Forums > Sailing General

Tiller Pilots

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Created by troubadour > 9 months ago, 21 Aug 2019
troubadour
NSW, 317 posts
21 Aug 2019 7:32AM
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Sorry if this thread has already been discussed.
Simrad or Raymarine??
Thanks in advance SB brains trust

Sectorsteve
QLD, 2195 posts
21 Aug 2019 7:46AM
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I have a simrad. The same rated raymarine is lighter and seems less robust. Ive had no trouble(except a loose part inside as a result if me standing on it) with my simrad plus tech support are super helpful if you need any plans for the unit and will give you warranty no questions asked based on the serial number.
I was able to use the plans they sent to diagnose/fix my problem, which was"dont stand on the unit you fat ****"

Jolene
WA, 1554 posts
21 Aug 2019 7:14AM
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I'm pretty happy with my old Raymarine st 4000. I like the fact the control and compass are separate to the linear actuator. The control can be mounted out of harms way and where it can be seen at a glance and with quick easy access. The compass also provides heading data to the MFD (chart/radar)

wongaga
VIC, 600 posts
21 Aug 2019 11:33AM
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As always, your question begs another question: how do you intend to use it - type of boat, solo o crewed, day sail or short cruising or extended cruising etc etc?

I have both Simrad and Raymarine tiller pilots and because of the various issues I have had with both, developed an unhealthy obsession with them. The upside is I am pretty well acquainted with their internals. You can read various opinions and experiences including mine in this thread:

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Sailing/General/Autopilot-selection-and-set-up-help

Since I fitted internal limit switches to my ST2000+ it has given sterling service. A new sail that almost eliminated weather helm also helped enormously in allowing the unit to operate hassle-free. If I had my choice again
I would buy a Simrad TP32.

Cheers, Graeme

troubadour
NSW, 317 posts
21 Aug 2019 5:06PM
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Select to expand quote
wongaga said..
As always, your question begs another question: how do you intend to use it - type of boat, solo o crewed, day sail or short cruising or extended cruising etc etc?

I have both Simrad and Raymarine tiller pilots and because of the various issues I have had with both, developed an unhealthy obsession with them. The upside is I am pretty well acquainted with their internals. You can read various opinions and experiences including mine in this thread:

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Sailing/General/Autopilot-selection-and-set-up-help

Since I fitted internal limit switches to my ST2000+ it has given sterling service. A new sail that almost eliminated weather helm also helped enormously in allowing the unit to operate hassle-free. If I had my choice again
I would buy a Simrad TP32.

Cheers, Graeme


Hi Graeme
Cavalier 28 mostly solo mainly around the harbour but intend doing Sydney Pittwater and possibly down to Jervis Bay in the next couple of years.
Boat is pretty well balanced.
Cheers Dave

Madmouse
377 posts
21 Aug 2019 3:29PM
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There is one called Pelagic from the US which is made in small volume which is supposed to be better than the large brands.

Used by transatlantic guys.

wongaga
VIC, 600 posts
21 Aug 2019 5:47PM
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Select to expand quote
troubadour said..

wongaga said..
As always, your question begs another question: how do you intend to use it - type of boat, solo o crewed, day sail or short cruising or extended cruising etc etc?

I have both Simrad and Raymarine tiller pilots and because of the various issues I have had with both, developed an unhealthy obsession with them. The upside is I am pretty well acquainted with their internals. You can read various opinions and experiences including mine in this thread:

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Sailing/General/Autopilot-selection-and-set-up-help

Since I fitted internal limit switches to my ST2000+ it has given sterling service. A new sail that almost eliminated weather helm also helped enormously in allowing the unit to operate hassle-free. If I had my choice again
I would buy a Simrad TP32.

Cheers, Graeme



Hi Graeme
Cavalier 28 mostly solo mainly around the harbour but intend doing Sydney Pittwater and possibly down to Jervis Bay in the next couple of years.
Boat is pretty well balanced.
Cheers Dave


Sounds like either a Raymarine or a Simrad will do you. A Pelagic is much more robust but much dearer. I have an ST2000+ and a TP22 and have used both extensively on my Compass 28. Bearing in mind the stuff I outlined in that other thread, I'd be quite happy with either, so long as it didn't break.

Cheers, Graeme

Madmouse
377 posts
21 Aug 2019 6:19PM
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The Pelagic are $895US.

I have an ST2000 btw but would love to try the Pelagic.

l also have the remote for my ST2000 which is very handy. From Madman marine.. a guy in brisbane! Really awesome.

MorningBird
NSW, 2644 posts
21 Aug 2019 8:46PM
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I have a TP32 on an S&S34. It has been sat on, dropped, trodden on, soaked in sea water lots of times, bent and straightened. I replaced the belt a few years ago.
It works fine after 10 years hard use.
I have noticed steer to waypoint is playing up, it could be the old chart plotter or connections rather than the pilot.

wongaga
VIC, 600 posts
21 Aug 2019 8:53PM
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One thing that I notice is that for every story of one (Raymarine or SImrad) that crapped out early on, there is another of one like MB's that just keeps on keeping on. Must be patchy QA in the factories.

The two biggest killers seem to be water ingress (both) and drive issues in the Raymarines due to end of stroke stalling.

