What should I expect of my ST 1000

I never yet met an electronic tiller autopilot that did cope with bad conditions. I single hand nearly all the time, have had various boats with various tiller autopilots, none of which really coped with anything over about F6. It is possible somtimes to balance the boat and sails enough to get them to hold a sort of course, but generally they simply do not respond quickly enough to the violent motion of a small light boat being thrown around a seaway. Big wave throws boat off to course to port: ap respponds by correcting, but by the time it has applied any significant angle of helm, the wave has passed and th boat is heading to starboard again with an appreciable degree of straboard helm. AP corrects, but once it has got back even to central, the next wave is hitting and pushing it the same direction as the AP was trying to go again. Result - boat all over the place and not under control.

I tried using the bigger more powerful Raymarine 2000, - significantly faster response time than the 1000, but even this isnt fast enough to keep up with the boat and sea. Not so bad under power though, and can steer a sort of course in quite bad conditions.

So it remains aboard for light weather, and engine slogs mainly. More valuable I have found is my Tillermate, a helm locking device that can be flicked on and off and holds the helm firmly and securely in whatever position I want, while I deal with something else. Also in a different version as the 'Midshipman'. Does the same job.
 
Hi Chrissie,
One R800 and two ST2000's later on my Twister and I'd come to the conclusion that they are for motorboats in calm waters.
They don't like wet so a splash cover is required and take them home and leave them in the airing cupboard over the hot water tank at every opportunity.
They definatly don't like an out of balance boat which then suffers a heavy helm.
They don't respond when down wind sailing with a rolling swell at all well.
I now have one of the later 4000's which have the control panel and electronics away from the ram which is the best way to go if you persevere with tiller pilots.
I'd advise you get that wind vane steering system fitted if doing long trips when alone or shorthanded.
They are not difficult to fit.... what type do you have?
S.
 
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My experience of the St2000 on a Moody 31 is that there are several points:

1) Don't expect too much. These are electronics; they can't see and anticipate the swell, and sometimes when their clever algorithms DO anticipate the head moving, they get it wrong when moving into quieter waters etc. Mine can sometimes take an unconscionable time to "wake up" and realize it is 10 degrees off course; usually when the wind is easing, and the amount of helm required is getting less.

2) You DO have to change the settings for different conditions. What works under motor won't work under sail.

3) Bear in mind that all the energy that the tiller pilot uses to steer has to come from somewhere - and that is your batteries. I prefer not to use the tiller pilot continuously under sail for fear of flattening my batteries. Useful when single handed if you have to do a job elsewhere, or boil a kettle or attend the head, but not for long distance steering.
 
Cling film the ST1000 / 2000 to keep the water out.

All such things have limitations but despite that it still makes life easier most of the time.

I think its a bit like computers really - we all curse them but if we had to go back to pre-computer systems (e.g. card files instead of databases) we'd be a lot unhappier.
 
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