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

[Bob Keller]

Bill,
The remote is really not that valuable on a small boat like ours.  Just 
another gadget to mess around with.  Of course, I like mine when it's 
raining because I can steer from inside the cabin!
Bob K


>From: "William E. Wickman" <wewickman at duke-energy.com>
>Reply-To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>Subject: RE: [Rhodes22-list] Tiller Auto Pilot Question(s)
>Date: Wed, 23 Nov 2005 12:30:30 -0500
>
>
>Thanks for the input Herb and Bob.  Now, if I can just find one that comes
>with the remote....  Unfortunately, it looks like Raymarine discontinued
>offering the free wired remote and replaced it with a high dollar wireless
>remote.  Granted the wireless can interface with other SeaTalk items, but
>at $350 it costs almost as much as the tillerpilot!  Don't you just love
>corporate greed?
>
>Bill W.
>
>
>
>
>
>              "Herb Parsons"
>              <hparsons at parsons
>              ys.com>                                                    To
>              Sent by:                  <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>              rhodes22-list-bou                                          cc
>              nces at rhodes22.org
>                                                                    Subject
>                                        RE: [Rhodes22-list] Tiller Auto
>              11/22/2005 10:36          Pilot Question(s)
>              PM
>
>
>              Please respond to
>                The Rhodes 22
>                  mail list
>              <rhodes22-list at rh
>                 odes22.org>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>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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