CD27 Autopilot

[marka]

I'd be interested in opinions on the best autopilot for a '27 for coastal cruising on Lake Ontario. I've read you should buy oversized by a factor of 2.

[Dick Kobayashi]

I think any tiller pilot will be fine, but you are right about oversizing. If you look carefully you will see that the max deflection of the tiller will be about 20 degrees, not enought to overcome significant weather helm. Under sail in all but very moderate conditions you will have to adjust sail trim to reduce weather helm as much as possible. Hence there are two recommendations: buy the most powerful unit and learn sail trim.

[Neil Gordon]

If you look carefully you will see that the max deflection of the tiller will be about 20 degrees, not enought to overcome significant weather helm.

Twenty degrees on the tiller turns the rudder into a brake. The boat needs a reef.

[Dick Barthel]

I think the Raymarine ST 2000 is rated for up to 10,000 pounds which should give you plenty of leeway on a 27. It works flawlessly on my 25D which is a few thousand pounds lighter at 5200 pounds. I find the unit struggles in any kind of seaway, especially when sailing downwind. But other than that she's great.

Dick

[Richard G.]

I have a Raymarine 2000 + on my CD27. The key, as has been mentioned earlier, is sail trim so one does not overtax the unit. Reducing sail area to reduce weather helm is essential to avoid breaking the unit let alone having it perform well.