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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Tiller Tamer, auto pilot

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quilombo
Captain

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USA
301 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/18/2008 : 16:16:01

when I bought my boat it came with the autopilot electric gyro thing, that connects to the tiller, I dont quite remember the brand, but Im sure you guys know what Im talking about, its like an electric gyro with a motor which actuates a ram rod to attach to the tiller,
seems iike its more trouble to use than its worth,
I was in West Marine and I bought this tiller tamer device
any input on this ,
what do you all think of this thing , Ive seen it used a few times

Edited by - on

Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 03/18/2008 : 17:01:35

I think your opinion regarding the confusion with the "autopilot" might be due to your lack of knowledge about it. Let us know what model it is and we can instruct you on how to use it properly. Autopilots open up a whole differnet world then a tiller tamer.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 03/18/2008 : 21:12:38

Joe's right... A tiller-tamer, or other method of fixing the tiller, can hold your course for a minute or less before the boat wanders, due to seas, wind changes, or simple geometry. The tiller-pilot (or "autopilot") will hold a course indefinitely (except in difficult conditions like large following seas). If you daysail in limited venues, the pilot might not be worth the setup, and the hee-haw noises might be annoying. But if you cruise any distance in open water with little traffic, being able to attend to other things (like your bladder) while the helm attends to itself is wonderful!

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/18/2008 : 22:06:07

I'll second what Joe and Dave said about the autopilot. A tiller tamer isn't even a close cheap imitation when it comes to tending the tiller. I say if you already have the autopilot, give it a go before installing the tiller tamer. If you're like most, you'll return that tiller tamer post-haste. I'd return it anyway and use a bungee setup instead. Nothing to install and you probably have the bungee onboard already.

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 03/18/2008 : 22:18:05

Aren't Auot tiller's prone to stripping gears though? I think I remember reading this someplace. Would it be a good idea to have a tamer on hand as a backup?

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Jefffriday
Navigator

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USA
198 Posts

Response Posted - 03/18/2008 : 22:28:03

I used a tiller tamer that came with my boat for several months before installing my ST1000 autopilot. It's like the others have said, the tamer is OK for a very short while, but the autopilot is really a whole different deal, especially when alone and a problem comes up that requires you attention during unusual weather. I would not consider not having it now, having had a few issues during a blow alone. If you tell us what type it is, I am sure someone here (probably not me, but one of the people here with tons of experience) can help you get it set up and working. They really are great.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 03/18/2008 : 23:03:34

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Prospector
 Aren't Auot tiller's prone to stripping gears though? I think I remember reading this someplace. Would it be a good idea to have a tamer on hand as a backup?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">As long as you understand it won't really do the job. The better backup is you.

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cat1951
Admiral

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USA
636 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2008 : 07:43:59

I have a tiller tamer and as all have said it is only a temporary device for holding the tiller in place. Winds, waves and other factors can extend or shorten its usefulness. In fact, I am replacing my old tiller with a new one since I am refinishing my rudder. I am not planning to move the tiller tamer to the new tiller, just use a bungee cord between lazarettes.

And if I really have to leave the tiller for a minute or two... I turn it over to the Admiral.

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DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2008 : 08:50:08

I also had a tiller tamer. It's good for what it is but by the end of a 3 day sail I was bruised up and pretty tired because of all the running (and running in to things in my haste) I had to do. I recently bought a simrad tp22 and fell like I've been delivered from evil!

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Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2008 : 10:14:33

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Aren't Auto tiller's prone to stripping gears though? <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I have heard of people stripping the gears and the consensus was it was due to overdriving the gears at the end of the travel. I know my Raymarine Autohelm model does not have a cutoff switch to engage when it reachs full extension or retraction. So it continues to try and push/pull the worm gear which is tough on the nylon components. Special attention should be made to avoid overdriving the gears.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2008 : 10:21:25

Joe, what would "overdrive" them--changing the course 120 degrees all at once? I vaguely recall that some models (perhaps the ST2000?) protect against something like that, while some don't.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2008 : 11:13:25

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave Bristle
 Joe, what would "overdrive" them...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Hitting the +/-10 button too many times
Initiating/Accepting a large course change when in track mode.
Having the main sheet snag the ramrod, lifting it from the pin.
Autotacking
Too much weatherhelm
Excessive following seas

There are probably a bunch more that aren't coming to mind right now...

Edited by - dlucier on 03/19/2008 11:19:02

Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2008 : 13:08:01

Also:
Letting the boat drift in calm conditions while the auto-tiller is trying to steer a course.
Removing the pilot from the tiller pin and forgetting to place the pilot in standby mode.

Edited by - on

quilombo
Captain

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USA
301 Posts

Response Posted - 03/20/2008 : 19:52:54

hi all, the name on the unit I have is Autohelm 1000

Edited by - on

Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 03/23/2008 : 10:07:33

Quilombo,
Follow this link to the online owners manual for the Autohelm 1000. Basically, you need 12 volts for power and them point your boat in the direction you want to go and hit "Auto". You can then adjust your heading using the "1" and "10" buttons to turn an appropriate amount of degree from your "Auto" heading. If you can provide us with the problems you are encountering we can advise further.

http://raymarine.com/SubmittedFiles/Handbooks/Legacy_Handbooks/Autopilot/AH1000Micro.pdf

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/23/2008 : 10:18:56

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by DaveR
 I also had a tiller tamer. It's good for what it is but by the end of a 3 day sail I was bruised up and pretty tired because of all the running (and running in to things in my haste) I had to do. I recently bought a simrad tp22 and fell like I've been delivered from evil!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Amen!

Edited by - on

quilombo
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
301 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2008 : 19:05:33

Joe, my autohelm has a rotary dial, not numbers, are you familiar with that model

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Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 03/26/2008 : 09:24:14

Sorry Q, I am not familiar with that unit. It appears to be an analog unit. See if this manual helps.
http://raymarine.com/SubmittedFiles/Handbooks/Legacy_Handbooks/Autopilot/AH1000_analogue.pdf< s> < /s> < s> < /s>

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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.