Which Autohelm?

[RJD]

After about 18 years, my Autohelm 1000 is begining to show signs of ageing..
My present boat is a Westerly Konsort and the 1000 coped quite well. What to replace it with is the question, will a Simrad TP10 cope or is it necessary to spend lots of money and go for somthing more powerful. Any comments would be appreciated.. tks
TonyP

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[philip_stevens]

I've also got a Konsort, and have two Autohelms - one for use with charterers, an oldish 1000; and the one that I use, interconnected to the GPS, an ST2000 (not the plus model). Both cope well, even the less powerful 1000.

I brought the boat back from Plymouth to Falmouth in a F4-5 with the older 1000 - sailing close hauled all the way. It was fast passage - in thick mist.

I would say that an ST2000+ would cope well and be sufficient for your boat.

<hr width=100% size=1>regards,
Philip

 

[Sybarite]

I agree. I ugraded from a 1000 to a 2000 and it is much more up to the job once the wind gets up ( on 30' boat). It also uses more power so check battery capaicty if long passages under sail alone are envisaged.

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[PeterGibbs]

I have sailed your boat with the 1000 - it is really near the limit for a boat of this size. I traded to the 2000 on advice and for the smallish oncost this was good advice. No gain in going beyond this level.

I now have a rather larger boat and have gone hydraulic (Simrad) but this is way beyond what you need even when pushing the Konsort through heavy weather.

One final point. Sooner of later, water will get into any Autohelm autopilot. That's what trashed the PCB on my first 1000. A cover is essential, and easy to fit. a piece of blue acrylic material with bungees will go a long way to saving your investment and happiness from drowning! A cover made by SWMBO with nice features will be a pride and joy!

PWG

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[RJD]

Thanks to all for your useful comments, particularly re water ingress on the Autohelm. Come to think of it, my old faithful only faultered after a good watering while crossing from Holland. Wisdom in hindsight...but prepared for the future!
Thanks to one and all..
TonyP

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[peasea]

I think you will find that the 2000+ has a faster response time - useful when its gusty or rolly.

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[philip_stevens]

.....and it also has NMEA as well as SeaTalk. The 2000 only has SeaTalk.

<hr width=100% size=1>regards,
Philip

 

[philip_stevens]

.....and it also has NMEA as well as SeaTalk. The 2000 only has SeaTalk, unless you have an Interface Unit to convert to/from NMEA.

<hr width=100% size=1>regards,
Philip