Does anyone have experience with selecting and installing an autopilot on the tiller? I'm singlehanding a lot and wonder if there is a better way than constantly tying off the tiller.
thanks
Steve Hinote
Chant de Mer
stepnote@aol.com
CD25 autopilot
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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jim stull
Re: CD25 autopilot
Hi Steve.Does anyone have experience with selecting and installing an autopilot on the tiller? I'm singlehanding a lot and wonder if there is a better way than constantly tying off the tiller.
thanks
Steve Hinote
Chant de Mer
Two seasons ago, a singlehander, who was next to us, fitted one to his boat and liked it so well, we installed one on out CD25 also. We selected the Navico Tillerpilot 200 because of his experience. We have been very happy with it. Since my wife and I sail together, I don't use it much while daysailing but on a trip where we want to hold course, I use it full time. If I am trying to steer for long periods of time, I find my concentration wanders, (until my wife hollers at me). This unit steered for 10 hours straight when we crossed to Canada this summer. This freed me up to navigate, eat and watch for freighters. Great tool! It took a bit of head scratching to get it fitted in a way which did not interfere with anything but it worked out fine. We keep it in a heavy cloth bag in the lazzerette. It can be dropped into place, plugged in and set in a minute or two.
I don't currently have a photo of the set-up but if you are interested I will take a couple.
Cheers
Jim
jtstull @icubed.com
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Lee H. Hodsdon
Re: CD25 autopilot
Steve,
I agree completely with Jim. We use a Autohelm 2000+ on our CD 25D and I can not say enough good about the unit. Ours in integrated with the GPS so point to point navigation is a real snap. No probems with power usage. It is a rugged unit. Last October I singlehanded from East Boothbay, ME to Portsmouth, NH in rather nasty weather. I wedged myself in the companionway and let the autopilot drive. Waves were relatively large and the boat was constantly trying to change course. The AP worked flawlessly.
I'd recommend getting a unit which is oversized for your boats displacement. The beefier unit will last longer. One safety note, I always clip on to the boat when I'm alone and under autopilot. Don't want the last thing I see to be the transom of my boat going over the horizon.
Sincerely,
Lee
lhodsdon@nh.ultranet.com
I agree completely with Jim. We use a Autohelm 2000+ on our CD 25D and I can not say enough good about the unit. Ours in integrated with the GPS so point to point navigation is a real snap. No probems with power usage. It is a rugged unit. Last October I singlehanded from East Boothbay, ME to Portsmouth, NH in rather nasty weather. I wedged myself in the companionway and let the autopilot drive. Waves were relatively large and the boat was constantly trying to change course. The AP worked flawlessly.
I'd recommend getting a unit which is oversized for your boats displacement. The beefier unit will last longer. One safety note, I always clip on to the boat when I'm alone and under autopilot. Don't want the last thing I see to be the transom of my boat going over the horizon.
Sincerely,
Lee
lhodsdon@nh.ultranet.com