SERVICE
Installing an Auto Helm
Installing an autopilot is something you can do on your own if you are at all handy at wiring. A Simrad TP 30 is what we recommend. It has lower battery drain and is faster than others. You want to get a remote control with the tiller pilot as you will want to be able to make adjustments. If your boat is an aft cabin this is really a must otherwise you will find yourself climbing back over the cabin too often. We can get you the right brackets for your boat. One thing to keep in mind when installing a tiller pilot is magnetic interference from the outboard. You have to weigh whether keeping one side free of clutter is better. It seems from our experiences that some outboards interfere more than others. Move the tiller pilot from one side to the other. You may find as we have that an engine which is running creates more interference. That sometimes is balanced by the fact that when the engine is down it will be further away from the tiller pilot.
You will need the right tiller bracket and pedestal bracket. these vary for all the Corsair models. In most cases the tiller pilot will attach under the tiller and be out of the way. If you can install the tiller pilot while your boat is on land it is a little easier. though it is certainly not worth pulling your boat out. The following is a list of the tools you will want to have to install the tiller pilot.
Begin by running the wires. you will want to put the outlet for the remote near your circuit breaker panel. be certain to make the power wires going back to the auto helm long enough that you can remove the panel and pull out the socket. Solder the ends of the wires to improve their conductivity. Once you attach the auto helm and are sure that it is getting power you may want to see if it gets much interference from the outboard. You can check this if you have installed the wiring but have not yet installed the bracket. Be sure it is in autopilot mode and move it closer or further from the outboard without changing it's angle in relation to magnetic North. Do this while keeping it perpendicular to the centerline of the boat. If you get magnetic interference it will adjust. You can also check that it is functioning properly by slightly changing its angle in relation to magnetic North. Once you are happy with the function of the auto helm you can silicone the outlet for the tiller pilot in place.
Mount the bracket using marine sealant at the base. be sure to put plenty of silicone in the screw holes and use fender washers on the inside.
Go sailing on a light to moderate day without rough seas and adjust the gain on the tiller pilot. On a rougher day you can then adjust the sea-state. The tiller pilot can hang down from its pedestal when not in use. Turn it off at the circuit breaker when you are not using it. when you are going to use it turn on the circuit breaker. in manual mode adjust it so it lines up with the bracket and then snap it down on the ball fitting. Be sure that it snaps down rather than just rests on the ball as it may work for a while.
Always maintain a watch while using the tiller pilot. Have the remote in reach so you can switch to manual mode and make necessary adjustments.
If you have questions I have found the folks at Simrad to be quite helpful: (800) 426-5565
If you connect the TP 30 to your GPS it tends to work fine
when motoring but will tend to pinch as it trys to sail a true course rather
than simply maintain a magnetic heading. The thicker gauge wires you use the
better. Simrad has a really good phone support line as well if you have
questions.