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Author
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Topic: Tiller Autopilots ???
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Ken
Member
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posted May 29, 2002 01:45 PM
   
Looking for an inexpensive tiller autopilot to relieve the boredom of Lake Ontario tiller duties on longer trips. Any experiences with either Simrad or the Raytheon Autohelm units?
Thanx, Ken------------------
"ShortWave" IP: 141.117.20.18 |
Eric
Member
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posted May 29, 2002 11:28 PM
They are great!
I was just crewing on a 44 footer last weekend, and when we weren't in the 20+ knot winds we would put "Otto" on. I believe he was an Autohelm 4000. It certainly free's you up for eating etc. Course ajustments are easily made either + or - 1degree or in 10 degree increments.
Interestingly we had a calibration discrprncy with the main compass, "Otto", and the GPS, something which can be corrected.
For long journeys this is the way to go!
Good luck on your voyage!
EricIP: 130.63.75.220 |
Darcy
Member
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posted May 31, 2002 08:24 AM
Ken:I've been cruising on my Brother's boat using a Raytheon. I was a bit sceptical at first, feeling it was just a bit too high tech for a sailboat but was quickly converted. It is just great to really relax in the cockpit without steering. Its also good if you like tweeking the boat while sailing. You can easily move around adjusting sheets, fairleads, etc. You do have to be careful though. A freighter way on the horizon can be upon you very quickly if you are not paying attention like you would be while on the helm. My Brother will also wear a saftey harness if he's the only one on deck. The boat won't come back for you if everyone else on board is down below having a nap. He has the Mustang inflatable vest with a built in safety harness. They're quite comfortable. I'm not sure about the tiller version but some of the units now are linked with the GPS and wind indicator which means they can take your boat upwind nicely. The only complaint I've heard about them is they are apparently so accurate that if you set a course for lets say a buoy at the mouth of the Niagara River you may run right into the mark. The other nice piece of cruising equipment my Brother has is a built in cockpit speaker. Nothing like moving along on a beautiful day listening to your favorite CD. Puts a whole new perspective on Handel or even Enya. Have a great cruise,
D'Arcy IP: 205.188.200.48 |
whited
unregistered
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posted May 31, 2002 08:38 AM
Not too sure about the cockpit speaker business.
Our skipper, owner of the Mirage 33 I crew on, sets up detachable speakers in the cockpit and blasts Shania Twain, Cher, whatever in our faces.
Most of the crew dislike this and turn the radio down, or off at every opportunity.
The boat also has an autohelm, but we haven't used it in the three seasons he's
owned this boat. Suppose we should at least see if it works.IP: 159.33.2.41 |
Celtic Kiss
unregistered
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posted June 01, 2002 01:05 AM
If I owned the boat my music selection would include; Stan Rogers, McGinty and AC/DC. A few years ago we (Disabled Sailing Association of Alberta) equipped a Martin 16 with auto-pilot that is rigged up to a remote control. (10ft cord attached) Is it ever nifty!!Robert IP: 66.222.205.51 |
SuperPiper
unregistered
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posted June 01, 2002 06:54 AM
Warning!The Sandpiper's cockpit may not be wide enough for any of the stock auto-tillers. I am dying to purchase one for my 'piper. But at the Toronto boatshow, one unusually helpful salesman pointed out that the mechanism requires some minimum distance from where the auto-tiller is braced to the centreline of the boat. Otherwise, there may be lots of room for the auto-tiler to extend, but no room to retract. You may only be able to tack to starboard but never to port. I suppose that someone could devise an offset bracket of some sort to allow the auto-tiller to be over there while the tiller is over here. I also wondered if it is necessary to have the auto-tiller square to the centreline or if it would function just as well if it was set diagonally in the cockpit. Would the flux-gate compass care if you are heading 165 or 120? Even when perfectly trimmed (tiller exactly centred) the helm can be heavy. I would consider purchasing the model for the range of boat lengths one size above the 'piper's DWL. If anyone has ever installed an auto-tiller, or even just knows of someone who may have installed an auto-tiller, please post. Thank-you! IP: 204.92.62.77 |
Ken
Member
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posted June 04, 2002 01:20 PM
The Simrad TP-10 (least expensive model) requires 595mm (23-1/2 inches) between the mounting centers on tiller and cockpit seat.
See the data sheet below. http://63.66.44.163:8080/faq_sorter.php?orderby=ap The Raymarine Autopilot ST1000+ has similar centre spacing requirements i.e. 589mm (23.2 inches) and it's entire case clearance from the rudder's centreline is 24 inches. Here's the manual.
http://www.raymarine.com/raymarine/Default.asp?site=1&Section=3&Page=171&Parent=166 In both cases the tiller pin will be attached 18 inches forward of the rudder's turning axis.
These tiller pilots have a stroke of around 10 inches and have many kinds of mounting accessories for every mounting configuration imaginable. Their maximum thrust is in exess of 125 pounds. Now I need to go and measure my cockpit to see if the thing will fit.
Cheers, Ken I found this new sig file. Hope no one's offended! "Drop a load of gurry overboard on Tuesday and it'll still be wit ye on Saturday" IP: 141.117.20.18 |
Eric
Member
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posted June 04, 2002 04:16 PM
Ken, sorry I don't get it!
IP: 130.63.75.220 |
SuperPiper
Member
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posted September 24, 2005 07:32 PM
Hidden with the other stuff from the Toronto Boat Show was a 2005 catalogue from Le NaviClub. This shop is located at 5054 Rue St. Georges, Levis PQ. Their price for the Simrad TP10 @ $499 is the lowest that I have ever seen.I was wondering if any 'Piper sailors had ever dealt with Le NaviClub. Are they an honest bunch? Do they honour warranties? Do they have a return policy? Would they ship to Ontario?
IP: 69.156.1.229 |
