[Rhodes22-list] Tiller Auto Pilot Question(s)

[Herb Parsons]

If I may, even though not a Rhodes owner, I'll add a couple of things.

First of all, the "little receptacle cup" is not only epoxied into place, but if the thickness of the fiberglass is less than the depth of the cup, it should first be backed with a block of wood (or fiberglass, or something). In other words, the cup should be inserted into a solid base. On my O'Day 25, I put some epoxy on it, and ran a wood screw through the fiberglass and wood until it dried. Then I drilled the hole for the cup.

Next, I'll say this is good for a LOT more than just single-handing. My wife thought I was being extravagant when I bought ours. However, a few evenings of us sitting on the bow of the boat, while it "sailed itself" convinced her it was one of the better purchases for the boat. It also gets her on the boat more frequently, and ANYTHING that gets her on the boat more often is a great deal!

Herb Parsons

S/V O'Jure
  1976 O'Day 25
  Lake Grapevine, N TX

S/V Reve de Papa
  1971 Coronado 35
  Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana Coast

>>> r22yankeeclipper at hotmail.com 11/22/2005 8:12:31 PM >>>
Bill,
I'm not going to tell you about my unit, but will be glad to talk about my 
autopilot...I went with the ST2000, but not for any specific reason other 
than I read that it might be more reliable (I think in epinions.com) and I 
figured that more power could not hurt.  Will the ST1000 work?  Most likely 
it would be fine.  The R-22 helm is very light, even in heavy wind.

As for installation, I had it at Big Water Marina for several months with no 
progress before finding someone close to Atlanta (Lake Lanier) who had 
experience installing all kinds of autopilots on all kinds of boats.  He 
installed it quickly and perfectly and it is like most things: simple when 
you know what you're doing.  The installation is like this (in non-technical 
terms):
1. the pushrod hooks below the tiller with an offset bracket attached to the 
tiller. I don't know the size of the offset-but it isn't more than two 
inches.  There are three pushrod extensions, but I don't exactly know their 
lengths.  I believe they are 4 or 5 inches, 2 inches and then a 1 inch 
extension that I do not need and keep as an extra.
2. The unit installs on the top of the coaming - the little receptacle cup 
is sunk into the coaming flush with the surface and epoxied in place.  This 
installation is simple (since it does not require any additional brackets) 
and also allows my stern swivel captains seat to swing freely over it.
3. The unit is perfectly level installed this way and I understand that this 
is part of a good installation although I've been told it will work fine 
even if it's not level.
4. The electrical connection is directly below the unit on the seat back.  I 
also got a free remote which is installed and plugs into the bulkhead (I 
think).

This is the best addition to the boat that I have made (even though everyone 
laughed at me for adding it).  I singlehand a lot and it makes sailing much 
more enjoyable, less tiring and I am able to keep my drinks full and the 
music fresh.  Great when motoring also, although I do run over a lot of 
channel markers.  I also have a wind instrument and can set the a/p to hold 
a certain apparent wind angle - great on a lake when trying to point as high 
as possible.  Nice feature.

The unit performs flawlessly, although I had a problem recently as the 
internal gears were stripped.  I sent it back, they completely rebuilt the 
insides of the unit and sent it back to me at no charge.  Amazing customer 
service after 2.5 years.

In summary, I would avoid pedastals and mount it right on the coaming for 
simplicity.  I don't think you would go wrong with either the ST1000 or 2000 
- I have no knowledge of any other brands.

I wish I had some pictures, but I don't (on this new computer) and I won't 
be seeing the boat again for a couple months.

Best of luck.
Bob K
s/v Yankee Clipper


>From: "William E. Wickman" <wewickman at duke-energy.com>
>Reply-To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>To: rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org 
>Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Tiller Auto Pilot Question(s)
>Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2005 17:10:30 -0500
>
>I am looking at buying a Tillerpilot.  It looks like the Raymarine ST1000
>is the one everyone is getting.  For those of you with autopilots, I have a
>few questions:
>
>1)  Is the ST1000 the best unit for the Rhodes22?  Anyone have or use the
>Simrad?
>
>2) How did you install yours?  Any problems/challenges?  Did you install
>the pushrod pin above or below the tiller?  Where to install the base of
>the unit?  How about the power plug?
>
>3)  Does the unit have to be installed exactly level?  It looks to me like
>it would be impossible to install the mounting pedestal (or base unit
>mounting hole) perfectly horizontal because of the slope of the coaming.
>How did you deal with the non levelness issue?
>
>I read in the Rhodes22 FAQ where Roger recommended a 3" pedestal and 2- 5"
>rod extenders.  However, a recent picture of Yankee Clipper shows the unit
>mounted nearly flush to the deck with the pushrod mounted underneath the
>tiller.
>
>Basically, I would love to hear about everyone's experience with these
>contraptions.
>
>Thanks,
>Bill W.
>
>__________________________________________________
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