hello folks!
i would appreciate tiller pilot recommendations. i have a falmouth cutter 26. i am asking you channel cutter sailors as our boat displacements are more similar than the falmouth 22. the 26 displacement is 12000 lbs.
good price point coupled with reliability are what i am looking for.
thanks in advance for taking the time to reply.
jo anne ross
Jo Anne,
Have you tried the “Search” option of this forum? I tried ‘tiller pilot’ and ‘autohelm’ and got a fair number of comments from the last few years.
Shaula has used Autohelm 4000’s after the Autohelm 2000 died. We didn’t opt for the more powerful 4000 GT as we didn’t know about it when we bought our first 4000. Later we needed another 4000 while the first one was being repaired, and since the 2 weren’t compatable, we ended up with two standard 4000’s. They have both been repaired once, but we are satisfied with them. Our last repair was before Autohelm was taken over by Ray Marine, so don’t have any info on the current service situation.
I think all the current tiller pilots are severely challenged by big seas, and if there’s any wind, you’re much better off with wind vane steering. Where are you located and where are you planning to cruise?
Dan
Shaula BCC #59
I just ordered A SIMRAD TP32 on the recommendation of a few people here, and a fellow I met here with a CCY. I plan to use it for motoring only (just about).
thanks dan. i didn’t think about the search option. i’ll take a look.
i’m looking for some help when motoring. current sailing (when i get off the hard) area primarily east coast up to about charleson, weather permitting, typically offshore, and the bahamas.
i checked with anderson boatworks and was quoted $7500.00 for a freehand system.
boy, that monitor is starting to look verrry pretty.
BTW, ben i’m enjoying your website. the more you have to do the better i feel.
my confession aside, thanks-Great website!
jo anne ross
falmouth cutter 26
We recently purchased a Simrad TP-32 tiller pilot for motoring only. Prior to this purchase we had a Raymarine ST-400 (not repairable).
For sailing we use a Cape Horn windvane. It weights perhaps 35lb compared to 60 lb for the monitor.
The Freehand system works but the trim tab may induce a heavy helm when motoring or sailing without the system engages. Perhaps owners of this system could provide feedback on their experiences.
Hopefully, we will receive feedback from Cape Horn owners.
Regardless of which system you select, the key to any windvane is balancing the helm. Windvane systems do not work well when the boat has weather helm or lee helm.
IDUNA
I have the Raymarine 4000 (I believe that is the correct model number), and have had no problems with it so far. I was fully prepared to buy the more powerful GT model, but was dissuaded from doing so by the dealer. In his view, the GT is way overpriced. He advised that I buy the 4000 and consider purchasing a spare motor for about $80 in the event that the original fails. Apparently it is “plug and play”.