In another discussion of autopilots, one respondent suggested that the question was akin to "how long is a piece of string". This question is very similar! What is your expectation for a autopilot? Should it be able to steer the boat to windward with a 165% genoa with winds at 25 kts apparent? No, I don't think that an autopilot will do that for very long. On the other hand, do you expect that the pilot should be able to steer the boat under motor when it's mill-pond calm? In this case the answer is yes. If you want to use a tiller pilot, you do need to spend a little time finding out how to balance the rig to lower the tiller loads. A J/30 does have significant tiller loads esp if the sails are old and baggy. You can moderate this force with early sail changes and use of the running rigging adjustments.
