Autopilot installation help

[slimbo]

Anyone have any ideas on how to mount a autopilot like the ST 2000 to a small cat that only has a tiller bar ,I'll get a better pic of tiller bar up soon

[DougR]

Pelagic autopilot.

[mark_morwood]

It would be helpful to see a picture from above, but I'd suggest just connecting the tiller end of the AP to one of the tiller arms, or even to the cross bar. I suspect the problem will just be finding somewhere that the unit itself isn't in the way of something else. You'll probably have to make/modify the mounting brackets for both the tiller end and the base unit end. As an example, for attaching to the cross-bar you could just clamp a block of plastic or wood to the cross-bar with hose clamps and install the mounting pin into the block.

[Franziska]

Sure. Here is what we use.

It's the slightly larger St4000+ with separate control head though.

The rope acts as a clutch. When you pull the Dyneema line tought it blocks the aft end of the autopilot. Press auto, and it starts doing its thing. If you need to go back to manual, slacken the line and press standby.

This way, we do not need to climb on the transom to engage or disengage when offshore.

In close quarters, I simply unhook the pilot from the steel hinge.

The steel hinge allows the ram to act longitudinal and not transverse, therefore not impeding Dinghy launching.

Here is a video:

https://we.tl/t-5gB7vnG49N

[Franziska]

Originally Posted by mark_morwood

It would be helpful to see a picture from above, but I'd suggest just connecting the tiller end of the AP to one of the tiller arms, or even to the cross bar. I suspect the problem will just be finding somewhere that the unit itself isn't in the way of something else. You'll probably have to make/modify the mounting brackets for both the tiller end and the base unit end. As an example, for attaching to the cross-bar you could just clamp a block of plastic or wood to the cross-bar with hose clamps and install the mounting pin into the block.

If he does connect to the crossbar, the maximum way a tillerpilot arm can extend will not suffice for meaningful rudder angles....

[carlosproa]

You can set it up on the port or stbd side.this is how I have it on my EDELCAT33. It works well except tacking feature is too short and too fast as I have hung barn style rudders and they need to be tacked very slowly and deliberate

[carlosproa]

I will take a picture this weekend if I go tit he boat. Flying back tonight to Miami from Boston, so not sure if I am up to it