MorningBird
NSW, 2644 posts
21 Aug 2019 9:55PM
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Select to expand quote
MorningBird said..
I have a TP32 on an S&S34. It has been sat on, dropped, trodden on, soaked in sea water lots of times, bent and straightened. I replaced the belt a few years ago.
It works fine after 10 years hard use.
I have noticed steer to waypoint is playing up, it could be the old chart plotter or connections rather than the pilot.



Sorry, one other advantage of the SIMRAD is there is no need to put more holes in your boat for the control box or compass. It is all self contained.
I should also say it is getting quite noisy but it hasn't affected performance, yet.

slammin
QLD, 989 posts
22 Aug 2019 5:54AM
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I have an st1000 with aftermarket Madman remote key fob . The combo is pretty light on the wallet and works a treat. Always been good for me. I have made up a sleeve to reduce water and heat from the sun.
As above end of stroke stalling and water is the enemy.

Planeray
NSW, 208 posts
22 Aug 2019 12:02PM
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Incidentally, I'm looking at maybe picking up a TP22 myself at some point in the future - anyone know of a place to pick them up cheap/second hand?

wongaga
VIC, 600 posts
22 Aug 2019 3:48PM
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TP's and ST's come up on Gumtree from time to time, and seem to go around the $400 mark. btw anyone with a dud one they want to unload is welcome to pm me.

Cheers, Graeme

fretbrner
25 posts
23 Aug 2019 2:28PM
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Select to expand quote
Madmouse said..
The Pelagic are $895US.

I have an ST2000 btw but would love to try the Pelagic.

l also have the remote for my ST2000 which is very handy. From Madman marine.. a guy in brisbane! Really awesome.


Madhouse, that was one I was going to suggest. I have read good things about it. It looks well built with no plastics and I believe it is water proof as it is not an all in one product. From what I can gather sailors who race from CA and HI all the time, which is like sailing from Syndey to Samoa. they seem to use the full kit or at least the actuator.

You can interface it with NMAE 2000 devices with a converter if you wish as well. Seems about the same price for a simrad TP32 but more similar to the EV-1000 but much cheaper.

Madmouse
377 posts
23 Aug 2019 9:22PM
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Agree fatburner .l would like to hear more about the Pelagic. Its a lot smarter than the ST2000 and not that much more.
Mad Mouse

sirgallivant
NSW, 1529 posts
24 Aug 2019 9:47AM
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When l bought the tub it came with an ST1000 which was obviously too small for a 5 ton (all up) vessel. Someone was "saving a few dollars" buying the wrong TP (TilerPilot). The animal.

After it broke - did not take long, as it was on its way out, anyway - the chap at Aquatronic repaired it and l flogged it to a Seabreezer replacing it with the ST 2000 which served fine until the boat was sold and it is still working, no worries.

It was only about 650 bucks or so. (at Ww at BoatShowtime, -15%.)

As the Raymarine unfortunately, is made in red China, l would buy the Pelagic instead today, regardless of the costs which is only a few hundred bucks, anyway.

The first thing l did was to make a spray cover to keep it out of direct sunlight and spray.


The main problem with the TP, in most cases, is not the machine itself but it's operators, who expect it to work beyond it's parameters.
The TP, regardless of its make, is a sensitive equipment not an Incredible Hulk.
Beyond the AutoTack function they must be used for fine steering not turning the boat more than a few degrees.
The manual says so, giving warnings of how not to use the TP.

The preference of wheel or tiller is personal, l am a tiller person.
Beyond that, like on the family boat a B523OC, the twin wheel is apt while on Rhapsody the tiller was the appropriate solution.
The big Benny would be impossible to steer with a tiller while the Adams's cockpit would be overwhelmed by any wheel.
I am an old sailor, no million bucks condo here, to boot.


Yara
NSW, 1250 posts
24 Aug 2019 9:08PM
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Do any of the 22 or 2000 series have metal gears?
BTW when last I looked the Raymarine was made in Hungary.

sirgallivant
NSW, 1529 posts
25 Aug 2019 8:16PM
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Then, it's all forgiven!
Hungary is very good.
(Any place is good as long as it's not @#$%china.)

Foolish
65 posts
27 Aug 2019 2:21AM
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I just ordered a Pelagic. Hope to get delivery next week. I did a fair bit of research. The most important question that I asked was, "can the Pelagic manage my Olson 30 with the spinnaker up in 25 knots of wind?" The response was universally "yes". So if it can do that, then I'll be really happy.

I went through a few Raymarine units, but the electronics always got completely salted up. The repair service was very good, but I'd rather have something that doesn't crap out in the first place.

wongaga
VIC, 600 posts
27 Aug 2019 3:07PM
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Yara said..
Do any of the 22 or 2000 series have metal gears?
BTW when last I looked the Raymarine was made in Hungary.


Both have a mix of metal and plastic, but they are strictly speaking not gears but sprockets, that drive cogged belts. As far as I can tell, the belts give up before the cogs.

Madmouse
377 posts
27 Aug 2019 3:39PM
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Select to expand quote
Foolish said..
I just ordered a Pelagic. Hope to get delivery next week. I did a fair bit of research. The most important question that I asked was, "can the Pelagic manage my Olson 30 with the spinnaker up in 25 knots of wind?" The response was universally "yes". So if it can do that, then I'll be really happy.

I went through a few Raymarine units, but the electronics always got completely salted up. The repair service was very good, but I'd rather have something that doesn't crap out in the first place.


Ley me know how the Pelagic goes. I like the idea a lot.



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"Tiller Pilots" started by troubadour