tiller autopilot

[trufus]

I sail a Beneteau First 325 and plan on installing a tiller autopilot for singlehanding. Currently sailing an inland lake but intend to move to Lake Michigan in a couple years... Raymarine or Simrad and model suggestions? Boat displacement 9500 pounds...

[camaraderie]

The raymarine 2000+ would be your best bet unless you want to prep for heavier long distance single-handing on lake M in which case the Simrad tp32 provides nearly twice the thrust for about $250 more. If you are just gonna day sail and weekend then I'd say the 2000+ will be fine.

[davidbrooke2003]

My Simrad TP-10 has been going strong on the open ocean for 5 years. Simple all in one unit. I would highly recomend it. The built in sea state is really great for 12' seas plus.

www.sailingfreespirit.com

[sailingdog]

You might want to go up to the Raymarine 4000, which is a more solid unit, and moves the fluxgate compass to below decks. The installation is a bit more complicated than on the 2000 though...as you have to install a control panel for it... there are no display or controls on the tiller attachment itself.

The Simrad TP-10 is probably a bit undersized for what you need.

[fendertweed]

I have a Raymarine 2000 on my Pearson 26, I like it but do not love it, I have yet to get its gain figured out for varying conditions, in certain conditions it will track great, but, for example, it is often hard to keep from wandering when under power. I'm not sure if this is a function of my somewhat stiff rudder bushings, or something else.

But it's very useful and valuable to have in numerous situations IMO.

Jon

[sailaway21]

The Raymarine 4000 tiller pilot has been replaced with the S-1 tiller pilot at about $100 above the price of the 4000. Not clear yet on what "improvements" have been made.