Autopilot on a 301 ?

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   Hi !
I am thinking of installing an autopilot in my 301.  Does anyone have any experiance of  this ? How well do they perform in boat like this ? After all it behaves almost like a Dinghy.  Which autopilots have you installed ?

Have a nice weekend !

Niclas

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Nicce Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Sub Lieutenant Joined: 06 January 2009 Status: Offline Points: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote Nicce Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Autopilot on a 301 ? Posted: 15 January 2010 at 20:38
	Hi ! I am thinking of installing an autopilot in my 301. Does anyone have any experiance of this ? How well do they perform in boat like this ? After all it behaves almost like a Dinghy. Which autopilots have you installed ? Have a nice weekend ! Niclas

sailingfree Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commander Joined: 20 May 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 103	Post Options Post Reply Quote sailingfree Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 January 2010 at 09:59
	Hi Niclas, I have been using a Simrad TP32 for two years now. the unit works well enough in moderate conditions, but does not steer at all well when on a run. Like any tiller pilot it took a while to tune it to the boat. As you say, the 301 is quite sensitive. Installation was easy enough since all the cables were already installed as part of the standard wiring loom on the starboard side of the stern locker. There have been a couple of problems which needed looking at: First, make sure that the rudder bearings are not siezed - there have been other posts about this, and secondly, make sure the bolt holding the tiller to the rudder stock is tight. If there is any play in the tiller at all, steering will not be as accurate as it should since the TP will make small adjustemtns which are not transmitted to the rudder. Edited by sailingfree - 16 January 2010 at 11:35

sailingfree Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commander Joined: 20 May 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 103	Post Options Post Reply Quote sailingfree Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 19 January 2010 at 22:56
	I have taken some pictures to show you how I mounted the TP32. The mounting on the cockpit side was made from some greenheart wood I had lying around - very hard and durable, but any hardwood would work just as well. I needed an extension to the TP32 and the tiller bracket - both from Simrad. I remove the TP every time I leave the boat, I know it is meant to be waterproof but I don't see any point in leaving in the the rain all the time.

Gulliver Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commander Joined: 14 December 2007 Location: Isle Of Man Status: Offline Points: 82	Post Options Post Reply Quote Gulliver Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 20 January 2010 at 23:01
	Hello Niclas. I have a Simrad TP30 on my 301 and its fine for most of our sailing, reaching and beating. but not accurate or fast enough for downwind in sharp seas.Of course it is a great help motoring in smooth to moderate seas to free up the helmsman for other tasks.Single handed it is good to be able to motor holding direct into the wind when raising and lowering the mainsail.My set up is a little different to Sailing Free. I have the nipple for the tiller end mounted on top of the tiller and the circular mounting block at the other end bolted onto the cockpit seat.This is only about 1cm thick so is not in the way when the pilot is lifted off.The height to keep the pilot approx level is achieved with a short (approx8 cm) spacer supplied by Simrad.The unit has been reliable for 4 years.My previous TP 10 was not as good so I changed to the bigger unit. David
	David

holby Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral of the Fleet Joined: 18 February 2006 Location: Isle of Man Status: Offline Points: 2287	Post Options Post Reply Quote holby Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26 January 2010 at 15:34
	Hi Niclas, I have a Raymarine SP1 on mine. The first thing you need to do is to confirm the weight of the 301 plus all your gear then add approx 33% on top, this will give you the displacement weight you need to look for with the tiller pilots. As far as my memory is concerned the Simrad TP30 ( new SP32) deals with a displacement weight of about 5 tonnes similar to my Raymarine SP1 or the new SPX 5, mine has a standard size display rather than a small display on the tiller pilot unit. YOu really must have the unit for at least 5 tones for a 301 as the others do not seem to be man enough for the job. I have found my Raymarine unit to be great reaching beating and also on some downwind seas, but you need to adjust the response level for this. I have used this unit in all seas including heavy seas and it is most reliable, you can set it on a heading, or set it to the wind or on a route, all in all I find usefull in points of sailing. It has given me 3 yrs good reliable service up to now ( touch wood). One thing that Gulliver mentioned and to me it is a must is to keep the tiller pilot level, either by a spacer and then a fine adjustment on the tiller it's self with the adjustement screw if you don't then you will put strain on the drive. The most important advice from me is to get a tiller pilot that is man enough for the job do not save a few pence and get a smaller one. Dave
	Hanse 301, tiller steering, Volvo 2010 (10hp)

martinem Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Sub Lieutenant Joined: 24 May 2011 Location: Sweden Status: Offline Points: 7	Post Options Post Reply Quote martinem Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 July 2014 at 18:40
	Here is my detachable arrangement.
	mrtn

Frandy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Sub Lieutenant Joined: 29 July 2009 Location: Gosport Status: Offline Points: 19	Post Options Post Reply Quote Frandy Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 July 2014 at 18:55
	Hi I have the Raymarine fitted I used a local fabricator that made me a base plate disc that screws to the starboard seat and into this screws the Raymarine pedastel stem when not in use it is removed used existing wiring which worked well
	Andy

Taylor Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Captain Joined: 02 December 2013 Location: North Wales Status: Offline Points: 180	Post Options Post Reply Quote Taylor Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 14 July 2014 at 14:09
	Ours is installed directly into the top of the cockpit coaming with the standard socket that is supplied with the kit. The pushrod has then been extended to make up for the additional distance. It sits on top of the tiller rather than underneath. Seems to work and is a simpler install than all the others have shown.
	Hanse 301 Bluenote 11



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