[Rhodes22-list] Raymarine ST1000+ Tiller Pilot Installation Options

[mm.bizlist1 at gmail.com]

Hi Roger,
 
As usual, you have thought this out very carefully and you make some excellent points about the pros and cons of the pedestal vs the socket installation option for the Tiller Pilot.  Thanks again for all the great experience and guidance that you contribute to this forum.  I am cc’ing the list so your insights about the Tiller Pilot are available to others who might want to install it on their R22.
 
 
Mike McKay
s/v Liber (2006/2018)
Allatoona Lake
Acworth, GA
 
 
 
From: ROGER PIHLAJA <roger_pihlaja at msn.com> 
Sent: Saturday, February 11, 2023 8:32 AM
To: mm.bizlist1 at gmail.com
Subject: RE: Raymarine ST1000+
 
Hi Mike,
 
There’s more than one way to skin this cat.  I don’t want to disparage the way another sailor accomplished the same installation.
 
I considered using the under tiller bracket.  But, I rejected that route because I didn’t want any hardware hanging off the bottom of the tiller.  I have a tiller cover custom made of Sunbrella acrylic fabric.  The cover fits the tiller fairly closely and I would have had to make a new tiller cover or alter the existing cover to fit the bracket.  I was also concerned the bracket would tend to snag on stuff like the mainsheet, traveler control lines, and the lazarette hatch cover.
 
In contrast, with the pedestal mount, there is only a small pin left protruding from the top of the tiller when the Tillerpilot is not in use.  The pedestal mount screws into a special base plate thru bolted onto the top of the gunnel.  When the Tillerpilot is not in use, only the baseplate remains and it is not tall enough to snag anything.
 
When the Tillerpilot is in use, with either method of installation, there are plenty of “things” a line might get fouled up on.  There is a real possibility of damaging the Tillerpilot.  You must be careful not to let that happen no matter how the Tillerpilot is installed.  I would rate the two methods even in this respect.  When we are sailing with the Tillerpilot, the boat is in “cruising” mode and we tend to sail gently and  conservatively.  When the Tillerpilot is not in use, often we are racing or otherwise sailing aggressively.  I preferred my method of Tillerpilot mounting because it “cleans up” the tiller and gunnel to a large extent for when the boat is being sailed hard.
 
Having said all that, obviously wewickman’s method works.  It’s your choice.
 
I think my previous post gave a list of all the pieces/parts necessary to install the Tillerpilot my way.  But, let me know if you have any more questions.
 
Roger Pihlaja
S/V Dynamic Equilibrium
 
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From: mm.bizlist1 at gmail.com <mailto:mm.bizlist1 at gmail.com> 
Sent: Friday, February 10, 2023 11:08 AM
To: 'ROGER PIHLAJA' <mailto:Roger_Pihlaja at msn.com> 
Subject: RE: Raymarine ST1000+
 
Hi Roger,
 
I realize now that it wasn’t your article on the Tiller Pilot installation, it was from wewickman(?).  See attached.
 
Thanks,
 
Mike
 
From: ROGER PIHLAJA <Roger_Pihlaja at msn.com <mailto:Roger_Pihlaja at msn.com> > 
Sent: Thursday, February 9, 2023 5:46 AM
To: Michael McKay <mm.bizlist1 at gmail.com <mailto:mm.bizlist1 at gmail.com> >
Subject: Re: Raymarine ST1000+
 
Michael, 
 
I did use the Raymarine Pedestal Socket.  Can you send me the picture you are referring to?
 
Roger Pihlaja
S/V Dynamic Equilibrium 
Sent from my iPhone
 
On Feb 8, 2023, at 10:54 PM, Michael McKay <mm.bizlist1 at gmail.com <mailto:mm.bizlist1 at gmail.com> > wrote:
 Hi Roger, 
 
I’m finally getting around to installing my Tiller Pilot.  When I reviewed your installation notes, you say you used the Raymarine Pedestal Socket, but your picture appears to show the standard Raymarine mounting socket that comes with the Tiller Pilot.   Am I misreading that?

