Hi Gordon, On our M15, I only used my own home-made "tiller-tamer", or sheet to tiller control to hold a course. Both worked reasonably well, though the M15 being small and light is very trim sensitive. If you move forward, .... the course changes. On my previous large boats I have played all the games to achieve self-steering: I designed and built a wind vane steering system that mounted on the stern pulpit. When there was wind, it worked very nicely and held a very good course over longer periods of time. The catch here is: No wind; .... no self steering I have also played the sheet to tiller methods game for holding a course. Once you learn how to do it - it's a lot of trial and error - it works very nicely without the complexity of lines criss-crossing the cockpit. Whenever I set up the wind vane my wife complained about getting caught in my spiderweb of lines when she wanted to stretch out on the cockpit seat and sunbathe. Like the wind vane system this method works well, ....... if there is wind. No wind, ..... no self steering Since we occasionally also had the problem you mentioned, long hauls with no wind and under power, then the only thing that works reliably is an electronic autopilot. We finally bought one, I believe it was called a Tiller Master (ca. 1988), and worked directly on the tiller (the other end was fastened to a swivel fitting on the cockpit coaming. It had an internal compass, so that you could rotate a dial to set the course, and then switch it on. It held an excellent course hour after hour motoring (but having a Universal Atomic 4 as an engine, I also had the necessary electrical power to run to autopilot). This type of tiller autopilot was a very simple installation, and, in use, didn't clutter up the cockpit. It also handled swells and waves very well. Connie
Hey Gordon,
I picked up a tiller pilot from West Marine a couple of years back and was all set to install it until I tried a tiller tamer set up and found that to work reasonably well. As long as I am either motoring or am sailing well balanced it performs well. Much better on the M17 then on the M15 though as the M17 seems to be less effected by my movement then my M15 does. Although on our trip last summer I found that the boat would turn opposite of which side I was standing on much like a hard chined kayak does which was kind of fun.
The tiller pilot I picked up is a raymarine ST-1000 and seems well suited to smaller boats. Perhaps this winter I will finally get around to installing it, but honestly I am not sure I want the added complexity.
--Chad
On Nov 17, 2009, at 12:33 PM, Gordon Gilbert wrote:
One of the upgrades I've been considering for my M-17 is a tiller pilot. However, I have mixed feelings about such a device as I enjoy the intimacy with the water environment a small craft allows--and I wonder if too much "automation" will detract from that. Plus, I believe in the KISS approach to boat-keeping. But on a couple of cruises this past summer I had some long stretches of motoring (six hours returning from Isle Royale) or hours-long no-tacking sailing legs where a tiller pilot would have allowed me to brew a cup of joe or make a sandwich or just enjoy the view from the boat's bow.
Having said all of that, I'm curious as to how many Monty owners have installed tiller pilots on their boats. If you have, what brand did you choose, how did the installation go and how has it worked out? Does the pilot work well? Do you use it as much as you anticipated? I would enjoy getting your input, advice or opinions. Thanks!
Gordon '83 M-17 #377 "Sapphire" Milwaukee, WI
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