Gordon, Great question! Must be the time of year when we think about what we want to add, change, delete, fix for next season. We were just discussing an AP on the weekend, as I had seen a fall special on the Raymarine ST-1000+ at the "toy" store I frequent. I searched the archives for this list and also on Trailer Sailor and found some interesting info. Mixed opinions of course. If I was out for 2 weeks, and running the AP for a couple of hours each day, I might be tempted to add a second battery. Especially if I was running depth sounder and GPS. I still have to add my amp load. If you go to the Raymarine site and drill down to the ST-1000, there is a manual in .pdf that you can download. We have used the line from the cleats around the tiller on all our boats and it works pretty well. Lets you relax your posture a bit. I am sure the AP would let you relax even more which could be a bad thing. Do you have jack lines and tether for going forward while single handing? Bill Wickett M17, Cambridge, ON On Tue, Nov 17, 2009 at 1:33 PM, Gordon Gilbert <Gordon@financialwriting.net
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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