Thanks for your comments, Chad. I do have and use a Tiller Tamer, which will keep me on course for a short period, but not long. I too have noticed how you can "carve a turn" as we do with kayaks by heeling the boat with your weight on one side or the other. The complexity of another piece of electronics is definitely something to consider. Gordon On Nov 17, 2009, at 12:49 PM, Chad Parrish wrote:
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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