Tiller pilot

[BarryH]

I need, well want really, a tiller pilot for the tub. The boat is a Leisure 23 bilge keeler. I am, 99% of the time, on my todd. I currently tie the tiller off and give it a nudge now and then with my boot whilst keeping and eye on the compass. What would you recommend.

 

[Tranona]

There is not much choice - just two, the Raymarine and Simrad basic models. Either will do, although Raymarine have a bigger share of the market and you will find recommendations for both from users.

 

[Burnham Bob]

I've got a Raymarine and its great. Can't comment on the Simrad. Don't think you'd go far wrong with either but my Raymarine ST1000 Plus would be fine on a 23 footer.

 

[BarryH]

ouch! Just googled Raymarine ST1000. I didn't realise they were that expensive. Looks as if I'll have to save some sheckles this season and stick with the bungee and rope for a while.

 

[sailorbaz]

I have an Autohelm 800 on my 25 footer - still works fine. There have been a couple of second hand ones sold in the UK recently, so if you could find one that might be a cheaper option.
Sailorbaz

 

[bluemoongaffer]

I have the Simrad TP10. Was quite a bit cheaper than the Raymarine entry level model when I bought it last year. I've not used it a lot yet but it seems to do the job - a bit noisy though.

 

[vyv_cox]

I have two TP30s, one bought secondhand as a spare just in case. We have owned the main one for many years, never gave a moment's trouble. I realise these are far bigger than you need, only trying to give an impression of how useful and reliable they can be.

 

[Zen Zero]

Our Autohelm stopped working so I bought a ST1000 it is the bees knees! Except for in the Lefkas canal for some reason. Any track on Navionics with Pete II (that's what we call it) on is straight as a straight line drawn with a ruler, whilst hand steered tracks do not appear straight at all. Putting Pete II on in the Lefkas canal whilst getting fenders out on the other hand leads to screams from her ladyship, other boats and passers-by on the bank.

I thought Pete I's behaviour was normal and was reluctant to use tiller pilots much until we got Pete II.

 

[oldharry]

Have you tried something like this:

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Midshipman Tiller mate by Seamark Nunn, allows precise adjustment of the tiller at the flick of a finger. Absolutely invaluable for short /single handed sailing. OK not a true autopilot, but costs under £50 but I use mine much more than I use my autopilot on my Trident 24.

 

[VicS]

ouch! Just googled Raymarine ST1000. I didn't realise they were that expensive. Looks as if I'll have to save some sheckles this season and stick with the bungee and rope for a while.

You will never regret buying a tiller pilot , except that you'll never want to go single handed again without it!

I still have one of the original Nautech Autohelm 1000s for the Sea Wych. Would not be without it......... would have loved to upgrade to one of the more modern digital ones but it just keeps on going ...... clearly going to see me out ....... may already have done so

 

[lustyd]

You will never regret buying a tiller pilot , except that you'll never want to go single handed again without it!

I still have one of the original Nautech Autohelm 1000s for the Sea Wych. Would not be without it......... would have loved to upgrade to one of the more modern digital ones but it just keeps on going ...... clearly going to see me out ....... may already have done so

Completely agree with this, I struggled for a couple of months without one and wouldn't go back now. they seem expensive at the time but the peace of mind when putting sails up or taking them down is priceless if you have to go forward.

 

[Zen Zero]

Completely agree with this, I struggled for a couple of months without one and wouldn't go back now. they seem expensive at the time but the peace of mind when putting sails up or taking them down is priceless if you have to go forward.

Ever thought about where the boat will go if you fall off?

I've just thought of an invention if it doesn't already exist!

 

[lustyd]

Ever thought about where the boat will go if you fall off?

I've just thought of an invention if it doesn't already exist!

Yes plenty of times. The boat will go in a straight line until the battery runs flat and then probably start circling. I don't plan to fall off though and am much less likely to do so with a controlled boat than one which is merrily swinging around while I'm on the foredeck!

 

[Zen Zero]

Yes plenty of times. The boat will go in a straight line until the battery runs flat and then probably start circling.

Me too! I wonder how long it will take with a 85w solar panel?

I often have that thought while I'm relieving myself over the transom (close hauled in a bit of a blow)!

 

[stevebrassett]

I have a Leisure 23SL, and use a Simrad TP22. Can't remember why I chose a 22 over a 10, though as I bought it years ago. I think a 10 would have done the job, but the 22 was either better built or had more features.

 

[lustyd]

I have a Leisure 23SL, and use a Simrad TP22. Can't remember why I chose a 22 over a 10, though as I bought it years ago. I think a 10 would have done the job, but the 22 was either better built or had more features.

It integrates with NMEA whereas the 10 doesn't. As far as I can tell the three units in the range are identical but the manufacturer claims the "bigger" ones have more power. They also base the recommendation on boat length despite this having no bearing on the pressure at the tiller but I guess they had to use some metric to differentiate and length is as good as any. If you have a snappy race yacht though the small one will do fine while small boats with poor handling may need a beefier unit.

 

[stevebrassett]

I guess I probably went for the extra power. The L23 has a fair bit of weather helm when heeled.

 

[Fantasie 19]

I currently tie the tiller off and give it a nudge now and then with my boot whilst keeping and eye on the compass. What would you recommend.

That's what I do to... suggest an upgrade to high quality bungee for an added complication....

 

[Kintail]

I realize that power output depends on how much work the pilot had to do and proper sail alignment can reduce this, but how many hours sailing can I expect from fully charged battery 110AH leisure. My outboard does not charge. Thinking of Raymarine ST1000.

 

[lustyd]

I realize that power output depends on how much work the pilot had to do and proper sail alignment can reduce this, but how many hours sailing can I expect from fully charged battery 110AH leisure. My outboard does not charge. Thinking of Raymarine ST1000.

I easily get a few days sailing using the tiller pilot intermittently. I wouldn't use it constantly all day every day without charging the battery overnight.