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Tiller pilot use with windvane

  • January 30, 2012 9:06 AM
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    Message # 810815
    Anonymous member

    Bud,

    I do not know if this has ever been discussed before, but I was wondering if you had any experience with using a tiller pilot in conjuction with a windvane. The most recent issue of Sail had an article about windvanes that mentioned this. My understanding is that there are no tiller pilots currently manufactured that are robust enough or practical for the W32 due to the forces on the tiller. Using the mechanical advantage of a vane, would this still be the case?
  • January 30, 2012 12:08 PM
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    Reply # 810968 on 810815
    Anonymous member
    I've seen pictures of a tiller pilot hooked up to the blade of a Monitor wind vane.  

    But what's the point?  Why not let the wind vane steer by itself?  That's what it's made for.

    Usually, steering a constant angle to the wind serves your purpose as well as a constant magnetic or GPS heading.  
     


  • January 30, 2012 12:12 PM
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    Reply # 810975 on 810815
    Anonymous member
    I've seen pictures of a tiller pilot hooked up to the blade of a Monitor wind vane.  But what's the point?  Why not let the wind vane steer by itself? 

    Usually, steering a constant angle to the wind serves your purpose as well as a constant magnetic or GPS heading.  If a major wind shift comes, you'll need lots of sail adjustments anyhow, a course adjustment too doesn't add much.
     
  • January 30, 2012 1:23 PM
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    Reply # 811070 on 810815
    Kevin Donahue

    I've done that on a boat I previously owned.  The autopilot activated the windvane blade and used a lot less power then when it is trying to push/pull the tiller.  The arrangement was helpful when motoring against strong currents/seas as the windvane was MUCH more powerful than the tillermaster tiller pilot.

    We also used this arrangement a couple times when there was a following breeze that was too light for the windvane blade to sense.  Running more or less straight down wind or wing and wing.

    I'm currently using a Raymarine SPX-5 Plus tiller pilot on my W28.  It is working exceptionally well, there is another model called the SPX-5GP that is more powerful that may work on a W32.

    Kevin

    Last modified: January 30, 2012 1:29 PM | Kevin Donahue
  • January 30, 2012 9:24 PM
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    Reply # 811428 on 810815
    Anonymous member

    Ahoy Frank,

    The new Ray Marine X5 (or the GP model),  the predecessors of this model, the Simrad TP32, and the ancient Tiller Master from 35 years ago, will all steer the W-32.   Believe me.

    Good luck,     Dave
  • January 31, 2012 9:21 AM
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    Reply # 811814 on 810815
    Anonymous member

    Dave,

    So you use the tiller pilot without a windvane? I would be very interested in your opinion, even though I don't expect to do the kind of blue water sailing you have done anytime real soon.

    Frank
  • January 31, 2012 5:46 PM
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    Reply # 812250 on 810815
    Anonymous
    I use a Simrad TP32 for sailing and motoring here off the Oregon coast. It has had no problem steering the boat while sailing in winds up to 25k. I also have an Aries vane but I'm usually too lazy to rig it so just end up using the tillerpilot for daysails.
  • February 01, 2012 8:17 AM
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    Reply # 813541 on 810815
    Anonymous member

    Frank,

    When sailing locally, I only use the tiller pilot.  Off shore I use the Aries windvane.  However, when offshore, I use the tiller pilot when motoring with no wind. 

    Racing is different.  I used a Ray Marine X5 on the last trip to Hawaii to insure minimal yawing.  After all, it was a race.  I used the windvane on the trip back.  In 2008 I returned from Hawaii using mostly a Simrad TP32. (on a different W-32)

    Part of the reason that these tiller pilots work on the W-32, when they are not recommended by the manufacturer, is because they are not mounted as recommended.  As an example:  It is recommended that the Ray Marine X5 be mounted 18" from the tiller head.  This is not practical on the W-32.  If mounted at about 36" then the steering load is reduced substantially.  This location is much more convenient and  offers more than enough  tiller movement.

    Dave
  • February 02, 2012 6:30 AM
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    Reply # 814497 on 810815
    Deleted user

    Hi Dave,

    I have the forerunner to the X-5 which, I believe, was designated as the GP with the same specs. It has served me well since I installed it in 2000 with the exception of the tiller pin wallowing out the mounting hole in the tiller during offshore passages. I think the problem is solved by this fitting kindly made for me by a family member who is a precision machinist although I have yet to do an extended offshore sea trial with this setup.At any rate, I have always been a  little uncomfortable with the forces on the tiller when installed as per the manual and would love to see a picture of your set up with the pin mounted at 36 " off the centerline of the rudder. I agree with your evaluation that this autopilot will steer the boat under most conditions.

    Regards,

    Werner

    Note the set screw allowing the pin height to be adjusted.

     

    Last modified: February 05, 2012 5:29 AM | Deleted user
  • February 07, 2012 3:01 PM
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    Reply # 818687 on 810815
    Anonymous member

    Frank,

    I have some pictures of a tillerpilot mounted on a windvane if you want them.

    Page D-13 of my Westsail Service describes mounting a tillerpilot on a Westsail 32.,