Tiller pilots

[Guest]

I own an Etap22 and will buy and fit a tiller pilot this winter. I'm torn between a Raytheon ST1000+ [which will connect to my GPS] and the Simrad TP10 [which seems to have a little better spec but no GPS link] Does anyone have any comments or experience? I sail off the west Normandy coast so reliability and safety are the main concerns.

 

[Miker]

I don't know about your choice of tillerpilots. Mine is a Navico TP300CX which is slightly overspec for a 26ft yacht. The less powerful model was on the limit.
I would always choose a tillerpilot which links to a GPS. Its ability to hold a set course to a waymark and correct for tide, wind and swell is invaluable on a cruise, particularly if you are short handed.

 

[Guest]

I recently singlehanded a Beneteau Oceanis 320 from St Martin (FWI) to England nonstop. I had 2 autopilots, a Plastimo and an Autohelm 2000. I found the Plastimo to be fine in good conditions but once the weather turned it was slow responding to seas.
The Autohelm 2000 however was superb, its variable sea state settings (5) performed beautifully and I ended up using it for 95% of the trip, including sea states of 25-30ft and wind speeds of F9. They can be gps linked but are just as effective and reliable manually, my gps crashed 1700 miles from Falmouth. You may consider it over the top, but you can take it with you when you move up. Phil

 

[Paulka]

An Aries windvane was fitted to my 35ft. longkeeler as the main pilot, and an Autohelm 100 (later Raytheon, then Raymarine) as a "no wind" secondary pilot.
As it turned out, the Autohelm 100, now over 10 years old, is the main pilot for any crossing under say 100 Nm.
Of course, it is underdimensioned in strong winds, nevertheless it never failed, even when grossly abused.
My next choice would be Raymarine ST2000 or ST4000.
BTW as I mostly sail singlehanded, the autopilot (either Aries or Autohelm) has to do all the work!

Paul

 

[Plum]

There are more important criterior in choosing an autopilot that the need to link to a GPS. I recently bought a TP10 from Simrad and have not been too pleased with it or with the response I have had from Simrad to my complaints. I currently have two faults and it does not hold a course as well as my old Navico TP5000 on the same boat.

 

[Guest]

I have recently fitted an ST1000 to my Etap 22i and have found it very reliable - I do link it to a handheld Garmin GPS although I mainly use it manually. Just watch the locker lid popping up during operation - if it's not secured below!! Good Luck

 

[iainmillett]

I use a Navico TP 3000 especially when single handed - motoring or sailing.
With a double ender however, the positioning is not ideal and when pressed, I find I need to take the helm manually.

Nevertheless, with the correct amount of helm an autohelm is VG. Make sure though that you buy one equal to the displacement of your yacht.

ALSO keep a good watch at all times - I am too inclined to skip below - only to find myself grazing along buoys!

 

[Guest]

Aggree with most of whats said. I fitted an autohelm 2000 on a 26ft 3.3 ton folkboat style which sounds massively ott but I turn in on win 'orible following seas when I am struggling and it stears better than I can. Also because it if fast and powerfull it seams to use less power than a small unit working hard. I don't have it conected to the GPS as I hate my instruments talking to each other behind my back!! plus the shortes rout between two points in a tiedway is often not a straight line.

Roly, Voya Con Dios, Glasson, Lancaster

 

[Guest]

I have two older ones .... 800 and 1000..... they are both excellent .....
I have the two, having bought one for a previous boat and then never fitted it before selling !
I don't miss the GPS link, but use the handheld extension control .... I have a 25ft boat and a 24ft long lead !!!!! means I can work at the mast AND look after the helm !

One aspect that many new-users fall for .... Note that all tiller-pilots generally gauge the yaw etc. of a boat when in use. This then allows the unit to steer a better course making allowance for state / yaw etc. When you move about on the boat, you change that factor and the tiller-pilot then has to settle again, some consider this a failed course keeping .... IT IS NOT, let the pilot react for a while and you will find it will settle again, as long as you are not in any close quarters situation.
I also use mine as a 'cox' by using the keypad as an extra hand ..... when dropping moorings, anchors etc. I can steer the boat remotely without lashing the tiller in one plane.

Anyway .. go for the best and powerful you can afford, I like 'em, many others like 'em !!!!

 

[Guest]

Re: Tiller pilots- Normandy

I have an autohelm 800 (now Ray) which has given excellent service for about 8 years of 99% single-handed sailing. As you are close to me (Jersey) you should consider buying one sans VAT on the Island. There are two excellent service agents at South Pier Shipyard and La Folie.