2 Questions

[VidaliA]

I just finished reading "london goes to sea" again. Now I am thinking spring, and have a couple questions regarding my cd28.

1) I am interested in hearing peoples experiences with the tiller auto pilots. I was looking at the st2000 and the next size up. It seems the 28 falls right in the middle of the two specs.

2) I have the universal 14HP M18. I believe I need to replace the alternator or voltage regulator. What size alternator can I install, and how much will it cost with a voltage regulator?

If anyone has any info or experiences with this I would really appreciate it.

Thanks in advance,
Axel

[Joe Myerson]

Hi Axel:

I've got a 25D, so I'm not sure how this comment applies, however:

Last spring I installed a ST2000 tillerpilot. It was rated for boats larger than the 25D, like your 28, but I decided to go with it, based on other owners' comments on this board.

The tillerpilot has made my solo sailing much easier: I mostly use it while raising or lowering my sails, or when I'm motoring for a long stretch. However, I have used it under sail, and it allows me to relax or even go below for very short periods of time.

One drawback: The ST2000 does use quite a bit of power. But, overall, it's well worth it.

Based on my experience, you might consider a bigger model, but the ST2000 should work well with a 28.

Best,

--Joe

[Warren Kaplan]

I also installed the ST2000+ on my CD27. I solo most of the time and as Joe said, its been akin to a godsend.

I think the ST2000+ is rated for a displacement up to 10,000 pounds (but double check that). So it should work well with your CD28

[Steve Laume]

I might not be the most informed person to comment on this but it has never stopped me before. I changed my alternator to a higher output Baldor unit. I went with an external smart regulator and a dedicated starting battery with and echo charger.

If you wanted to keep expenses down you could take your alternator to any good automotive electrical shop and have it rebuilt. The next step would be to have the internal regulator disabled and install an external smart regulator. You could replace the whole shebang with a high output marine altermnator and smart regulator.

There is really no end to how much money you could spend or complexity you can build into your boat.

You will definitely enjoy your auto pilot. It is a single handers best friend, Steve.

[sgbernd]

This Tiller Pilot is fine for the CD28. I have been very happy with mine for the past seven years. I made some installation comments in an earlier post you might wish to review. Regarding power consumption, I have never noticed it as an issue, because when underway for long periods, the motor will be on some of that time due to lack of wind.

-sgbernd

[Kittiwake]

Kittiwake has an ST2000 - it is rated for 10,000, which is almost too low for a loaded up CD 28. It works very well, other than running against the strong ICW currents in SC, GA, no FL - with the MD7A and full keel, doesn't seem to be able to hold much of a line. Also helps alot in sail trim - when they're trimmed out right, the unit uses very little power, since it isn't readjusting. Mine is not hooked up to chartplotter, although that could be done.

[Cathy Monaghan]

...I am interested in hearing peoples experiences with the tiller auto pilots. I was looking at the st2000 and the next size up. It seems the 28 falls right in the middle of the two specs....

Hi Axel,

The ST2000 Plus Tiller Pilot is for sailing vessels up to 10,000 lbs (4,500 kg) . That number includes the displacement of the vessel PLUS everything that's on board plus the crew weight. A CD28 has a displacement of 9,000 lbs empty. With all the tanks full and loaded up for cruising, she'll go up to, and most likely over, 10,000 lbs. And you don't want to run an autopilot at it's limit. You need the next size up. The SmartPilot X-5 Tiller autopilot is designed for vessels with a laden displacement of up to 13,200lbs (6,000 kg). This is the right one for your boat if you decide to stick with a Raymarine product.

Cathy
CD32 Realization, #3
Rahway, NJ
Raritan Bay

[Neil Gordon]

>>The ST2000 Plus Tiller Pilot is for sailing vessels up to 10,000 lbs (4,500 kg) . <<

I'm thinking the tiller pilot doesn't care how much the boat actually weighs, just as the helmsperson doesn't care. What matters is how much effort is needed to push/pull the tiller. Assuming proper sail trim and the like, weight doesn't seem the only factor.

I accept that it's a handy shortcut, but as averages go, does a CD28 take more or less effort to steer than a (presumably) larger boat of the same weight?

[Dixon Hemphill]

Like most of the others replying, I too use a ST2000 which I recently installed on my CD28 and find it an excellent piece of equitment. It really does steer the boat in the direction you want to go and makes life much easier especially when singlehanding.

I sure wish my friend and I had it onboard last June when we sailed from Annapolis to Rhode Island and back. Holding onto the tiller for 750 miles became a real hassle!

I strongly urge anyone considering an autopilot to buy the ST1000 or 2000 depending on the weight of the boat.

[winthrop fisher]

all was go one size up....it makes a differents....winthrop

[The Patriot]

... I'm thinking the tiller pilot doesn't care how much the boat actually weighs ... What matters is how much effort is needed to push/pull the tiller ... does a CD28 take more or less effort to steer than a (presumably) larger boat of the same weight? ...

All good questions. Intuitively a larger (i.e., more powerful) pilot should do better, all else being equal. Balanced against that is the additional cost, complexity of operation, installation requirements, etc. We are fortunate that this design is relatively tame when it comes to using an electronic pilot, particularly under power. When sailing we almost always try to engage the mechanical windvane (Navik), even for short hops, so power draw usually does not become too much of an issue.

I have used electronic tiller pilots on my CD28 since the early 1980s and have experience with at least 3 different brands. I started with one of the original (old style) Autohelm 1000 units with the round dial on top. Quite primitive but worked well enough. I then added a Navico TP5500 (with HP5000 remote) in the early 1990s. A nice unit, although only about average in construction quality. Since about year 2000 I've been using the Raymarine TP2000+ (of which I carry 2). I use both the wired remote (via Seatalk) and the small wireless remote, and both work well. These autopilot units have a reputation for getting a bit damp inside from time to time, which seems just plain lame considering their intended use. I have not had issues with the remotes. Just to mix it up the Raymarine 2000+ receives piloting data from whichever GPS or laptop is selected. This is a lot of complexity for a small boat like the CD28, but at current exchange rates marine grade wire is still cheaper than laying on additional crew and shipping additional expensive scotch whiskey.

If I had to start from scratch I'd probably go with the Raymarine 2000+ unit, but frankly there doesn't seem to be a lot of competition in this size range. The comparable Simrad units get good reviews, but there is so little reliable data that we all end up making what amounts to a best guess. The bigger Raymarine pilot referenced above looks good on paper, but it's at least twice the cost of the 2000+, and carrying a separate self-contained spare 2000+ guarantees getting home when the unit acts up (which it definitely will). Raymarine service has been good so far, but it has been needed more than once over the years.

After all this time I just haven't found any other device that meets the requirement in a practical way. And even when additional crew is available, sitting at the tiller for hours at a stretch while motoring during vacation (or on longer trips) just seems like a silly way to grow old.