Auto-pilot for tiller steering

[srevir]

In the past I have used one of the 'add-on' auto-pilots such as the simrad tillerpilot. These connect between the tiller and a fitting on the cockpit side.

My experience was pretty positive but it did get in the way sometimes, needed careful stowage and it was also fiddly to set up.

Other than expensive hydraulic set-ups does anyone know of alternatives which keep the mess out of the cockpit and are simple to set up ?

Boat less than 30 foot.

Have fun

 

[Talbot]

All the more powerful autopilots use a hydraulic pump or an electric linear drive which has clear instructions to keep in a dry compartment!!!!!! Attaching these to a wheel steering system is normally relatively straightforward as the quadrant is below deck, however, a tiller steeered boat tends to be smaller and have the tiller attached directly to the head of the rudder - hence no quadrant, and no dry compartment for the steering pump.

 

[Gin]

For long passage legs, I too have an electrically powered auto-pilot. In a small cockpit this is inconvenient for shorter beats, so I use a locking extension tiller stick which, when the sails are trimmed correctly, holds the boat on course and adjustments/disconnection are easily made.

PM me with your e-mail address and I will send you details

 

[VicS]

I would not be without mine which is an old pre digital era Nautech Autohelm.

I understand how it could get in the way in a crowded ,but its no bother when singlehanded If you've got so many bodies that crowding is a problem you don't need it except on long passages. Have a rota, each person steering for 30 minutes at a time.

Mine conveniently mounts on top of the coaming, is fitted with a safely lanyard, but I have also made provision to "park " it when not actually in use. For safe stowage I have made a wooden case.

I don't understand why you have found it a fiddle to set up. I just steer onto the required heading, twiddle its knob until it engages with the tiller and then let go. just a minor adjustment then if necessary. The modern ones are even simpler to set aren't they?. Just done with a couple of button pushes.

Even the smallest of the Simrad or Raymarine ranges should be adequate for a boat under 30ft unless it is exceptionally badly balanced or difficult to steer.

 

[Ruffles]

Once parked next to a Westerly that had a tiller hinged just above the autohelm pin. Neat arrangement that would dramatically reduce the arc - from memory the pin is 18" from the rudder stock.

 

[srevir]

The fiddling was not really anything to do with the setting of a CTS. Much more basic.

First you have an electrical connector which needs to be capped when not in use - inevitably this gets damaged as people sit / slide around the cockpit. Water and electricity dont mix - trust me I used to engineer washing machines !

Then there is the business of getting the gubbings all fitted together and of course thats just the moment when the linear activator refuses to go back into its shell so there is lots of erratic steering while trying to get onto the correct heading before activation.

Once activated all was bliss - even down wind.

Thanks everyone for the input

Have fun