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 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 Catalina 250 Specific Forum
 Auto Pilot on 250 tilller model		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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sailgal
Captain

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USA
400 Posts
Initially Posted - 09/14/2004 :  12:31:59  Show Profile
After going through withdrawals not sailing for the last month...3 hurricanes... I look foward to sailing again some day and want to single hand on occasion to get on the water more often.
Looking over old threads such as this one -
http://www.catalina25-250.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6890&SearchTerms=tiller,pilot
I see folks have added tiller pilots/suto steering so on. I was hoping someone could explain on the 250 model how they attached the system to their tiller. Photos spell out a lot. Thanks for help...and any tips to make installation easier. Brand recommendations too.

Looks like Tampa Bay lucked out with Ivan, good luck and God Bless you guys up in the Pan Handle!
Suzie, Tropical Sleigh

WB #619 Sarasota FL.
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Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts
Response Posted - 09/14/2004 :  13:37:48  Show Profile  Visit Oscar's Homepage
Suzie, you must be living right.... That also means that my friends parents' house, and potential winter home of LK-III on Anna Maria is stille there.... Don't have pictures, as I never got that far, but I remember from my research that the tiller pilot just bolt/screws onto the tiller. Critical is the distance back from the tip of the tiller, the throw of the ram will then determine how much the rudder is actually deflecting. If I recall there are very good instructions with the units.
Oscar
C42 # 76 "Lady Kay"
C250 # 618 Good Survey, check's in the mail.
http://www.woodenshoemusic.com/C250WB
Edited by - Oscar on 09/14/2004 13:41:35
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Bubba
Admiral

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USA
542 Posts
Response Posted - 09/14/2004 :  21:52:59  Show Profile
The remaining question is what do you hook the <i>other </i>end to?
There's nothing even close to being level with the tiller.
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Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts
Response Posted - 09/14/2004 :  22:48:04  Show Profile  Visit Ben - FL's Homepage
My AutoTiller is attached to the starboard lazzerette and the piston is attached on the underside of the tiller. It is almost level. There is a small metal ring inserted into a hole drilled in the hatch. I'll see if I can get some pictures sometime this week. I'll have to go down there anyway as it looks like Jeanne is headed our way next!
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sailgal
Captain

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USA
400 Posts
Response Posted - 09/15/2004 :  17:49:36  Show Profile
Good luck Ben!!!!
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Bubba
Admiral

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USA
542 Posts
Response Posted - 09/15/2004 :  18:30:35  Show Profile
Thanks, Ben. Pictures would help a lot, but they can wait. Good luck securing the boat!
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aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts
Response Posted - 09/17/2004 :  10:13:02  Show Profile  Visit aeckhart's Homepage
Simrad makes several different size mounts that bolt below the tiller. They allow you to lower the attachment point to help level the autopilot. Boat US/West Marine do not show these in their catalogs. SailNet, where I purchased mine, does. The tiller attachment point is generally 18" from the center of the rudder.

If your in the market for a good, modestly priced autopilot, check out Simrad. I used mine(TP10)the first time this year, under sail and motoring, and was very pleased.

Al
GALLIVANT
C25T #5801
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Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts
Response Posted - 09/17/2004 :  16:47:28  Show Profile  Visit Ben - FL's Homepage
Here is a pic before the AutoTiller is inserted into the socket. And another with it mounted. She is a mess right now because the mast is still strapped down until I am convinced that all the hurricanes are gone for the season. So I did not set the rudder which you can see is in the cockpit. There is a small piece of plywood glued to the underside of the hatch cover so that there is some thickness for it to mount in and I suppose to keep the weather out. The power cord goes right to that plug on the bulkhead and the batteries are just below. My shore power plug is also right there. This arrangement has never gotten in my way as it is pretty far aft. Even when I sit in the pulpit seat my feet are resting in front of it.
Edited by - Ben - FL on 09/17/2004 16:50:54
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Bubba
Admiral

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USA
542 Posts
Response Posted - 09/17/2004 :  21:18:27  Show Profile
Thanks Ben! The pictures are just what I needed.
I hope you see some fair weather soon.
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sailgal
Captain

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USA
400 Posts
Response Posted - 10/07/2004 :  21:10:17  Show Profile
Thanks Ben for the photos, I just realized moments ago that I had missed your post! Hope all is well up north in your parts!

Looking over the photos raised a few questions....what brand is your pilot? Do you have a remote (noticed some come with one) If so do you find you use it? Do you have the unit run direct to you battery or to your dc/ or ac panel? (My two batteries are aft also) Does the unit drain your battery/s? Last is that a dedicated inlet type plug mounted in your hull (seem easy to then unplug unit at end of day)
Thanks!

Oh...one more question, can your unit interface with a gps?
Edited by - sailgal on 10/07/2004 21:18:34
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Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts
Response Posted - 10/10/2004 :  20:00:33  Show Profile  Visit Ben - FL's Homepage
I think it is just the basic AutoTiller. The plug is just a typical through hull so you can just plug the 12v power in quick. And it is dedicated. That is, it does not go through the selector switch. I don't know if it interfaces with a GPS, but I don't think so. It does not have a remote. And no it does not drain the battery much. I'm sure it would over the course of a few days if they were not charged. But I usually just use my Tiller Tamer as it is always in place.
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Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts
Response Posted - 10/12/2004 :  21:25:43  Show Profile  Visit Ben - FL's Homepage
I checked on my autotiller and further inspection reveals it is a Navico TP100. But searching the internet I find Navico has been bought by [url="http://www.simrad.com/default.asp?Lang=1"]Simrad[/url]
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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