Autopilots

[omgitsgela]

I've been sailing for a while, and mostly solo on a few different boats. One of the problems I have is it is very hard to point into the wind for setting or striking sail, controlling the tiller and the sails at once. There's usually an awkward dance where the tiller is between my legs, the halyard is in one hand, and the sail in another.

A friend of mine suggested a tiller pilot of some sort, but I have never used such fancy technology (I am a traditional sailor, so I don't know these things).

For a Catalina 25, which tiller pilot should I be looking at, considering I haven't robbed a bank recently and don't have a ton of money.

[barnakiel]

Look up the specs but I think the smallest Ray tiller unit will do. (boat 25 I assume tiller then). Also Simrad makes a similar small unit.

However, sailing a 26' boat I often (if there is enough open water around) do all sail hoists/drops and changes without help from the AP - many designs will sail balance upwind without need for AP.

b.

[CaptainRoss76]

From an experienced marine engineer and delivery skipper;

Fit lazy jacks -- if not already got,
hove to
drop main sail
enjoy your traditional way of sailing with out AP ;-)
hope this helps

[Stu Jackson]

An autopilot will not only help you as discussed, but will improve your sail trim abilities - when the AP gets cranky you need to improve sail trim or reef. (Heck this is the second time in the last hour I typed this!).

You should get to know these skippers:

Association Forum - Catalina 25 Specific Forum

A Raymarine ST1000 would "do" but the ST2000 would be better - it's more powerful and has a different and better motor/assembly.

[Ken43]

I second the Raymarine ST2000. I have one on my Pacific Seacraft Flcka 20 and love it. Didn't think I needed it until I got it.