Thanks,
 
Mike
Michael McKay
(630) 209-2054 (m)
 
Sent from my iPhone
 
On Mar 8, 2021, at 8:01 PM, Michael McKay <mm.bizlist1 at gmail.com <mailto:mm.bizlist1 at gmail.com> > wrote:
 
Hi Roger,
Thanks for the valuable information.  My ultimate goal is to equip s/v Liber with a complete chartplotter and autopilot.  Not because I need it on my little lake, but for the fun and educational value of the project and perhaps some utility during trailer-sailing adventures.
I will of course choose a Raymarine chartplotter to simplify integration.  If you have any thoughts about that I am eager to hear from you.
Thanks again!
Mike McKay
s/v Liber 2006/2018

 


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Fri, Feb 19, 9:12 AM 
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 to The
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Mike,

I’ve had a Raymarine ST1000+ Tiller Pilot on S/V Dynamic Equilibrium for about 15 years.  I found it most convenient to use the Raymarine Pedestal Socket to mount the ST1000+ onto the top of the gunnel.  I believe I used the shortest socket assembly 38 mm (P/N: D026) to adjust the vertical position to level out the ST1000+ relative to the tiller.  But, you should measure your boat before ordering this part.  If the ST1000+ is not level relative to the tiller; then, the geometry changes as the actuator strokes and the effective gain of the controller will not be constant.  Variable controller gain is not conducive to holding a steady course.  You will also need some pushrod extensions.  I believe I used the 152 mm (P/N: D008) + the 25 mm (P/N: D003) pushrod extensions.  But, again, you should measure your boat before ordering these parts.  On the tiller, I used the standard tiller pin, epoxied in place.  Be careful to get compound angle of the pin correct on the tiller when you drill the hole.  Remember you only get one chance to drill this hole correctly.  If you screw it up; then, the tiller is ruined!  You want the pin to be vertical with the tiller fully lowered and located 460 mm from the centerline of the rudder’s pintles.  The Pedestal Socket comes with a big backing plate to facilitate thru bolting.  I did not reinforce the gunnel and have had no issues with structural failure.  I mounted the waterproof plug and socket on the side of the cockpit coaming aft of the ST1000, so it would not obstruct seating while the ST1000+ is in use.

If you only want to use your ST1000+ as a basic autopilot with no communication to other instruments via the Seatalk bus or NMEA 0183 bus; then, all you need to provide is 12 amps DC power.  The circuit should be separately fused.  If you want to use the hand held remote &/or communicate with other instruments; then, contact me off the list and I will try to assist.

Basically, it’s a pretty easy installation although there are a few potential booby traps.  The supplied owner’s handbook is pretty good.  If you take your time, follow the instructions, and measure twice/cut once; then, you’ll be fine.  It’s a very useful accessory and I really like mine.  It’s been totally bulletproof.

My ST1000+ does best on points of sail forward of the beam, ie beam reaching up to close hauled.  On points of sail aft of the beam, ie broad reach to a run, there is usually a following sea.  When that following sea is hitting the boat from a stern quarter, it requires the helmsman to anticipate the effect of a wave by counter steering as the wave is passing under the boat.  The ST1000+ (Or any autopilot) has no way to anticipate anything.  So, it’s always in reactive mode and the steered course can look a little wobbly.  It helps to reduce sail area and distribute the sail area fore/aft to keep the helm balanced.  Of course, these are conditions that require the most skill and attention from a human helmsman as well.  The ST1000+ is not as good at maintaining a downwind course as a skilled helmsman who is paying attention.  But, it’s better than a newby helmsman or a tired &/or inattentive helmsman.

Roger Pihlaja
S/V Dynamic Equilibrium
 
-- 
Michael McKay (mm.bizlist1 at gmail.com <mailto:mm.bizlist1 at gmail.com> )