mjcoon
Well-known member
Does that mean that it can be set to steer by the wind (assuming you have an NMEA wind indicator)?
Mike.
Tiller pilot
- Thread starter BarryH
- Start date
Does that mean that it can be set to steer by the wind (assuming you have an NMEA wind indicator)?
Mike.
lustyd
Well-known member
Yes the better models can steer to wind or to a course from a GPS device. I've not met anyone who has done this but I've read a couple of people on this forum saying they do. It's useful mainly for long journeys though. On short trips you'll probably stay in charge even if you're not holding the stick by adjusting the course with the buttons on the unit. Others may disagree with this post, it's based very much on my opinion so beware
Sandy
Well-known member
On the other hand a clove hitch is free
BarryH
Active member
I currently tie the tiller off with a bungee. Theres enough "give" in it so when I nudge it with my foot the tiller will self center again when I let the pressure off. I'm still looking to get a tiller pilot as plans this year include a few lengthy passages across the channel where a pilot will take a lot of pressure off of me.
PhillM
Well-known member
I use a TP10. Found it very useful and as Lusty says once you have one you wont want to SH without. My boat is quite heavy but the tiller is quite light and the TP10 seems to cope fine.
I did think about the next one up for the fancy interface for wind. gps etc, but came to the conclusion that they would only be useful on very long journeys where I might want to get some kip and I am nowhere near going any place that's quiet enough to do that.
I think I paid about £220 on ebay for mine.
I did have to get a bracket that fitted under my tiller. From memory there are a couple of different brackets on the market. I am fairly sure there is an old thread on here about me asking about bracket options, from about a year ago.
I did think about the next one up for the fancy interface for wind. gps etc, but came to the conclusion that they would only be useful on very long journeys where I might want to get some kip and I am nowhere near going any place that's quiet enough to do that.
I think I paid about £220 on ebay for mine.
I did have to get a bracket that fitted under my tiller. From memory there are a couple of different brackets on the market. I am fairly sure there is an old thread on here about me asking about bracket options, from about a year ago.
Bru
Well-known member
it's worth knowing that whilst the TP10 doesn't have NMEA the ST1000 does
Iliade
Well-known member
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!
A long line is passed from a side cleat, under the autohelm, then overboard over the pulpit. (Used on my old boat when singlehanding in calm weather so not clipped in, not yet rigged on current boat)
vyv_cox
Well-known member
Yes the better models can steer to wind or to a course from a GPS device. I've not met anyone who has done this but I've read a couple of people on this forum saying they do. It's useful mainly for long journeys though. On short trips you'll probably stay in charge even if you're not holding the stick by adjusting the course with the buttons on the unit. Others may disagree with this post, it's based very much on my opinion so beware
Unless someone can show me I am wrong, I believe that there is no wind input device for the Simrad TP models, only for the Raymarine ones.
I have a device called a 'Friend', which an adjustable strut between the tiller and the bulkhead. I use it when getting fenders aboard and on other brief occasions when I need to leave the helm. It will never hold the boat on a straight course for more than a minute or so and needs constant watching. There is no way that any inanimate device such as a knot, bungee, stick etc could ever be relied upon, except maybe for a few minutes with a very stable boat such as a traditional long-keeler.
Bru
Well-known member
Read it and weep ...
http://www.simrad-yachting.com/en-GB/Products/Tillerpilots/TP22-Tillerpilots-en-gb.aspx
The TP22 will steer to wind
vyv_cox
Well-known member
Read it and weep ...
http://www.simrad-yachting.com/en-GB/Products/Tillerpilots/TP22-Tillerpilots-en-gb.aspx
The TP22 will steer to wind
It will steer to wind with NMEA input from other instruments but AFAIK there is no wind input device as there is with the Autohelm version. Which is what I wrote. It would cost me a lot of money to obtain NMEA wind information, far more than can be justified.
lustyd
Well-known member
According to the manual the ST1000 uses a sea talk wind instrument as the source. I don't see how that differs drastically from NMEA other than using a proprietary protocol. You'd still need to buy the wind instrument and wire it up to the bus.
vyv_cox
Well-known member
There used to be a stand-alone wind direction transducer for the ST1000 (and bigger?) no longer in production I think but they come up on Ebay from time to time.
See page 22 of ST1000 Plus & ST2000 Plus Tiller Pilots Owner’s Handbook www.bluemoment.com/manuals/ST1000Plus&2000PlusTillerPilot.pdf Raymarine pushpit wind vane (part number Z159)
Bru
Well-known member
Ah, I misread wot you wrote, apologies. However. I'm now slightly mystified as to what device you refer since NMEA or Seatalk wind info is going to be required to use the wind function of the ST1000 and I can't find a specific device on the Raymarine website other than their various nefarious wind transducers?????
Ignore! Crossing posts
lustyd
Well-known member
That would appear to still be SeaTalk from the manual you linked to so I would expect it to cost roughly what an NMEA one would. I've found NMEA ones for £120 on MSS and these have the advantage of still being available. Any idea what the Raymarine one cost?
vyv_cox
Well-known member
I think they were probably about £50. I remember seeing some bundled with the tiller pilot as a freebie. When I bought my Simrad one it had the remote control free on the same basis.
lustyd
Well-known member
That is a fair bit cheaper then assuming it was reasonably recent, although someone earlier said the units cost more so could end up the same overall.
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC
Well-known member
I have a Simrad (TP30) and the quality has been good, without any problems since I bought it some 8 years ago. The TP10 or TP22 may be suitable for you, they are more powerful than you think. Many people complain about water penetration, however, it is difficult to keep water away from components with moving parts, water will eventually find its way through; I therefore cover it when it rains or when is rough; eeeeeasy.
Samsara
New member
Having read through these numerous and informative posts, no information has surfaced regarding vessel tonnage.
My 35ft tiller-steered timber gaffer displaces approx 14 tonnes. Even temporarily securing the tiller with lines enabling me (when flying solo) to venture out of the cockpit if but only for a few minutes is inviting trouble.
Does anyone have any info regarding a tiller-pilot heavy duty enough to allow me some respite?
My 35ft tiller-steered timber gaffer displaces approx 14 tonnes. Even temporarily securing the tiller with lines enabling me (when flying solo) to venture out of the cockpit if but only for a few minutes is inviting trouble.
Does anyone have any info regarding a tiller-pilot heavy duty enough to allow me some respite?
DownWest
Well-known member
Friend had a gaff ketch of similar weight. I made a wind vane system for him that worked on a rudder trim tab. Quite good, untill the mizzen sheet managed to rip it off. So he fitted a small tiller pilot to the trim tab, that worked well and drew little current. It did help that he could set the sails to give a light load on the tiller.
Sandy
Well-known member
Firstly I'd land! Tiller pilots for boats are not designed for aircraft.
Secondly, I'd look at balancing your sails your tiller pilot should not be doing a lot of work. If it can't handle it then heave too before leaving the cockpit.
Thirdly, have you looked at sheet to tiller self steering. Takes a bit of working out but really useful. I often pop my emergency tiller in and use it.
Lastly, if you are sill having problems dust off your wallet and check out some form of auto pilot that is designed to handle 14 tonne boats.