Replacement tiller pilot options

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eddystone

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My ancient Autohelm 2000 (one with separate ram and control box) has sorted playing up. Every time I do a course correction have to press Auto again - didn’t have to before and every so often it jus loses it and starts steering in a different direction.
As I’m unlikely to connect it to anything it seems to me the Raymarine Evo 1000 is overkill leaving me option of Simrad TP32 or Pelagic; boat is 32’ and 4.4T
Any thoughts?
 
Repair it? A+T Instruments in Lymington repaired mine. It's so superior to the ST2000+ that I also have and which has failed several times. If I was buying one, I'd go for the Pelagic - it looks properly robust. (my boat is 30' but just over 5t)
 
eddystone, the 4.4t weight is that the designed displacement or measured on a crane? Most boats of your size will have about ¾ ton to a ton of extra gear onboard. On my 32ft Fulmar, of similar displacement, came with an old Autohelm 2000 like yours and is above the weight limit for the 2000. It could just handle the boat in most conditions, but packed up one day when I had up to 35 knots across the deck upwind. So, I decided to replace it with an EV100 and it is so much better as the ram is much larger and the sensor control is much better controlled.

It was only when fitting the EV100 did I discover why the 2000 stopped working - a fractured power cable to the socket in the boat. The old unit I sold for spares/repair, but most likely still fully working but unchecked, and it was snapped up as a backup to another 2000 unit.
 
Generally speaking I would try to avoid being out in 35 knots so that’s not a major requirement for me. I did notice the gain control had somehow moved to near maximum so I’ll adjust that and see how it goes on way back from Scillies on Monday
 
A TP over specced for the boat has a better speed and power, and will allow use in harsher conditions. The separate display is also handy. the ram + display head design seem to be more reliable judging by comments on here.
 
I replaced mine with a Simrad TP32 on a Moody 31. Absolutely fine for the coastal family sailing I do at the moment. Has coped with 30kts apparent, (not that I'm out in that often in that as crew object!) and no complaints. Suspect it would struggle in large quartering seas but not an issue for me.
 
Regarding displacement, hard to know on what basis standard displacement is calculated buy a now defunct yacht builder, eg assume include half full tanks and basic warps and ground tackle. I’m guessing I’ve got much less than 0.5 T extra gear.
I think that’s within specification for Autohelm 2000, certainly is for TP32 if have to replace. Must admit like the look of Pelagic - it’s the look of something well engineered but lacking mass production refinement - bit like NASA maybe.
 
The displacements ranges used are only a guide as hull shapes, sail balance, tiller loads vary enormously from boat to boat. Tiller pilots are particularly difficult when you get over say, 30' and 4 tons because of the variations in loads on the tiller. You can see the big jump between 2000 and the 4000/EV and many boats "fit" in that hole.
 
eddystone said:
Must admit like the look of Pelagic - it’s the look of something well engineered but lacking mass production refinement - bit like NASA maybe.
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It's nearly the price of the Evo though, which you said was overkill! And it's far less attractive.

The Pelagic tiller actuator is made by Wuxi Hongba, and is available very affordably if you're prepared to deal with AliExpress or can organise a group buy from the manufacturer. It's closer to £100 than the £500 of Raymarine's Q047. I'm going to post a new thread within a week or two, giving full details of this.

If you can't justify an Evo then you might look for a secondhand Smartpilot, and use a WX Hongba actuator with that. I'm pretty sure the actuator is Raymarine's biggest failing.
 
I tend to think displacement is a useful rough guide but that's about it. Some designs are flighty and some not, some need quick and constant work on the helm, others are more docile. Some will plough on when over pressed and retain a manageable helm, other won't.

I have a more docile 4 ton boat and have found the TP32 fine, most of the time. It struggles only in heavy swell conditions, overlaid with quick cross seas plus fresh winds. I also have an SPX5 built in set up (I guess similar to the now EV100) and that copes, though I would not guarantee 35kts. You have to put cost into the mix, I bet the EV is in the ballpark £1500 the TP £500+ and the Pelagic somewhere between but towards the top end.

I used to have the old Jampot 2000 and liked it, the first thing I would probably look at is a repair......and it's always nice to have a back up anyway particularly if you sail shorthanded for any distance.

.
 
The positive comments about the old 2000 are encouraging as one came with my GH. Know that it turns on and the ram moves so will make the effort to rig it up. Complication is that the anchor post was on the pole for the wind generator which I have removed some some work needed to istall it. Also it is missing the mounting shoe, so if anybody has a spare that is surplus would welcome it.
 
Tranona said:
The positive comments about the old 2000 are encouraging as one came with my GH. Know that it turns on and the ram moves so will make the effort to rig it up. Complication is that the anchor post was on the pole for the wind generator which I have removed some some work needed to istall it. Also it is missing the mounting shoe, so if anybody has a spare that is surplus would welcome it.
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Generally a brass hollow tube is used by Raymarine. When I fitted the EV100, I used the same fixing tube. So, if you would like one I can post it to you. Just PM your address.
 
Tranona said:
The positive comments about the old 2000 are encouraging as one came with my GH. Know that it turns on and the ram moves so will make the effort to rig it up. Complication is that the anchor post was on the pole for the wind generator which I have removed some some work needed to istall it. Also it is missing the mounting shoe, so if anybody has a spare that is surplus would welcome it.
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I have a spare mounting plate for the Autohelm control unit. When my old one broke I got a new (stronger) one 3D printed not realising there was a spare in the box of bits bequeathed by original owner. You’re welcome to it for the price of the postage
 
Concerto said:
Generally a brass hollow tube is used by Raymarine. When I fitted the EV100, I used the same fixing tube. So, if you would like one I can post it to you. Just PM your address.
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I am OK with that part thanks, but due to the camber of the deck and the height of the tiller the mounting point was quite high on the pole to get it above the base and the pin is on the top of the tiller. So I need to lower the whole thing with a cranked lever under the tiller and a block on the deck to raise and level it with probably one of the variable height posts that Raymarine do.
 
eddystone said:
I have a spare mounting plate for the Autohelm control unit. When my old one broke I got a new (stronger) one 3D printed not realising there was a spare in the box of bits bequeathed by original owner. You’re welcome to it for the price of the postage
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Many thanks. I will PM my address and if you let me have your bank details will make a transfer.
 
doug748 said:
I tend to think displacement is a useful rough guide but that's about it. Some designs are flighty and some not, some need quick and constant work on the helm, others are more docile. Some will plough on when over pressed and retain a manageable helm, other won't.

I have a more docile 4 ton boat and have found the TP32 fine, most of the time. It struggles only in heavy swell conditions, overlaid with quick cross seas plus fresh winds. I also have an SPX5 built in set up (I guess similar to the now EV100) and that copes, though I would not guarantee 35kts. You have to put cost into the mix, I bet the EV is in the ballpark £1500 the TP £500+ and the Pelagic somewhere between but towards the top end.

I used to have the old Jampot 2000 and liked it, the first thing I would probably look at is a repair......and it's always nice to have a back up anyway particularly if you sail shorthanded for any distance.

.
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Tranona said:
Many thanks. I will PM my address and if you let me have your bank details will make a transfer.
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Hi
Sorry wont be able to send until Thursday or Friday. Have to drop wife off in Falmouth Monday night but wont get back to Cargreen until Wednesday evening.
 
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