Page History: Autpilot Installation
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Page Revision: 2011/03/30 13:10
====Below Decks Autopilot
The big project for 2011 is installing a below-decks autopilot. Aeolus came with a Simrad tiller pilot which has delivered mixed results. When it works it works well, but it had a major repair and still is unreliable, usually weaving back and forth across the straight line course, and occasionally going nuts and taking a 90 degree turn. I think the root cause is the compass inside the tiller pilot. I kind of wish they would make one that didn't have a compass and just took its marching orders from the GPS chartplotter. In the grand scheme of things, a tiller pilot is at the "toy" range of autopilots, and who wants a mere toy when we can do better?
Also, since Aeolus has tiller steering, a below-decks autopilot has an additional appeal. When under way with a below-decks autopilot engaged I can tilt the tiller up and loosely bungee it to the backstay, creating a wide open cockpit while still having the tiller easily grab-able in an emergency.
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=Autopilot Selection
I selected a Raymarine X-30 Corepack with the ST70 control head, paired with an Octopus linear hydraulic drive. I considered a Simrad system, but was talked out of that by Mike Locatell who recommended Raymarine. He said all of the current autopilots perform well, but Raymarine has better service. This comment resonated with my personal experience: when trying to get the Simrad tiller pilot repaired, it literally took about a month to get through to a human who could help me. Their web site is abysmal, and I would typically wait on hold for 15 - 30 minutes on the phone with them only to be disconnected. So far, Raymarine's support is excellent. I asked a few questions through their web site and have always received an expert and informed response that completely resolved my question within 24 hours.
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=Installation