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There are many articles and posts in forums about these tiller autopilots but many are old and perhaps the gear has been improved since then.
So, the keeping the topic up to date and because I need one I would appreciate your opinions.
One of the questions, once the brand was selected is: would be better to go for one large model like the ST2000 instead of the ST1000?
Has the waterproofing improved on these autopilots?
Which brand have a better service?
Cheers Arthur

Hi Arthur;

Not much if anything has changed in the design of these devices for many years - certainly not in the past 13 years during which I have (and still do) owned both Raymarine and Simrad, so the older threads and comments are still very relevant.

Cheers, Graeme

Interesting what you are saying Graeme, I read this post in another forum, quote:

It depends on the vintage and model of the Raymarine course computer. I've gone through 6 generations now, (ST5000, 100, 100Gyro, S3, SPX30, and Evolution) and each one is better at course holding than the last. The ST5000 vintage would not steer off the wind in a seaway, oscillations would start and shortly thereafter it would give up. The first generation with gyros (100 Gyro) was a bit better, the next (S3) quite a lot better. The next two a bit better in each case. The fluxgate compass can contribute as it has to be pretty heavily damped to remove all the motion inside the can. The last two generation course computers will hold a very accurate course, downwind in a seaway, with the boat unbalanced, in all conditions, and never give up. The last one has the EV100 solid state MEMs, and is easier to calibrate and perhaps slightly more accurate steering. Downwind, the helm will react to the rising stern quarter prior to any yaw, just as you would if you were at the helm. I've no experience with the Pelagic, but I will say with conviction that if you haven't tried Raymarine's latest, you haven't tried Raymarine. There is a night and day difference between the old and the new. End of quote

Arthur;

Your initial post mentioned the ST1000 and ST2000 and that's what I responded to: the basic integral tiller pilots, and my comments are based on years of experience in their use and on my familiarity with the innards of both through DIY repairs
The higher end models you've now introduced are completely different and much more expensive animals.

Thank you for your clarification.
Do you think that the Pelagi will be more reliable and better built than the other 2 brands?
I am a bit concerned with I have read in some reviews but then again some times the malfunction can be because the autopilot was not used correctly.
Your inputs are appreciated, thank again.

Arthur;

Have a look at this discussion. It includes more from me.

https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f4 ... 41683.html

As always, the first question should be "what are you going to do with it?"

My answer (others please chime in!): Day sails, occasional 1 or 2 day coastal hops - an ST or TP. Multi-day coastal - an ST or TP (plus a spare if solo). Long coastal or ocean passages - a grown-up unit (Pelagic or Raymarine/Simrad equivalent, plus a windvane.

Cheers, Graeme

Hi Graeme,
The idea of having an autopilot is to be able to sailing solo on local Tasmanian waters and trips of 2 or 3 days.
Because my background my priorities when selecting a machine or electronic/mechanical device is reliability and well made.
Today I received an email from Scanmar for the standard Pelagic and is U$A 949 plus 95 for one remote. That is about 1We have to add shipping.
That is about $1440 in our currency.
Now I have to evaluate between the Pelagy and the ST2000

Arthur;

The Pelagic is reportedly a far better unit in all respects than any of the ST's or TP's, but some would say overkill for your purposes. For a TH, an ST1000 at about half that price would be quite adequate, so long as you have good sail trim and protect the unit from heavy inundation. When I bought my current ST2000+ about 5 years ago, Raymarine offered a 3 year global warranty if you registered it online. That means that if you can source a better price from O/S, you still get local support. Simrad did not offer this. That's also something to consider with the Pelagic, as they may not have local support.

As far as quality of manufacture goes, none of the ST's or TP's are anything like as well-made as my cheap cordless drill, despite being made in volume and costing about 10 times as much. A happy solution would be having a mate whose unit you could borrow as a back-up to yours.

Cheers, Graeme

Hi Grame, today talking with an experienced solo sailor he also tolme tha the ST1000 using it for casual saling is more than adequate specially if it is protected from the weather

And I can add that in rough weather you should check how hot the unit is.
If it feels hot remove it from service. I have seen too many units burn out from overworking.

In rough weather you should hand steer. I used my ST1000 at all other times except when close manoeuvring.

Other than that, an essential unit for the solo sailor. I called mine Hans!