Best autopilot for tiller?

[ernee]

I saw in a thread that Raymarine wasn’t the highest-end option for autopilot, so wanted to get some ideas.

My current rig is permanently installed— no turning away from traffic to grope under the lazarette— but it never completely disengages. So there is a lot of friction and gear-turning when we are steering manually.

Is there a device that will allow complete freedom of movement for the rudder shaft when not in use? It seems that wheel steering arrangements don’t have that problem to the same degree.

 

[michael_w]

Raymarine type 1 linear drive. Problem is it needs the rest of the autopilot system to work.

 

[prestomg27]

Pelagic.

 

[ernee]

With either, is there zero friction when off, or standby?

 

[prestomg27]

With either, is there zero friction when off, or standby?

yes , as you disconnect them from the tiller.

 

[prestomg27]

yes , as you disconnect them from the tiller.

ignore me. re-reading your question it looks like you have a wheel system not a tiller system.

 

[ernee]

I have a tiller, but probably a wheel system on it. I'm guessing that there is some kind of clutch or neutral gear that works perfectly well on wheels but not tillers?

Anyway, a solution that allows free movement without fumbling with gear is what I am after.

 

[ithet]

Raymarine type 1/2 linear drives have a clutch. Other drives designed for permanent engagement also have clutch. I think we really need to see what you presently have and how it is mounted as well as the drive controller to be able to give you more information.

 

[Ingwe]

As above I would guess that there is something wrong with your current setup as all the boats I have ever sailed with a proper linear drive have had very little frtiction when it is off.

 

[Tranona]

I have a tiller, but probably a wheel system on it. I'm guessing that there is some kind of clutch or neutral gear that works perfectly well on wheels but not tillers?

Anyway, a solution that allows free movement without fumbling with gear is what I am after.

Most tiller steered boats have the pilot attached directly to the tiller and is removed when not in use. This is because on most boats there is no access to the rudder stock to attach an arm for a direct drive. If, however you have one of the modern boats that were designed for a below decks pilot and a tiller then the drive will have a clutch which disengages when the pilot is not in use (on standby or turned off) and there should be no drag on the tiller.

So it would help if you said what boat you have and what sort of autopilot.

 

[Refueler]

Exactly ...

What Boat ?

What actual system Model pilot do you have ?

Maybe some photos ?

As T says - most tiller pilots are above deck and the arm simply drops onto a pin ... in emergency - you just lift arm off the pin ..

Given that you can get TP's of that style to steer even quite large boats ... its an easy install.

 

[Roberto]

Way OTT so just as a curiosity, mostly unknown to the public but arguably the best high speed racing autopilots are from "Madintec". I once read how it was configured for Ultims (mega foiling trimarans), the amount of sensors, their frequency, data filtering processes, feedback etc it was really impressive. Disconnecting the drive arm from the tiller sound like immediate danger :d
Price wise, they make a top NKE system shy away