"Sub $600 Autopilot" Progress

[sirlandsalot]

Hey Sir!

"Max" the tab out in the other direction, and see if it makes the boat turn to the left instead. Small changes in the trim tab angle can make big changes to the trim - I've never seen any that needed to be any where near full deflection, so it might be turned in the opposite direction to what it needs to be. I've seen that before.

Note it will change with the speed of the boat, so it will need to be set for the speed that you prefer. (It usually becomes more pronounced, and maybe more critical, at higher speeds).

-B.

Good Idea, why didn't I think of that!


Sorry for the high jack everybody.

[vkmaynard]

I would love to get one as well. Will it work with a NFB cable helm?

Today it will only work with the rack and pinion steering.

Victor

[Tumbleweed]

I'm ready to hear a drum-roll...

Is it soup yet ?

[Obelix]

It would certainly make a nice gift under the tree
Victor, is there at least a ballpark date for the release?
I'm still holding since this project started and ready to pull the trigger

Obelix

[Russ]

It would certainly make a nice gift under the tree
I'm still holding since this project started and ready to pull the trigger

+1

[March]

(hint, hint...)
Hold your breath.
Aaaack!

[Dirko]

When i am done, I will have a straight line vented ballast tank that vents into the chain locker - so 1/2 of the job will be done. The next step is deciding if I need to shut down that vent tube altogether - I assumed it was important because the factory has us putting a rubber stopper in the hole, so I assumed the vacuum seal was important, but I really don't know, so my intention was to have a ball valve right at the ballast hole where the hose comes out so that I could effectively seal the tank tight. I don't even know if that is necessary, but that's what I was sort of shooting for.)

Hey Boat,

I didn't see any comments on your discussion about the vacuum seal, but thought it was an important to discuss (even if a bit off-topic).
This year when we sailed across the lake the wind picked up to about 20 knots. We were on a downwind run so were trucking along and having a blast. We came to the end of the lake and turned on a beam reach. The boat heeled right over and got caught in weather helm. I was surprised at how quickly I had lost control, as we often sail in big winds and I can turn off wind before I lose control. It wasn't until I fired up the motor and tried to drain the water ballast that I realized the tank was almost empty. When I went looking for a cause I found that my mate had forgotten to put the vent plug back in after filling the tank. Without the plug, the tank had all but emptied while sailing down the lake. Good lesson for us.

I'd find a way to plug the vent cap from exhausting when you make your mod.

Craig

[BOAT]

Yes, I did do the mod - I used a 1-1/4 inch electric brass irrigation valve and mounted it on top of a submarine hatch and sealed the entire top of the vent bowl with 1/2 inch clear Lexan and gasketed bolts just like they do on submarines. Then i put a NEMA selector switch on the pedestal so I can open and close the vent from the helm. I used 1-1/4 inch (really big) hose from the big valve to the chain locker because I wanted that tank to drain fast when I popped the valve.

I did not post any pictures because I do everything the Navy way with big bolts and sealtite flex and large hoses and everyone makes fun of me when they see how I do things so I decided to not tell anyone so I would not get embarrassed. When The rain stops I will take a picture for you though.

[BOAT]

I want to get this back to the right subject (600 dollar autopilot) so i will take pictures today and post them on some other posting that relates to the vent hole.

In the meantime - about the autopilot - My wife and I really want to start traveling now - we are pretty accustomed to 'boat' now and have spent all our time out in the ocean and feel it's time to venture out further. Making two days travel at sea without an AP with only her and I on board is not gonna do at all. We need an AP.

It's been on the list for a while, but since I had no time to travel anyways I was not concerned. Also a lot of expensive things needed to be attended to (like our old 94 BMW 740 finally needed a replacement and our stove is busted and we needed a new TV and the microwave is on the blink all the while I have a kid in college with tuition bills and dorm rent), but it's time to get this AP thing taken care of.

So far the best AP setup I have seen on this site is the one fashioned by KADET - his tiller control pilot looks like the best thing. It's also a nice backup steering system in case your cable breaks. I am going to contact KADET and beg him with beer or whatever it takes to advise me so I can set up a system like his. Sorry about the helm steering pilot not being ready but I really need to get something working so I can get across the channel to the islands out here. I still think Victor has a great idea. I need to get 'boat' ready to make 60 to 70 mile ocean crossings to offshore islands.

