autopilots

[mychaos]

I am trying to decide what autopilot to put on my J/35. It needs to be dependable under power or sail, in light or medium (20 kts +)weather. Boat has a tiller, and there are basically two types available. Cockpit type that attaches directly to the tiller when used, taken off when not used. The other type is a below deck system and sounds better, but is 5x more expensive.
Does anyone have any experience using autopilots a lot in a similar application? Recommendations? I looking at an Autohelm 6000 vs. a B&G Pilot system. Thanks.

[voodooacrobat]

I borrowed a cockpit-type Autohelm last year from a friend and I went out and bought one of my own before I begain sailing this season. I have the ST1000+ by Raymarine and think it was the best $400 I've spent in a long, long time. I don't know the weight of your boat, but this model is meant to handle boats up to 6,600 lbs.

Installation took about an hour and it works great. You become a passenger at the push of a button. I singlehand a lot, and it really is great from a safety and comfort standpoint. I used to tie off the helm and scamper to the foredeck to tend my hank-on headsails before the wind shifted. Now I can hang out on the foredeck, cook a meal, read charts, etc. I just have to trim the sails and check for traffic.

It does take up a bit of room in the cockpit, but that's really the only disadvantage. For the money, you can't beat it.

[sailingdog]

Voodoo-

You do realize that you're replying to a post that is almost EIGHT YEARS OLD, right?

BTW, if you do have a tiller pilot, I would highly recommend making a splash cover for the unit. One of the biggest causes of failure is due to water intrusion and a splash cover seems to help prevent the water intrusion related failures.

[JimsCAL]

I've used a cockpit-type Navico TP1800 on my Cal 9.2 for over 10 years. Simple to use, works great, and has been very reliable. I normally use it when cruising when winds are light or when motoring, but have used occasionally in strong gusty winds.

Don't pay too much attention to the unit boat displacement ratings. Far more important is the amount of weather helm. My Cal balances very nicely and that greatly helps the unit work well. It would struggle with a boat that wasn't so well balanced.

[negrini]

Authelm doesn't exist anymore ! 6000 has long discontinued ! Mychaos sold boat and now he's a competent chicken farmer.

[sailaway21]

Keep it up, Negrini, and we're going to have to admit you to the AFOC ranks.

[camaraderie]

Sway...I think we have a second to the nomination. Negrini is definitely AFOC material and we need another Portugese speaking member AND I believe our first South American member. This will give us AFOC's on 4 continents!!
BTW...I think we also have another corollary to Sailnet Denial here.
May we call it the "Negrini Effect"

Negrini Effect... "AFTER being informed that a post is 8 years old and the original poster now is taking the big dirt nap... salient advice is still provided in the expectation that the OP may rise from the dead and take said advice"

Perhaps a new thread is needed to document sailnet denial AND the two corollaries we presently have as well as future additions.

[sailaway21]

Cam,
It couldn't be any worse than Dog's keys to posting on sailnet. And all of the fun would be in the copious examples of denial, Negrini effect, and Sapper syndrome. If we can round this out with a few more symptoms I am confident that federal funding will be an inevitability. Besides, funding us makes about as much sense as the mohair subsidy or some of those bridges they're building. (just kidding there, Dog!)

[sailingdog]

Grrr....bark, Bark, Bark....

[voodooacrobat]

Damn. I'm still snickering to myself about replying to this ancient post. You'd think I was lonely for conversation, but mostly it's enthusiasm for my new Autohelm. I want everyone - even the dead guy - to know how cool it is! I love playing with new toys!

The splash cover is a good idea, by the way. Thanks.