Am I missing parts on my autopilot?
Posted by Next-Juggernaut7404@reddit | sailing | View on Reddit | 27 comments
My new boat came with a brand new ST2000+, I’ve never used one before since my previous boat had a wheel at the helm. As far as I’ve read, this unit is supposed to be pretty decent, so I’m quite happy it was in the cabinet when going through the boat.
However I’m a bit confused regarding the installation. The picture shows the parts I can find on the boat. The cable is installed in the cockpit, and the bronze bushing I guess is for the ap itself. But how to actually attach it to the tiller? There’s no bracket or holes or the like on the tiller.
So what am I missing? And also what are your thoughts on this device in general?
Much appreciated, thanks in advance
wann_bubatz_egal@reddit
The knob on the silver thin should fit in a hole near the top of the tiller pilot. Near the bottom of the tiller pilot, there should be a pin which I suppose will fit into the small bronze part. Attach the silver part to the tiller and the bronze part to some place in the cockpit roughly at the same level of the tiller.
Next-Juggernaut7404@reddit (OP)
The brass bushing fits the end of the unit, and the stainless pin fits…. So so in the other end. It doesn’t snap in place just rests somewhat loose
IanSan5653@reddit
Yes, loose is correct. When that pin is installed in the rudder facing up, gravity holds the autopilot onto the tiller. All the forces are to the side. The loose fit makes it easy to attach and detach quickly.
checkpointGnarly@reddit
I have pretty much the same unit, I’ve never used it but my tiller handle will naturally fall down to the cockpit floor when not in use. I always thought it was supposed to click into place so the tiller handle doesn’t just fall away from the autohelm.
So in order to use it I need to tighten the tiller enough that gravity won’t just let it fall down eh?
IanSan5653@reddit
Yeah your tiller should typically rest on some block so that it doesn't fall to the floor.
Next-Juggernaut7404@reddit (OP)
I see! I hade the idea that the pin would be situated under the tiller facing downward. This makes more sense. Thanks
wann_bubatz_egal@reddit
My pin is actually installed under the tiller, facing upward, though with some metal piece similar to the one here: https://corribee.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/raymarine1.jpg
It came with the boat that way and I kind of like it, as the attachment point is not in the way and also a bit protected. But unless your tiller is straight, this kind of part probably needs to be custom made to match the curve of the tiller.
DissonantCloud@reddit
sounds like you need to install the pin onto the tiller and the bushing to hold the unit. go to the installation instructions: https://www.raymarine.com/en-us/download/st1000-st2000-tiller-drive-manuals
whyrumalwaysgone@reddit
RTFM should be the top comment haha
Next-Juggernaut7404@reddit (OP)
Thank you 🙏
alex1033@reddit
There must be a pin firmly fixed to a coaming or a seat in the cockpit; the thick end of the autohelm drive clips on it. There must be a bracket with another pin, the drive shaft clips there. That's it. Just make sure you have a correctly matching bracket - there's a variety of them.
zk-cessnaguy@reddit
The stainless pin with the ball on the end is epoxied into your tiller and then push fits into the black plastic end of the tillerpilots’s arm. The instructions will give you the correct position for this.
Next-Juggernaut7404@reddit (OP)
Thanks, unfortunately there was no instruction or manual on the boat for it. Your instructions makes sense, I just thought the pin would “snap” in place, I just rests in the hole. Felt weird to me when looking at the design
NorbertIsAngry@reddit
Just download the manuals, they are easily available from their website.
https://teledyne.app.box.com/s/rvhycb6x1brzo64921k5tsqwv2ica3j6/file/3273044173?sb=/details
https://teledyne.app.box.com/s/rvhycb6x1brzo64921k5tsqwv2ica3j6/file/3273041485
Next-Juggernaut7404@reddit (OP)
Awesome thanks
FutureConsistent8611@reddit
https://www.raymarine.com/en-gb/our-products/boat-autopilots/autopilot-packs/st1000-st2000
That site has a clear picture of how you can uae that pin you already have, without the bracket. The mounting pedestal also isn't included in de the set it seems? That would look something like this
FutureConsistent8611@reddit
It works really well, kept in place mostly by gravity. If you google for raymarine tiller pin bracket you get a ton of mounting brackets e.g. this one
lopiontheop@reddit
I had the same unit. I think you can also buy some different mounts for the tiller depending on where it should be mounted. Every tiller and cockpit setup are different so some people mount the pin on the top, bottom, etc.
Next-Juggernaut7404@reddit (OP)
Thanks 🙏
lopiontheop@reddit
To answer your other question, the unit worked quite well on my 29' sloop. Follow the installation instructions carefully and you'll be fine. I have seen them mounted on some much more serious boats than mine, too.
Next-Juggernaut7404@reddit (OP)
Thanks!! Initially I thought about getting a windpilot but this my suffice
twrodriguez@reddit
Confirmed. There are different length bracket / adapters for the tiller arm due to different shape of tiller and mount height for the arm like this one
https://defender.com/en_us/simrad-tiller-arm-adapter-bracket
The brass cup goes vertical either in your bench, cockpit coaming, or decks depending on your boat, and it supports the steel pin on the plastic auto pilot unit so you can remove the unit when not in use. The steel pin slots into the driving ram of the pilot. The mount position needs to be such that the autopilot is level when in use, there should be a diagram with the unit.
FutureConsistent8611@reddit
You're right, our previous boat had a bracket instead.
Nephroidofdoom@reddit
Looks right to me.
Note that you can buy a bunch of different mounts for the ball joint, as well as extensions for the tiller arm.
Tip: Simrad Tillerpilot accessories are interchangeable with Raymarine’s
Glenbard@reddit
I’ve never owned a boat with a tiller; however, I’m just as stumped as you. It seems like there should be a bracket or something that attaches to the tiller arm…. Unless that female nut-style connection at the top connects to the arm… stupid question, did you check the tiller for a similar female end that a two-way bolt could be screwed in or is there a bolt sticking out that could screw into?
Anyway, I’m zero help but commenting so your question gains more traction.
Next-Juggernaut7404@reddit (OP)
You get a like nonetheless:) yeah I did a thorough inspection on the tiller, nothing too see
planeray@reddit
The silver bit is what needs to get attached to the tiller. You'll need to carefully measure and find the right spot on the tiller to put it. Actually attaching it will depend so much on your tiller. With a wooden one, you might be able to drill a hole and attach with epoxy, a metal tiller might mean welding it in place and an oddly shaped tiller might mean coming up with a bracket to put it at the right location. What works on your boat probably won't work on anyone else's.