Suggestions for tiller autohelm

[glcalahan]

I have a 1972 Pearson 33 and am considering purchasing a tiller auto helm. The boat dry weight is 11200 lbs so my guess is 2000 lbs provisioned.

I am looking for opinions and also those of you with experience using an auto helm would weigh in. Which maker has equal motoring/sailing attributes and also durability for a 2000 lb. boat?? I don't want to push the limits at 2000 lbs.

Thanks in advance?

GC

[Mike OReilly]

I have a much heavier boat than yours, and use a Raymarine SPX-5GP. I don't think they make them anymore, but they were specs for boats up to 18,000#. Mine is actually quite a bit more, but it has always served me well.


However, if/when I replace it, I will get a Pelagic: https://pelagicautopilot.com/

[Don C L]

Those Pelagics look nice and I think the Simrad TP-32 would also work well for your boat. Do you think you'll really load her up to 20,000 lbs? Or did you mean you will be adding a ton of provisions?
https://defender.com/en_us/simrad-tillerpilot-tp32

[Pegu Club]

Originally Posted by Don C L

Those Pelagics look nice and I think the Simrad TP-32 would also work well for your boat. Do you think you'll really load her up to 20,000 lbs? Or did you mean you will be adding a ton of provisions?
https://defender.com/en_us/simrad-tillerpilot-tp32

We use a Pelagic in conjunction with our Monitor steering vane, works fine under motor in that application when the wind is not cooperating,

Fair winds,

[bergius]

Right now we have a Raymarine ST4000+ which works fine. We’re adding a WindPilot Pacific for offshore usage.

If the ST4000+ ever fails, we’ll likely go with the PCNautic autopilot. Same linear drive as in Pelagic, but pypilot controller. They also sell these linear drives adapted to various commercial autopilots.

[wingssail]

We use Ray Marine X5 with a ST4000GP drive unit. We've had various versions of these units for 30 years. Apparently the current model is EV-100 TILLER PILOT.

It is good for light duty on our 43' sloop. If there is much wind and wave action we sail and use the monitor wind vane.

[Tugwit]

I use a Simrad TP-32, installed in 2013 to replace an earlier Navico TP5500 and provide NMEA2000 connectivity.

It has worked very well to follow routes under power during summer cruises in the light-air Pacific Northwest. It plays well with my B&G MFD and also with OpenCPN on a PC.

It also works well under sail in light conditions. However, in heavy air I wouldn't rely on any electric-powered tiller steering unit--the pin-connection to the tiller isn't very robust, the power draw is significant, and the heavy steering forces would likely wear out the motor rapidly. A proper wind vane steering system would be preferable.

[carlosproa]

St2000 should do the trick.
You can get one for $500
A good idea is to balance your sailing to minimize battery consumption

[Tymadman]

Low cost remote controls are available for Raymarine tiller pilots too!