me!

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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.