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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Tiller Auto-Pilot

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Breezy Cat
1st Mate

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38 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/24/2008 : 10:50:46

What auto pilots are being used?

Any and all info would be appreciated.
Instalation, power usage, prices and experiences.
I single hand and would like some relief on longer days.
TIA

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 10/24/2008 : 12:54:15

We use a Raymarine TillerPilot ST1000+. It's attached to our starboard catbird seat's inboard leg using a Shakespeare VHF antenna mount. I ran power direct from the battery through a fuse, and I also ran the data cables from our GPS to it. It was pretty easy to install, and a bit of a chore to initially calibrate it. However, the problems really weren't related to the TP, but to the amount of traffic I need to do the calibration circles around. Elliott Bay in Seattle is a busy place.

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Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 10/24/2008 : 13:08:31

Ours (also a TP1000) was set up by the PO. I have used it exactly 2 times. It steers the boat in a wild series of arcs and circles. its a load of fun but you never know where you'll end up.

It may not be the instrument's fault.

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KD4AO
Navigator

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USA
202 Posts

Response Posted - 10/24/2008 : 13:26:26

I use the Simrad TP22 with the HR22 Remote control. It works amazingly well and the remote allows sitting in a catbird seat or moving around the boat.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2008 : 10:59:47

Breezy,

Of the two most popular brands, Simrad and Raymarine, I think you'd be satisfied with either one. I have a Raymarine unit that's needed service twice in the last 6 or 7 years, but if I needed to replace it, I would seriously consider the Simrad units too. Defender appears to have decent prices.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2008 : 11:14:24

Chris(Prospector),
It sounds like your TP isn't calibrated, do you have the manual that explains how? If not, drop me a line & I can send you a copy of the PDF, or you can download it from their site. Once we had our calibrated, it holds a course very-very well.

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pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2008 : 11:54:10

I prefer the kind that run on Mohitos and if they get off course respond to spanking

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Jefffriday
Navigator

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USA
198 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2008 : 13:40:48

Well, Franks "unit" is allot more complicated than my ST-1000, especially the initial calibration. I use mine on almost every sail. I do a fair amount of true single handing and simulated (another who only complicates things). There have been many times, when things went wrong that having the autopilot allowed me to tend to the problem. It is on all the time on my boat, and appears to use very little power. I wired it to my GPS so it can drive a triangle course if I need to duck into the cabin during a storm (motoring). It also allows me to get things put away and covered up on my way back to my slip. I would not want to be in a few of the situations I have been in alone without it. It does a fair job of tacking as well (after I adjusted the sensitivity per the manual)

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KD4AO
Navigator

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USA
202 Posts

Response Posted - 10/27/2008 : 08:00:41

How does that work Frank, it doesn't even appear to be connected to the tiller? Very pretty though.

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 10/27/2008 : 08:49:55

What is the red-flecked line she has her right hand on?

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DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 10/27/2008 : 10:46:20

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"> What is the red-flecked line she has her right hand on? <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

looks like the back stay tensioner to me.

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pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 10/27/2008 : 12:27:59

The auto pilot is in stand-by mode above.

This is grinder mode.

This is galley wench mode, (I think my shirt is too big!) I highly recommend auto-pilots with multiple capabilities.

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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.