When I find a proper post to put the ballast vent valve pictures I'll post the link here too.

[BOAT]

Here is the link back to the ballast vent:



http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... 56#p291152

[IslandRanger]

Hello All,
Well, we are in the same boat as Boat. We are going north for a month and would love the convenience of an AP. Is there any reason not to consider ( aside from cost) the Raymarine EV-100? Thanks

[Russ]

So far the best AP setup I have seen on this site is the one fashioned by KADET - his tiller control pilot looks like the best thing. It's also a nice backup steering system in case your cable breaks. I am going to contact KADET and beg him with beer or whatever it takes to advise me so I can set up a system like his. Sorry about the helm steering pilot not being ready but I really need to get something working so I can get across the channel to the islands out here. I still think Victor has a great idea. I need to get 'boat' ready to make 60 to 70 mile ocean crossings to offshore islands.

If I recall, when switched off, he forces the tiller pilot gears. This is not proper and I wouldn't recommend it. Just seems like trouble waiting to happen.
What I would do is fashion some kind of solenoid to engage/disengage the tiller pilot from the steering mechanism. A simple 12v car door lock might work. Punch a hole through the steering bar and have as sleeve over it with a solenoid ready to engage a pin. Not sure how to engineer it, but I bet it's doable.

Nothing as cool as Vic's device. I'll wait, but winter months would be perfect to install gadgets.

[BOAT]

So far the best AP setup I have seen on this site is the one fashioned by KADET - his tiller control pilot looks like the best thing. It's also a nice backup steering system in case your cable breaks. I am going to contact KADET and beg him with beer or whatever it takes to advise me so I can set up a system like his. Sorry about the helm steering pilot not being ready but I really need to get something working so I can get across the channel to the islands out here. I still think Victor has a great idea. I need to get 'boat' ready to make 60 to 70 mile ocean crossings to offshore islands.

If I recall, when switched off, he forces the tiller pilot gears. This is not proper and I wouldn't recommend it. Just seems like trouble waiting to happen.
What I would do is fashion some kind of solenoid to engage/disengage the tiller pilot from the steering mechanism. A simple 12v car door lock might work. Punch a hole through the steering bar and have as sleeve over it with a solenoid ready to engage a pin. Not sure how to engineer it, but I bet it's doable.

Nothing as cool as Vic's device. I'll wait, but winter months would be perfect to install gadgets.

Yes, I will indeed modify the installation to include a way to remove it from the rudder. It could be something as simple as our rudder hold downs (pulling on a rope attached to a pulley that yanks the power arm back against the block), to something as complicated as a solenoid mounted on a slide bar. I will work that out after I have some idea what the equipment looks like in operation.

KADET says that it's okay to steer with the pilot engaged and mastreb says it's okay too and that he seldom ever steers anymore because he uses the pilot 99%

Still, like you said, I think i will opt to put in a way to engage and disengage from the cockpit.

I'm more concerned about the power consumption more than anything else - 70 miles from land is not the place I want to be worrying about my batteries. I hope mastreb can help me calculate the power draw and a solution. But first I need a unit so I can measure a power draw in the first place!! I have no unit!!

[RobertB]

I installed the tiller version of the RayMarine autopilot. Yes, when manual steering, you are pushing the gears. There is no way to disengage unless you go underneath back to the steering setup (and I have installed a quick way to do this). I discussed this with RayMarine and they said this would not be an issue with the mechanism, just add a bit of drag to the wheel steering. Nothing is free.

[DaveB]

How long can one hold a breath after 6 years of development and still stay under?
I have waited 6 yrs for Vic's autopilot and just installed new uflex roter steering. Will install Raymarine tiller 1000 with back arm to the Ubar.
I will have to quick release motor arm to rudders under sail but so does the wheel auto helm.
Remote control will be auto but one must release bar from steering to release autopilot.
Just bend aft over seat and lift up the rod.
Good for long sailing tracks with remote.
I disconnect the motor to rudders only on long sailing trips over 5 miles under sail only. (5- 300 miles)
Steering is much easier and always under sail w/autopilot.
My motor is connected with a arm and long bolt that it slips over and easy connect, no nut to bolt.
When I want to just use rudders I just lift on engine rod arm and disconnects and rests on sway arm.
Same way a Tiller Mounted Autopilot works.
Redneck way of getting ur done.

Dave

(hint, hint...)
Hold your breath.
Aaaack!