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Date Posted: - Thursday - 02/16/06 - 11:42pm
Author: robert
Subject: auto steering
In reply to: marcus 's message, "auto tiller vs. windvane" on - Wednesday - 02/15/06 - 11:04am

mechanical/windvane wont shortwhen wet.boats are wet.you still need to keep constant lookout.

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Replies:

[> Tillerpilots -- Mike Cox, - Saturday - 02/18/06 - 11:29am

I have a Simrad WP32 (WheelPilot)and a windvane on my TM-36 ketch. I used a Simrad TillerPilot on my previous boat and it was very reliable. I have sailed many miles and crossed the Gulf of Mexico with the Simrad WP32 and it was very reliable as well. I have Edson pedestal steering on my Tayana Mariner, so I don't know how the installation of a WheelPilot would work out on the worm-gear steering of other Mariners. My WP32 has been soaked with both fresh and salt water numerous times and continues to operate without problems. I have had more things break on my windvane then on my WheelPilot. The TillerPilots and WheelPilots certainly drain the battery bank while the windvane does not. You must monitor and manage your battery banks while using them. WheelPilots/TillerPilots have very clear advantages over the windvane when under iron genny. If I were on an extended cruise, I would have both the WheelPilot and the Windvane. If I could only have one, it would be the WheelPilot. Personally, I would (and do) carry a spare WheelPilot as a back-up on any long voyage. I am well aware of the "published" pros and cons of the WheelPilots vs. the below-deck perminately installed autopilots. However, based on my experience and considering the performance/reliability, the much lower cost, and the ease of installation and removal for repair of the WheelPilots, I would equip my boat with a WheelPilot over a below-deck autopilot.

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[> [> Agree 100% Mike -- Bill Kranidis, - Saturday - 02/18/06 - 10:58pm

I think the ultimate setup would be to own both a Simrad Autopilot and a windvane. The problem with the worm gear steering is that in anything lower than broadreach going downwind, the autopilot at times is not quick enough. On all other points the windvane can be stored away. One other thing that I noticed, is that the Simrad WP5000 does not chew away the amps in a major way either. It was actually very frugal. Without a worm gear steering, two autopilots would do great and at a very minimal cost.

Bill

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[> [> [> autopilots -- marcus, - Sunday - 02/19/06 - 11:19am

Hello All and Thank You for your input. The Simrad booklet does claim the draw on the bats to be low. How much I am unsure of, but I do know how much work it is to hold on to the tiller for two daylight cycles in a row. I am shure it takes some mechanical work to get the job done; thus the electrical demand must be at least equal. I think my two 1.5 ft by 4 ft solar panels will keep up with the draw. but I am not sure as testing is under way, and not finished. The Perkins 4-107 runs well, so this is all an exercise in the worst case scenerio. BTW Simrad claims the auto tiller is tested to work under water for 3 hours. On my boat the most likely cause of electrical failure would be water over the bats. The rest of the auto tiller connections are with gaskets and Anchor thermoplastic sealant lined shrink tube.
Thank you, and the 4 bilge pumps
Marcus

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