Cape Horn - My new best friend

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  • December 20, 2011 6:40 AM
    Message # 777933
    Deleted user
    We just finished crossing the southern end of the Sea of Cortez from La Paz to Mazatlan, MX.  The sea conditions for the last half of the trip were deplorable: large swells, very close together with the occasional even-larger swell.  All hitting us either directly un the beam or just aft of the beam.  NOT the type of duty my Simrad TP-32 autopilot signed on for.  Fortunately, last month in La Paz I had rerigged the lines on my Cape Horn windvane and studied up on how the darn thing works.  First day out, I set it up and it steered beautifully.  The day I set it up, the winds were light (5-7 knots) and coming from the port quarter.  Later in the trip, the winds had piped up to (estimating) 10-15 and were still coming from the quarter.  Later, a slight course change put us dead downwind.  The Cape Horn steered beautifully through it all.  When we were approaching Mazatlan and I finally relieved him of his duties and took over hand-steering, I found out just what a tough job he had. It was real work to keep on course!

    Since the Toucana model that was designed for the W32 is built to mount on a boomkin and Siempre Sabado (W28) has no boomkin, I have the Varuna model.  Just for the record.

    Now that I have the unit up and running, I really wish I'd worked harder on getting it operational before we left the US.  That first night out of Newport, OR, when our autopilot wouldn't work, would have been a lot nicer if we hadn't had to hand-steer.  From now on, if there's any wind and it's direction is pretty steady, the Simrad is going to be my back-up system, NOT my primary one.  
     
    Westsail Steering gear  For members this link will show you many variations on steering gear.
    Last modified: December 21, 2011 4:19 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
  • October 31, 2013 7:25 PM
    Reply # 1425864 on 777933
    Deleted user
    Stephen, I also have a Cape Horn but have yet to install an autopilot.  I am skeptical about the RAYMARINE unit and am leaning towards the SIMRAD TP32.  What can you tell me about the installation?  Any tips on geometry vis a vis the tiller?  Can you send me a few photos?  Thanks, Tom Koehl
  • November 01, 2013 1:36 AM
    Reply # 1425935 on 777933
    Deleted user
    Thomas,
    Just my 2 cents, and I know you weren't asking but I'll have to second that on the Simrad unit. Seems to be better equiptment as I believe most will agree.
    An added kick for me is that in the near future I will be buying all new Simrad nav gear to compliment my Simrad TP32.
  • November 04, 2013 11:14 AM
    Reply # 1427622 on 777933
    Here is a link to a photo of my installation.  I would post it, but don't want to spend the time learning the proceedure.
    Last modified: November 05, 2013 7:05 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
  • November 04, 2013 4:15 PM
    Reply # 1427805 on 777933
    Deleted user
    Rich,
    Your link doesn't work, I think posting a link may be complicated as I have not had success posting links.
  • November 05, 2013 7:06 AM
    Reply # 1428128 on 777933

    Carl,

    You can view Rich's link by copying(ctrl C) and pasting(ctrl V) into the address bar.

    Rich,

    You can make the link clickable by selecting the link tool on the toolbar at the top of the post window.

     

    scott

  • November 05, 2013 12:44 PM
    Reply # 1428415 on 777933
    can I post photos easily?


    Anyway,  my autopilot is mounted on the caprail just before the caprail dips down to deck level.  it is parallel with the teak board in front of the lazarette hatch.

    Here is the link to the photo.  

  • November 05, 2013 1:50 PM
    Reply # 1428468 on 1428128
    Deleted user
    Harry Caskey wrote:

    Carl,

    You can view Rich's link by copying(ctrl C) and pasting(ctrl V) into the address bar.

    Rich,

    You can make the link clickable by selecting the link tool on the toolbar at the top of the post window.

     

    scott


    I can't find control v.



  • November 06, 2013 6:21 AM
    Reply # 1428911 on 777933
    Deleted user
    Thomas,
    In the top photo on this thread you can see my TP32.  It.s on the starboard rail just forward of the caprail dip.  It's got it's snazzy Lulu-made green Sunbrella cover on it and it's safety leash holding it to the top rail of the stern pulpit.  I mounted it exactly as Simrad says which is with the pin 18" from the rudder head.  I know Bud recommends mounting it further away so that the autopilot has better leverage and doesn't have to work so hard.  However, in my case other stuff got in the way so I stuck with the original owner's set-up when I switched autopilots (killed my first one with my SSB radio - but that's another story).  So far, other than not being able to keep a course when the seas are steep and close together and hitting the bow from the side, the Simrad has worked great.  It's mounting means that it doesn't have to travel very far, like fractions of an inch, to maintain course under most conditions.

    Remember, though, if you have a W32, my boat only weighs about 2/3 of what yours does.

    -Steve
  • November 06, 2013 8:05 AM
    Reply # 1429018 on 777933
    Deleted user

    Anyone know what the displacement rating is for TP32?

     

    Jim

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