J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum The Boat, Sails and Equipment Anyone using a Simrad TP22?

I've got one of these on order for my 1982 boat. Would love to know what extensions or mounts are needed for installation (I'm in Atlanta, boat is in Charleston).

Thanks,

-Dan

I have the TP10 mounted by the book. If I were to remount it, I would install the drive mounts further forward (relative to the boat). This would give a slower response because the AP arm would need to travel further, but the load on the helm is just so great that it would give my little light duty TP10 more of a fighting chance. It's just not a super heavy duty AP like the inboard units. It doesn't love that big load. I think the AP load of the boat due to the unbalanced rudder is more like a 40 footer for the purposes of rudder loading

I've been contemplating a Raymarine tiller pilot. Does anyone have recommendations on this?

I went with the Simrad TP22 over the Raymarine for the following reasons:

1) cheaper - i could get a more powerful pilot for the same money. With the unbalanced rudder causing a heavy helm, I expect I will need it (I also plan to mount it further forward)

2) non-proprietary signals - by my understanding, the Raymarine serious only works with data from other Raymarine hardware (steer to wind, steer to course). The simrad works with the Simnet signals, AND standard NMEA signals (so I can hook it up to my garmin GPS and non-simrad wind gauge)

I have a ST2000 and it works well. I just delivered the boat from the NA's and it steered well in 20+ knots on the nose with steep chop in buzzards bay. I feel like I have been in a boxing match but it kept on going. I went with the 2000 for more power due to the unbalanced rudder. The ability to steer is directly related to how well you balance the boat. I find you have to reef earlier with a tiller pilot.

I think they are both good units - I went with Raymarine because I replaced one and the mounts were all in place.

David
#397



[This message has been edited by dbows (edited 09-23-2008).]

David,

Are the ST2000 mounts identical to the ST1000+? My ST1000 is starting to "grown" and I think the plastic gears inside are on their last legs. I'd like to get something with a little more torque than the ST1000 for just the reasons you state.

Tnx - Bill

Depending on how old the ST1000 is you might have to re-wire it but the pin locations and fitting on the tiller are all the same. I had to change out the plug but that was easy.

David
#397

My original tillerpilot was a tp20 and it crapped out after 8 years of service, I ordered a tp22 and will install it when the weather gets a bit warmer, all hardware and wiring comes with it, so follow the instructions. I only use mine while motoring and putting up the main sail as it takes a lot of power to operate the tiller under sail. I installed my original tp about 6-8" forward of the aft edge of the starboard seat hatch and then line up the extension arm over to the tiller to place the engagement pin. If you are using it and hear a beeping sound, the battery power supply is getting low and it will turn off, even if motoring - so keep your batteries charged.

Is anyone using the Simrad TP22, and also has it hooked up to a GPS for Nav mode?

I'm getting some funny results with this (sometimes works fine, sometimes throws crazy-Ivan's) and hoping to compare notes.

I feel like it might be the way I'm setting up the routes in the Garmin, but the manual is sparse.