Autopilot: Simrad or Raymarine

[Metabarca]

I'm considering buying an autopilot (tiller) for my boat. Sifting through earlier posts, I see that one recommendation is to buy the next size up (why? Quicker reaction? More strongly built?).
Bearing that in mind, would the board recommend a Simrad or a Raymarine (I'm not interested in plugging in the unit to GPS, instruments, the heads or anything else, merely to hold a course until I tell it to stop).

Thanks for advice

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[hylas]

Sorry if I don't fully answer this question.. On my own sailing boat, 12 meters and not less than 14 tons, I'm using a ST 4000 autohelm (weel)

This type is by far MUCH TOO SMALL for a boat of this size. but as a liveaboard sailor and as I'm sailing most of the time single handed, my autopilot is working 90% of the time..

After 8 years, I had to change the small inside plastic gears.. (about 60 Euros).. and I can tell you that I'm fully satisfied with this solution..

B U T.. I always am very cautious to well balance the sails.. and the pilot doesn't have to make an hard work..

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[Ivy]

I have a Raymarine 2000+ tiller pilot ( the 1000+ is recomended for my Sadler 25), after two months it started making a lot of noise so I got it repaired under warranty and it seams OK now. most of my sailing is single handed so it is on most of the time.
you only need to consider buying an oversized unit if your boat is near the upper limit for the size recomended and you intend to make it earn it's keep, rough weather, large swell etc, otherwise just get the recomended one.
don't no anything about Simrad exept that the spec fr mine was slightly better than for Simrad's TP20.

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[beneteau_305_553]

I use the Simrad TP10 on my 30 ft beneteau and its fine but basic. Has plenty of power and fully adjustable reponse characteristics although the default settings are usally fine.
I do miss not having the LCD display that I had with a previous autohelm.
Whichever you get I'm sure you will soon wonder how you managed without one.



<hr width=100% size=1>Richard

 

[oldestgit]

Spoted this on Ebay tonight might just interest you:

Simrad TP20 Tillerpilot
Item # 2418704427
It has 6 days to go before the end of the auction and starts @ £140... I think he says its brand new but check it out for yourself.

Regards ... Me.

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[Seapepper]

Raymarine without doubt. After experiencing 3 from Raymarine and 2 from Simrad, I wouldnt touch Simrad again with a barge pole.

Get the model with the fastest reaction time. Some small boats are a bit too skittery for the slower. cheaper models, especially in a bit of a blow.

John

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[maris]

Raymarine or simrad? What makes one better than the other? What goes wrong with them? Im thinking of buying as well.



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[Metabarca]

Thanks for the tip, er, Oldestgit! Have placed a bid.

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[Metabarca]

What went so wrong with your Simrads?

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