Simrad TP32 tiller pilot, how good?

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shaula

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Does anyone have some first hand experience of the Simrad TP32 and does it do what it says in the specifications. I refer to the adjustable response control, seastate control and autotrim. I have a 32 ft 5 ton vessel and not that happy with my ten year old Raymarine ST 2000 which struggles to keep course in any kind of seaway. The TP32 with 85kg thrust, a 4.0sec hard over time and the quoted automatic and manual control options sounds like it should provide much better control. I would be interested to hear if its worth the circa £550 cost.
 
The h/o time for the ST2000 spec. is 4.5 seconds, so I would expect little improvement from a TP32.
A number of years ago, PBO ran comparative tests with Autohelm and Navico, (now Simrad ) tillerpilots.
In the untweaked state, the Autohelm algorithms gave better course keeping at the expense of greater activity and current consumption.
I've used both. IMO, neither tillerpilot gives really good control in a seaway, esp. off-wind.
The Simrad might be a bit more waterproof, but that's not saying much!
Good sail balance is essential of course.
 
They work week but need preventative maintenance. I made a post a while back about things to keep an eye on inside the unit.

Seals, hall effect sensor, slipping drive band all spring to mind.

I think I'll shrinkwrap mine this year.
 
shaula said:
Does anyone have some first hand experience of the Simrad TP32 and does it do what it says in the specifications. I refer to the adjustable response control, seastate control and autotrim. I have a 32 ft 5 ton vessel and not that happy with my ten year old Raymarine ST 2000 which struggles to keep course in any kind of seaway. The TP32 with 85kg thrust, a 4.0sec hard over time and the quoted automatic and manual control options sounds like it should provide much better control. I would be interested to hear if its worth the circa £550 cost.
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You are on the limit with either of those. It is unlikely that the Simrad will be any better than the Autohelm - they are similar spec. You need to go up to the next size.
 
I've had both ST2000+ and TP32s. Both makes have failed due to water ingress, both cost almost as much as a new one to fix, neither are any good offwind in any kind of sea. At present I have 2 x ST2000+ (needed one while the other was being repaired under guarantee for water ingress) and my choice was based on the TP32's disconcerting desire to take a detour before settling on the demanded course. The ST2000+ keeps steering the way I'm going when I pop it on and hit "Auto" - sort of essential when heading forward in a hurry - the TP32 would take a swing, usually to starboard, and then settle back - not good in confined spaces.
 
Tranona said:
You are on the limit with either of those. It is unlikely that the Simrad will be any better than the Autohelm - they are similar spec. You need to go up to the next size.
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Good advice if such a thing existed. Unfortunately the Raymarine ST 2000 and the Simrad 32 are the biggest size ; the Autohelm 4000 is no longer made. (Excluding the Raymarine SPX 5 which is nearly £2000
 
eddystone said:
Good advice if such a thing existed. Unfortunately the Raymarine ST 2000 and the Simrad 32 are the biggest size ; the Autohelm 4000 is no longer made. (Excluding the Raymarine SPX 5 which is nearly £2000
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Would imagine the demand for a tiller pilot in that size range is very limited as most boats that are too heavy for the current types are wheel steered these days - and an autopilot for those is much more expensive.
 
There's an excellent article on autopilots by Mini sailor Pip Hare in this month's yachting world.

It deals with much more expensive kit including B&G and NKE, but in the process goes along way toward explaining why my own Simrad tiller pilot is frankly a bit pony. I'm normally pretty scathing of the technology related articles in YW but this one is far better than usual and well worth a read.
 
I have one, now 4 seasons use.
Excellent in fair weather, good in heavy. Use it mostly when singlehanding, and not usually for very long periods, perhaps an hour.
Longest single use was motorsailing in heavy rain for 20 hours.
Highest wind used: F7
Wave height: 3m

Water ingress. Not experienced this (yet?), despite it being in heavy rain / spray many times.

Only thing I do is a little white grease on the shaft.
 
My boat is 35 ft, 7 tons in cruising trim as weighed by the hoist. I have owned, and used extensively, a TP30 for something like 15 years. It has worked faultlessly throughout that time, mostly on long windless motoring passages, including a couple overnight. We do not often use it when sailing but when we do it is OK. I did so only yesterday, initially motoring but then continuing to use it as the wind built to force four on a broad reach. It coped OK but did have a tendency to correct too frequently, which I could probably have adjusted but didn't bother.

Feeling we needed a spare just in case we bought a TP32 from a forumite two years ago. It has been used a few times and seemed very similar in performance to the TP30 but maybe a little more sophisticated in control.

Neither has seen much water, either rain or seawater, so no comment on that.
 
vyv_cox said:
My boat is 35 ft, 7 tons in cruising trim as weighed by the hoist. I have owned, and used extensively, a TP30 for something like 15 years. It has worked faultlessly throughout that time, mostly on long windless motoring passages, including a couple overnight. We do not often use it when sailing but when we do it is OK. I did so only yesterday, initially motoring but then continuing to use it as the wind built to force four on a broad reach. It coped OK but did have a tendency to correct too frequently, which I could probably have adjusted but didn't bother.

Feeling we needed a spare just in case we bought a TP32 from a forumite two years ago. It has been used a few times and seemed very similar in performance to the TP30 but maybe a little more sophisticated in control.

Neither has seen much water, either rain or seawater, so no comment on that.
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That's quite reassuring - should be adequate for 32ft and about 5 tons or less. Glad I've got the older autohelm 2000 with separate ram and control unit which seems a beefier piece of kit than the ST2000
 
eddystone said:
Good advice if such a thing existed. Unfortunately the Raymarine ST 2000 and the Simrad 32 are the biggest size ; the Autohelm 4000 is no longer made. (Excluding the Raymarine SPX 5 which is nearly £2000
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Yes, though the SPX5 was available for about £950 from discount outlets. I bought one but it is not without issues which, so far, Raymarine have dealt with. Its replacement is the Evolution Tiller Pilot (I think) which shares a lot of the features of the older unit, you can buy one for c £1100.

I also have a TP32 which has worked well for a number of years but there is a point where it fails to keep up. Having said that I was recently in a tricky race where none of the mixed fleet had a pilot that was able to cope - my SPX 5 was working and coped well. I have a similar size boat to the OP.

I think the best all round pilot I had was the old 2000. The TP has a active brain which can be unnerving at close quarters, often under engine, it will veer about finding it's feet unless on the top level of activity.

As above the TP32 ram needs the odd smear of silicone grease or some such. Keep an eye on the o ring on the ram or it will ship water via the shaft.
 
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